[Sarah M.]

Research shows that gay teens are four to six times as likely to commit suicide than their straight peers. Schools, parents, churches and other social institutions have historically not given this sad fact the attention it deserves, resulting in unforgiveable suffering and loss of life. Today things are slowly changing. Many public schools, particularly in large areas, now have supportive programs for GLBT students and educational units on sexuality and sexual orientation for all students. Although homophobic parents might not like it, this is the direction of progress. Both straight and gay teens benefit from having gay role models, but for gay teens, your presence may be a lifesaver.

User Detail :  

Name : Sarah M., Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Lutheran, Age : 27, City : Fort Collins, State : CO, Country : United States, Occupation : School Counseling Grad Student, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Sarah M.]

Sorry, Mike, but your argument reads like a badly written GRE logic question (that’s the admissions test for grad school). The more research we do on human personality, the more of a genetic component we find in just about everything people do (sense of humor, life satisfaction, irritability, experience of love, sexual orientation, etc.). Check out Authentic Happiness by Martin Seligman, M.D. for the latest research on what we can and can’t change about ourselves. It’s true that certain family dynamics are often present in a GLBT child’s family (and the religious right makes a big deal out of these ‘patterns’). This still doesn’t mean that sexual orientation is a choice. Generally, family relationships lose their formative influence on a child’s unconscious behavior, probably including sexuality, at around age 6 or so (read Alfred Adler for more info.). Children carry these unconscious ‘scripts’ into adolescense and adulthood, but are usually unaware of how this early (and very strong) programming affects their behavior and personality.

Even if you reject the notion that genetics don’t play any part in sexual orientation, you still cannot say that a 6-year-old can examine messages and feelings he or she is not even aware of to make a choice about sexual orientation. Even independent of genetics, your ‘choice’ argument just doesn’t hold.

User Detail :  

Name : Sarah M., Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Lutheran, Age : 27, City : Fort Collins, State : CO, Country : United States, Occupation : School Counseling Grad Student, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Sarah M.]

There are several Lutheran demonimations in America (ELCA, LCMS, Wisconsin Synod, and a few others) with different stances on gay-ness. The largest by far, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), welcomes gays into fellowship. Please specify what Lutheran church you are from. Don’t lump them all together. It is important for GLBT folks to know there is a safe and welcoming place they can worship and express their faith.

User Detail :  

Name : Sarah M., Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Lutheran, Age : 27, City : Fort Collins, State : CO, Country : United States, Occupation : School Counseling Grad Student, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

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