gay marriage vs teen suicide
I read this article in the paper a few months ago, and thought it fit well with what's going on right now.
Wisconsin newspaper (possibly Associated Press)
ANOTHER CAUSE OF TEEN ANGST
I was surprised to note in Monday's article on teen suicide that you failed to mention sexual orientation as a possible cause of youth suicides. Young teens who are questioning their sexual orientation may fear they have no one to turn to. Taking their lives may appear to them as their only way out.
What can we do to try to prevent this? It begins when the child is born. We cannot know, when our children are babies, if they are gay. We must always be open, in a loving way, to this possibility. We must model acceptance and respect for people in our society who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. We must take care not to criticize, condemn, ridicule or shun. We must speak openly of their equal worth to that of heterosexuals.
If our children grow up in a climate of openness and respect, they may still have to wrestle with questions concerning their sexuality. It may not be easy, but at least they will know that they are not bad and not alone. It may save their lives.
Micky Wherley, Sun Prairie
Wisconsin newspaper (possibly Associated Press)
ANOTHER CAUSE OF TEEN ANGST
I was surprised to note in Monday's article on teen suicide that you failed to mention sexual orientation as a possible cause of youth suicides. Young teens who are questioning their sexual orientation may fear they have no one to turn to. Taking their lives may appear to them as their only way out.
What can we do to try to prevent this? It begins when the child is born. We cannot know, when our children are babies, if they are gay. We must always be open, in a loving way, to this possibility. We must model acceptance and respect for people in our society who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. We must take care not to criticize, condemn, ridicule or shun. We must speak openly of their equal worth to that of heterosexuals.
If our children grow up in a climate of openness and respect, they may still have to wrestle with questions concerning their sexuality. It may not be easy, but at least they will know that they are not bad and not alone. It may save their lives.
Micky Wherley, Sun Prairie