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~*~*~ For every rainbow there must be a spectrum of colors, they exist beautifully in perfect harmony with each other. Take a color out and we will not have our rainbow anymore. Just as if we take a gender out of the rainbow of genders that exist we take away individual liberty, the freedom of things about us that are only different. There is nothing wrong about something capable of a consenting caring and responsible relationship. That is Love. One thing that is bad is closemindedness and when we do that we miss alot of the beautiful things in life. ~*~*~ |
Welcome to Rainbow of Equality! Here you can find an empirical look and a rebuttal to untrue claims that have been spread about gay / lesbian / bisexual / transgender people. Along with very important and educational info in them to help anyone out. If you would like to help achieve equality for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender people (GLBT), you can fill out these very quick petitions. This one is made by the Human Rights Campaign and it can be found at, http://www.MillionForMarriage.com This one is by www.Egay.com and will be presented to congress http://www.egay.com/content_egay/EgayMarriage1.htm www.loveisloveislove.com has alot of really great petitions to sign. Thank you so much for your contribution! Other great sites for helping the GLBT community! www.SaveOurConstitution.org www.TheTaskForce.org www.HRC.org www.SoulForce.org www.ForGayMarriage.org If you have a website would you like to link to Rainbow of Equality to spread the word? It would help very much! Checkout these stylish link pics you can use if you want to: Email: RainbowOfEquality@yahoo.com Now here is a list of answers to the claims anti gay people have claimed in order to use as an excuse to deny rights of GLBT people or just to discriminate against them. There is absolutely no excuse to be mean to others though. These are the answers to why they are not true and they can be used as a rebuttal. They were made to be absolutely sure they are based on nonbiased, empirical reason and facts with the leading proffessional scientific organizations. The mentioned organizations are not biased in favor of homosexuality. These are not the opinions of a biased website. They are the opinions are learned organizations who study these cases carefully and proffessionally, without any hidden agenda to either prove or disprove any specific fact. One of the main things scientists do in order to gather empirical data is to make sure it is not biased. Surely, the mentioned organizations cannot be seen as either pro or anti biased. They are simply the experts in what they do that came to their conclusion by reason and fact. Nothing has been shown gay people to be harmful or not any less a form of love than heterosexuality. Love is what is most important in any situation. I hope this will help to enlighten. The spirit of this is not only about GLBT people. As a society it is our responsibility to open our hearts to individual liberty. The freedom and acceptance of things that are only different. Everyone of us are different and special each in our own way and it is important for us to reconize that to get along and love each other as a society. Instead of not accepting someone because they do not fit into someones own tastes. Learning from other unions, religions, races, creeds, etc. would make us a profoundly open (accepting), intelligent, and loving society, which we aren't and this is a very sad thing. I am FOR individuals following their heart, and expressing themselves in ways that dont harm others (slander, abuse, nonconsent etc), but still allows freedom to the invidual to find what is right for them on a personal basis. Please spread this around as much as possible, to help those spreading untrue rumors about GLBT people. It is extremely important to educate the public about the truth to stop innocent minorities from being prejudged or misread. |
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( Being gay is harmful! ) A form of love has the opposite effects and helps there mental, physical and over all well being. Even the American Psychological Association which is a nonprofit scientific and professional organization with more than 155,000 members and affiliates, including the majority of psychologists holding doctoral degrees from accredited universities in this country. They have done empirical scientific research on it for 35 years and they agree that homosexuality is not harmful in any way. http://www.apa.org/pubinfo/answers.html Answers to Your Questions About Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality What Is Sexual Orientation? Sexual Orientation is an enduring emotional, romantic, sexual or affectional attraction to another person. It is easily distinguished from other components of sexuality including biological sex, gender identity (the psychological sense of being male or female) and the social gender role (adherence to cultural norms for feminine and masculine behavior). Sexual orientation exists along a continuum that ranges from exclusive homosexuality to exclusive heterosexuality and includes various forms of bisexuality. Bisexual persons can experience sexual, emotional and affectional attraction to both their own sex and the opposite sex. Persons with a homosexual orientation are sometimes referred to as gay (both men and women) or as lesbian (women only). Sexual orientation is different from sexual behavior because it refers to feelings and self-concept. Persons may or may not express their sexual orientation in their behaviors. What Causes a Person To Have a Particular Sexual Orientation? There are numerous theories about the origins of a person's sexual orientation; most scientists today agree that sexual orientation is most likely the result of a complex interaction of environmental, cognitive and biological factors. In most people, sexual orientation is shaped at an early age. There is also considerable recent evidence to suggest that biology, including genetic or inborn hormonal factors, play a significant role in a person's sexuality. In summary, it is important to recognize that there are probably many reasons for a person's sexual orientation and the reasons may be different for different people. Is Sexual Orientation a Choice? No, human beings can not choose to be either gay or straight. Sexual orientation emerges for most people in early adolescence without any prior sexual experience. Although we can choose whether to act on our feelings, psychologists do not consider sexual orientation to be a conscious choice that can be voluntarily changed. Can Therapy Change Sexual Orientation? No. Even though most homosexuals live successful, happy lives, some homosexual or bisexual people may seek to change their sexual orientation through therapy, sometimes pressured by the influence of family members or religious groups to try and do so. The reality is that homosexuality is not an illness. It does not require treatment and is not changeable. However, not all gay, lesbian, and bisexual people who seek assistance from a mental health professional want to change their sexual orientation. Gay, lesbian, and bisexual people may seek psychological help with the coming out process or for strategies to deal with prejudice, but most go into therapy for the same reasons and life issues that bring straight people to mental health professionals. What About So-Called "Conversion Therapies"? Some therapists who undertake so-called conversion therapy report that they have been able to change their clients' sexual orientation from homosexual to heterosexual. Close scrutiny of these reports however show several factors that cast doubt on their claims. For example, many of the claims come from organizations with an ideological perspective which condemns homosexuality. Furthermore, their claims are poorly documented. For example, treatment outcome is not followed and reported overtime as would be the standard to test the validity of any mental health intervention. The American Psychological Association is concerned about such therapies and their potential harm to patients. In 1997, the Association's Council of Representatives passed a resolution reaffirming psychology's opposition to homophobia in treatment and spelling out a client's right to unbiased treatment and self-determination. Any person who enters into therapy to deal with issues of sexual orientation has a right to expect that such therapy would take place in a professionally neutral environment absent of any social bias. Is Homosexuality a Mental Illness or Emotional Problem? No. Psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental health professionals agree that homosexuality is not an illness, mental disorder or an emotional problem. Over 35 years of objective, well-designed scientific research has shown that homosexuality, in and itself,is not associated with mental disorders or emotional or social problems. Homosexuality was once thought to be a mental illness because mental health professionals and society had biased information. In the past the studies of gay, lesbian and bisexual people involved only those in therapy, thus biasing the resulting conclusions. When researchers examined data about these people who were not in therapy, the idea that homosexuality was a mental illness was quickly found to be untrue. In 1973 the American Psychiatric Association confirmed the importance of the new, better designed research and removed homosexuality from the official manual that lists mental and emotional disorders. Two years later, the American Psychological Association passed a resolution supporting the removal. For more than 25 years, both associations have urged all mental health professionals to help dispel the stigma of mental illness that some people still associate with homosexual orientation. Can Lesbians, Gay Men, and Bisexuals Be Good Parents? Yes. Studies comparing groups of children raised by homosexual and by heterosexual parents find no developmental differences between the two groups of children in four critical areas: their intelligence, psychological adjustment, social adjustment, and popularity with friends. It is also important to realize that a parent's sexual orientation does not dictate his or her children's. Another myth about homosexuality is the mistaken belief that gay men have more of a tendency than heterosexual men to sexually molest children. There is no evidence to suggest that homosexuals are more likely than heterosexuals to molest children. Why Do Some Gay Men, Lesbians and Bisexuals Tell People About Their Sexual Orientation? Because sharing that aspect of themselves with others is important to their mental health. In fact, the process of identity development for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals called "coming out", has been found to be strongly related to psychological adjustment—the more positive the gay, lesbian, or bisexual identity, the better one's mental health and the higher one's self-esteem. Why Is the "Coming Out" Process Difficult for Some Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual People? For some gay and bisexual people the coming out process is difficult, for others it is not. Often lesbian, gay and bisexual people feel afraid, different, and alone when they first realize that their sexual orientation is different from the community norm. This is particularly true for people becoming aware of their gay, lesbian, or bisexual orientation as a child or adolescent, which is not uncommon. And, depending on their families and where they live, they may have to struggle against prejudice and misinformation about homosexuality. Children and adolescents may be particularly vulnerable to the deleterious effects of bias and stereotypes. They may also fear being rejected by family, friends,co-workers, and religious institutions. Some gay people have to worry about losing their jobs or being harassed at school if their sexual orientation became well known. Unfortunately, gay, lesbian and bisexual people are at a higher risk for physical assault and violence than are heterosexuals. Studies done in California in the mid 1990s showed that nearly one-fifth of all lesbians who took part in the study and more than one-fourth of all gay men who participated had been the victim of a hate crime based on their sexual orientation. In another California study of approximately 500 young adults, half of all the young men participating in the study admitted to some form of anti-gay aggression from name-calling to physical violence. What Can Be Done to Overcome the Prejudice and Discrimination the Gay Men, Lesbians, and Bisexuals Experience? Research has found that the people who have the most positive attitudes toward gay men, lesbians and bisexuals are those who say they know one or more gay, lesbian or bisexual person well—often as a friend or co-worker. For this reason, psychologists believe negative attitudes toward gay people as a group are prejudices that are not grounded in actual experiences but are based on stereotypes and prejudice. Furthermore, protection against violence and discrimination is very important, just as it is for other minority groups. Some states include violence against an individual on the basis of his or her sexual orientation as a "hate crime" and 10 U.S. states have laws against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Why is it Important for Society to be Better Educated About Homosexuality? Educating all people about sexual orientation and homosexuality is likely to diminish anti-gay prejudice. Accurate information about homosexuality is especially important to young people who are first discovering and seeking to understand their sexuality—whether homosexual, bisexual, or heterosexual. Fears that access to such information will make more people gay have no validity—information about homosexuality does not make someone gay or straight. Are All Gay and Bisexual Men HIV Infected? No. This is a commonly held myth. In reality, the risk of exposure to HIV is related to a person's behavior, not their sexual orientation. What's important to remember about HIV/AIDS is it is a preventable disease through the use of safe sex practices and by not using drugs. Where Can I Find More Information About Homosexuality? APA Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Concerns Program 750 First Street, NE. Washington, DC 20002 Email: LGBC National Gay and Lesbian Task Force 2320 17th St. Washington, DC 20009 (202) 332-6483 Email: NGLTF Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays 1726 M Street, NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 467-8180 Email: PFLAG Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States 130 W 42nd St., Ste. 350 New York, NY 10036 (212)-819-9770 Email: SIECUS American Psychological Association (1976, 1998 and 2004) On marriage rights for same-sex couples. The American Psychological Association Council of Representatives adopted this position statement on July 28, 2004: ::The Source Address:: http://www.apa.org/releases/gaymarriage_reso.pdf On legal benefits for same-sex couples. The American Psychological Association Council of Representatives adopted this position statement in August 1998: ::The Source Address:: http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbpolicy/child.html More Scientific Articles By The American Psychological Association The APA Policy Statement on Homosexuality http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbc/policy/statements.html Contents: Here is the scientific evidence made and adopted by the American Psychological Association, The American Psychiatric Association, The National Association of Social Workers and The Texas Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. It determined the court case that struck down the sodomy laws in the November of 2003. The Lawrence v. Texas Case Evidence http://www.apa.org/psyclaw/lawrence-v-texas.html Contents:
" Decades of research and clinical experience have led all mainstream mental health organizations in this country to the conclusion that homosexuality is a normal form of human sexuality. " " Because Texas does not attempt to punish consensual, private sexual conduct between adults of different sexes, § 21.06 must rest on the perception that intimate sexual activity warrants suppression when, but only when, it occurs between persons of the same sex. Scientific research and the experience of the mental health professions do not support that position. To the contrary, the sexual orientation known as homosexuality—which is based on an enduring pattern of sexual or romantic attraction exclusively or primarily to others of one’s own sex is a normal variant of human sexual expression; it is not a mental or psychological disorder; and it is highly resistant to change. A. The Significance Of Sexual Orientation At the root of this case are some basic human truths well documented in empirical research. " The American Psychiatric Association, founded in 1844, is the Nation’s leading organization of physicians specializing in psychiatry, with approximately 42,000 members. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is a nonprofit professional association of social workers, with more than 150,000 members in every state and internationally. Official Statement Concerning Homosexuality from the American Counseling Association The American Counseling Association has a division called the "Association for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Issues in Counseling". Its mission is as follows: Mission Statement: The mission of the Association for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Issues in Counseling is to educate mental health service providers about issues confronting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) individuals. We believe that all individuals should be free to develop their full potential regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity, and that professional counselors must understand the unique ways gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered individuals experience inequality and injustice resulting from discrimination and prejudice. http://www.aglbic.org/mission.html Official Statement Concerning Homosexuality from the American Psychiatric Association In an excerpt from their policy concerning homosexuality, the American Psychiatric Association states: "What is Sexual Orientation?" "Sexual orientation" is a term frequently used to describe a person"s romantic, emotional or sexual attraction to another person. A person attracted to another person of the same sex is said to have a homosexual orientation and may be called gay (both men and women) or lesbian. Individuals attracted to persons of the other sex are said to have a heterosexual orientation. Sexual orientation falls along a continuum and individuals who are attracted to both men and women are said to be bisexual. Sexual orientation is different from gender identity, which refers to the internal sense of whether one is male or female. Sexual orientation is a relatively new concept. In fact, although same sex behavior has always existed, the idea of a homosexual identity or a homosexual person is only about 100 years old. The concept of sexual orientation refers to more than sexual behavior. It includes feelings as well as identity. Some individuals may identify themselves as gay lesbian or bisexual without engaging in any sexual activity. Some people believe that sexual orientation is innate and fixed; however, sexual orientation develops across a person's lifetime. Individuals maybe become aware at different points in their lives that they are heterosexual, gay, lesbian,or bisexual. Is Homosexuality A Mental Disorder? No. All major professional mental health organizations have gone on record to affirm that homosexuality is not a mental disorder. http://www.psych.org/public_info/gaylesbianandbisexualissues22701.pdf Gay and Lesbian Issues by the American Pyschiatric Association http://www.psych.org/public_info/homose~1.cfm Contents: "Reparative Therapy" APA Position Statement on Homosexuality Homosexuality Bias-Related Incidents Right to Privacy Homosexuality and The Immigration and Naturalization Service Homosexuality and Armed Services Discrimination Based on Gender or Sexual Orientation Homosexuality and Civil Rights
Here are more organizations that agree with the the American Psychological Association.
http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbc/publications/justthefacts.html American Academy of Pediatrics American Counseling Association American Association of School Administrators American Federation of Teachers American School Health Association Interfaith Alliance Foundation National Association of School Psychologists National Association of Social Workers National Education Association The American Psychiatric Association The American Psychoanalytic Association http://www.apsa-co.org/ctf/cgli/position.htm The American Psychiatric Association Position Statement http://www.psych.org/psych_pract/copptherapyaddendum83100.cfm Calgary Health Region on Homosexuality http://www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/hlthconn/items/homosexu.htm |
( It's unnatural! ) °°It is a part of nature°° Actually homosexuality does occur in nature and especially within the mammalian species. Even if it didn't, who is to say that its not natural with the homosapien species, who has an obviously original genetic make up. That is capable of many things other species are not. In nature, a single species with completely original sexual traits happens alot. Each spring every oyster gets to change its gender. If there is any thinking in the bivalve brain, it is all spent on this choice: What sex should I be this year? http://www.seattlepress.com/article-1720.html The female praying mantis eats the males head when they have sex. http://www.abc.net.au/rn/science/ockham/stories/s360370.htm With sea horses the male is the one who carries the baby. http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/fish/printouts/Seahorsecoloring.shtml The bonobo, more commonly known as pygmy chimpanzees, which is our closest genetic relative. They have a matriarchal society (unusual amongst apes), this is a fully bisexual species- both males and females engage in heterosexual and homosexual behavior, being noted for lesbianism in particular. http://www.sciencedaily.com/encyclopedia/Bonobo The Coldwater Prawn, which is a type of shrimp, will change its gender during sexual maturity. This happens at the age of 2-6 years in different waters, depending on environmental conditions, mostly sea temperature. http://www.fisheries.is/stocks/shrimp.htm One breed of Canadian geese nests with three geese, one female and two male. One male has sex with both the female and male while the other male is exclusive for the bisexual one. (Biological Exuberance) There is a breed of fish, coral-dwelling gobies, that is born female and becomes male at 7 years of age. Sometimes even back and forth. http://www.reef.crc.org.au/postgraduate/jward2003.html Whip-tailed lizard females have the ability to reproduce through parthenogenesis and as such males are rare and generally distained (from a Darwinian standpoint the females are passing their full genetic code to all of their offspring and do not want it compromised by sexual reproduction), the females engage in sexual behavior to stimulate ovulation. Certain species of gecko also reproduce by parthenogenesis. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexuality_in_animals Check out these sites, http://www.subversions.com/french/pages/science/animals.html Homosexuality in nature http://www.bidstrup.com/sodomy.htm I would recommend reading, Biological Exuberance: Animal Homosexuality and Natural Diversity by Bruce Bagemihl http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0312192398/o/qid%3D972153114/sr%3D2-2/102-5409679-1318511 Which provides details on more than 450 species in which same-sex behavior has been observed. Over a thousand libraries have copies, and if your local public library does not, you can get a copy via interlibrary loan. The book was cited by the American Psychiatric Association and other groups submitted to the Supreme Court in Lawrence vs. Texas, a case challenging a Texas anti-sodomy law. The court struck down the law from what they provided. °°It is harmless and helpful to the species°° Homosexuality is very helpful to the species usually with there superior ability to help mothers that produce more babies than she can handle or they are able to focus more on protecting the herd or tribe, providing food, etc. Over population can be deadly with a species. They run out of food and supplies and alot of other problems occur. Also it is natural for a species to adapt to its environment by evolving it in a certain way. When the elaphants migrated north a long time ago they evolved and adapted a thick coat of fur to keep them warm. So this could very much be natures way of adapting. Even in our societies we just need to look at overpopulated places like China. There hotels are literally compartments, diseases are easily spread and there economy is suffering because they don't have enough jobs for everyone all do to overpopulation. Reproduction only needs a certain amount for a species to survive but one thing that is a must for every human being is Love. Bagemihl in his book (Biological Exuberance) describes homosexual activity in a broad spectrum of animals. He asserts that while same-sex behavior is sometimes found in captivity, it is actually seen more frequently in studies of animals in the wild. Marlene Zuk, a professor of biology at UC Riverside and author of "Sexual Selections: What We Can and Can't Learn About Sex From Animals" (University of California Press, 2002), notes that scientists have speculated that homosexuality may have an evolutionary purpose, ensuring the survival of the species. By not producing their own offspring, homosexuals may help support or nurture their relatives' young. "That is a contribution to the gene pool," she said. °°Gender in humans°° We only need to look at other things such as gender identity (intersexuals & transgenders) to see there is no pure bipolar order of the sexes. No male is born completly male and vise versa. Every male has atleast a little bit of X chromosonal traits within there dna and females have atleast a little bit of Y chromosonal traits. It all depends on the individual and some are born completly mixed. Thats where we get intersexuals, transgenders, as well with gay and bi people. Gender is a very complex thing. Whats in you pants is not what determines it. Its your entire anatonomy and how you identify yourself. These sites explain it. A Sex Difference in the Human Brain and its Relation to Transsexuality By J.-N. Zhou, M.A. Hofman, L.J. Gooren and D.F. Swaab http://www.symposion.com/ijt/ijtc0106.htm The Multi-Dimensionality of Gender Carl W. Bushong, Ph.D., LMFT http://www.transgendercare.com/guidance/multi.htm What is Gender and Who is Transgendered? by Carl W. Bushong, PhD, LMFT http://www.transgendercare.com/guidance/what_is_gender.htm The Transgender Community By Jerimarie Liesegang, Ph.D. http://www.tgender.net/itct/Articles/transgender_community.htm What causes transsexualism? http://www.glsenco.org/Educators/Counselors/transgender_1.htm Sexual Differentiation A Tampa Gender Identity Program (TGIP) Abstract Pascual Bidot, M.D., F.A.C.E. http://www.transgendercare.com/medical/sex_diff.htm Hormone Levels Affect Structure Of Adult Brain http://www.transgendercare.com/news/Hormones_brain_99_0621.htm XVI Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association Symposium 17 - 21 August 1999, London http://www.symposion.com/ijt/greenpresidental/green21.htm Brain Sex By Joanne Silver. http://www.transformation.co.uk/brainsex.html For instance, some of the population are diagnosed with Androgen-insensitivity syndrome. This is a condition in which genetically, a person is born with male genitalia, but are genetically insensitive to androgens, the hormones that produce male sexual characteristics. These children tend to appear female, but have no internal female organs. Under a strict definition of "one man one woman" marriage, the estimated 2 million Americans that are ambiguously gendered would be unable to marry at all. Because they are not male, nor are they female. Call the sex inspectors -- Ambiguity vs. 'marriage laws' by William O. Beeman proffessor of anthropology at Brown University http://www.aaanet.org/press/min_beeman_2-18-04.htm Don't forget 'Men' that have an XY chromosome, and 'women' have an XX chromosome. Persons with XXY (trisomy 21 syndrome) or YY chromosomes must be denied the right to marry, as they are neither 'men' nor 'women.' It is literally true as well, every person on earth is either female, or they were for the first two months after conception. That's right, the physical structure of every human fetus starts out as female. If anyone studies a scientific book on the fetus, the "sex" genes are XY, rather than XX, hormones will be secreted that will initiate a sex change at two months after conception. That's right guys, every one of you has already had a sex change. There are some very important questions we need to ask ourselves when we ask the question of naturalness. Why did nature give us a whole brain and we can only use 10%? Why are men equipped with nipples? Why are there more women than men? The simple fact is that homosexuals are genetic productions of their parents, created from parental genes. The development of sexual organs depends greatly of the number of chromosones....but will ultimately evolve into male or female, or in some intersexed cases, both. We are all created in the likeness of our ancestors. All our ancestors had certain physical traits and specific hair and eye color. These "visual" attributes are easily identified. If your father has black hair and your mother has red, chances are you'll either have black or red hair. °°It doesn't matter in the first place°° Even is the question of nature relevant? Is everything that is unnatural evil and to be shunned away? What about artificially made medicines that saves lifes. Even being on the internet is unnatural, even though its benefited society in so many ways including the ability to communicate across the world. I could go on. Just look around you and you will get it. °°The nature of nature°° Nature doesn't have a "preconcieved idealogy of what should be". It "adapts" to what it can to survive. Dr. Ruth Westheimer, a well respected authority on sex, has commented on the issue of natural vs. unnatural sex. She sums it up thus: The only type of sexual activity which is unnatural is that which is physically impossible. So the question we need to ask ourselves of what we should consider unnatural is, whether it is harmful and in what way or where. Everything has shown it not to be. Also if they are mentally capable of it and it being a real form of love than it is considered natural. °°Signs within the human anatonomy°° The human body is designed for a variety of things. Ofcoarse the ovum is capable of having a baby but it doesn't hurt a woman not to have a baby. Which makes it optional. Alot of straight couples do not have a baby. Males have a prostate gland in the anal area that is a G-Spot designed for anal sex. (Very important - While women do not have that) http://www.mypleasure.com/education/sexed/understanding_the_prostate.asp It also has nerve endings designed for touch and feel. http://www.sexuality.org/l/incoming/analrule.html While womens most sensitive area in the vagina is the clitoris which is at the "lips" of the vagina. Like it was made for oral sex. http://www.soc.ucsb.edu/sexinfo/?article=activity&refid=001 There are also plenty of other ways gay people can have sex. Just as vanilla sex isn't the only way straight people have sex. Orientation and sex are separate. All in all it means the human anatonomy is designed for a rainbow of orientations. That means it is natural. |
( The rectum isn't designed for anal sex. It can contract diseases, it doesn't provide enough lubricant, it damages the tissue and spincter. Making it unhealthy and unnatural. ) °°It is uncareful sex that is dangerous not anal sex°° Those things are commonly held myths. All of those things that were said can only happen with very uncareful sex. Tissue is broken as well with vaginal sex, the moisture doesn't provide complete protection. Otherwise there wouldn't be a market for vaginal lubricants would there? It is also capable of contracting diseases as well. That is why they ask straight people to where condoms. So by that definition vaginal sex is unnatural and unhealthy too. There are alot of things that are natural but are not completly safe, the reason for prostate cancer is being male. Should people stop being male? No it just means it needs more care by going to the doctor for check ups, etc. Should people stop having vaginal sex? No it just means it needs more care by having lubrication and condoms, etc. Another myth is the sphincter is damaged through anal sex. The anal sphincter muscle is designed to expand and contract an unlimited number of times. Stretching it will not make it any less able to constrict, just as stretching your hamstrings does not make them weaker. There have even been a number of long-term studies which found that there was absolutely no loss of muscle tone or the ability to contract regardless of the amount of anal sex a person has had. http://www.mypleasure.com/education/qanda/questions/33.asp Anyone who engages in risky sexual practices is in danger of damaging themselves, or others. Yes, some sexual practices can cause physical injury. Vaginal, anal or anything. Promiscuous, unprotected, and/or extreme sex are what is dangerous. Some can transmit diseases ranging from minor and transient, to those which are almost universally fatal. Just for the record, there are some diseases, mostly sexually transmitted, which are a great deal worse than the ones which most persons are familiar with. Fortunately, the worst diseases are fairly limited in circulation, but unless we've been asleep for a couple of years, we know that this can change in a hurry. Also you can't contract a spread disease unless the partner you are with has it first. It doesn't suddenly present itself while having sex. So what it all comes down to is uncareful sex is what is harmful, not whether it is vaginal, anal or oral. This applies to straight and gay people. http://www.gayhealth.com/templates/1083554103461443125269/network/ask/index.html?record=39 °°Gender orientation and sexual behaviour are two different things°° Now it is also important to see anal sex itself is completley irrelevant to homosexual orientation. That is where an assumption is made. There are a great many types of sexual activities which can be engaged in by heterosexuals, or homosexuals alike. I believe that I can safely say: most humans will find some activities stimulating, and others activities disinteresting, or repulsive, depending on the individual. Anal sex is but one of them. The fact is that gays, like straights, are individual in their likes and dislikes. By no means do all homosexuals, or heterosexuals, find anal sex appealing. Too, by no means do all homosexuals, or heterosexuals find anal sex repulsive. Any sexual activity you can name is interesting to some of either population. Who does what, and to whom is, again, not anyone else's concern. For many, it is an expression of deep intimacy between individuals, and is entirely fulfilling, an emotional bond. (It is not clear, to me, to what degree these feelings are based on experiences, and to what degree they are innate.) For the most part, it is safe to say that sex, and sentiment, in long term relationships is subject to the essentially the same challenges, and ups and downs irrespective of the orientation and sex of the two involved. Even many straight guys enjoy anal sex with there wifes, using sex toys. They enjoy it because of the male anal G spot and they think of there wifes when they do it. °°It can be very helpful in different ways°° Actually done with care anal sex can strengthen the rectum muscles which will incredibly decrease their chances of being incontinent when they are older. Just as kegel exercises are given to patients with incontinence, anal sex works the muscles in the same way. http://www.exalte.com/SexToysArticle/86 With straights it can be used as a form of birth control. °°What the proffessionals say°° The American Medical Association Many antigay organizations twist many articles from the AMA or JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) Saying that articles explaining men who have sex with men need to be more careful with anal sex, they twist it to say it means the AMA is saying homosexuality is wrong. They are very clear that it is important to let the public know the individual medical health risks for homosexuals that have uncareful sex. Not saying homosexuality itself is wrong. There is a big difference between the two. Just as there are many articles by the AMA on how straight people should be more careful with vaginal sex. "Women who only have sex with women are at less risk for contracting syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia than women who have intercourse with men. [19] However, if symptoms or signs of an STD are present, these symptoms should be investigated with appropriate testing. The risk of infection with herpes viruses, human papillomavirus (HPV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is greater for women who have sex with men. Bisexual women may become infected from men and transmit these diseases to other women." - American Medical Association http://www.amsa.org/programs/barriers/jama96.pdf The parts in there statement where they talk about this are in bold: Official Statement Concerning Homosexuality from the American Medical Association In an excerpt from their Policy on the Health Care Needs of the Homosexual Population (H-160.991), the American Medical Association states: Our AMA: (1) believes that the physician's nonjudgmental recognition of sexual orientation and behavior enhances the ability to render optimal patient care in health as well as in illness... With the help of the gay and lesbian community and through a cooperative effort between physician and the homosexual patient effective progress can be made in treating the medical needs of this particular segment of the population; (2) is committed to taking a leadership role in: (a) educating physicians on the current state of research in and knowledge of homosexuality and the need to take an adequate sexual history; these efforts should start in medical school, but must also be a part of continuing medical education; (b) educating physicians to recognize the physical and psychological needs of their homosexual patients; (c) encouraging the development of educational programs for homosexuals to acquaint them with the diseases for which they are at risk; (d) encouraging physicians to seek out local or national experts in the health care needs of gay men and lesbians so that all physicians will achieve a better understanding of the medical needs of this population; and (e) working with the gay and lesbian community to offer physicians the opportunity to better understand the medical needs of homosexual and bisexual patients; and (3) opposes, the use of "reparative" or "conversion" therapy that is based upon the assumption that homosexuality per se is a mental disorder or based upon the a priori assumption that the patient should change his/her homosexual orientation. AMA http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/noindex/category/11760.html The American Medical Association (AMA) released a report in 1994-DEC which calls for "nonjudgmental recognition of sexual orientation by physicians." They suggest that psychotherapy be directed help homosexuals "become comfortable with their sexual orientation." " Emotional disturbance experienced by gay men and lesbians that is related to their sexual identity apparently is due more to a sense of alienation in an unaccepting environment than to any other cause. For this reason, aversion therapy that links homosexual behavior with unpleasant sensations or aversive consequences is not recommended for gay men and lesbians. [97] Gay men and lesbians can become comfortable with their sexual orientation and understand the societal response to it. " http://www.amsa.org/programs/barriers/jama96.pdf http://216.239.51.104/search?q=cache:g9YVrZuJP7AJ:www.amsa.org/programs/barriers/jama96.pdf The American Psychological Association, The American Psychiatric Association, The National Association of Social Workers and The Texas Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. The Lawrence v. Texas Case Evidence http://www.apa.org/psyclaw/lawrence-v-texas.html " Research also indicates that significant numbers of heterosexuals engage in anal sex. The NHSLS Survey found that 26% of men and 20% of women had engaged in anal intercourse. See Laumann et al., Social Organizion of Sexuality, supra, at 99. Based on a review of the published literature and analysis of survey data, one study concluded that approximately 25% of U.S. adults have engaged in heterosexual anal intercourse. S.N. Seidman & R.O. Reider, A Review of Sexual Behavior in the United States, 151 Am. J. Psychiatry 330 (1994). " " Research also reveals that these intimate forms of sexual contact can enhance both heterosexual and gay relationships, and that for gay people in particular, they provide emotional satisfaction and promote the formation of long-term bonds.41None of the leading national associations of mental health professionals considers oral or anal sex to be pathological (i.e., detrimental to mental health, psychological well being, or social adjustment). None of the diagnostic descriptions of mental disorders used by health-care practitioners, including the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed. text rev. 2001), includes oral or anal sex as pathological sexual syndromes, whether undertaken between persons of different sexes or the same sex. Accordingly, understood from the perspective of the broad patterns of sexual activity in which couples engage in our society, oral and anal sex are not “deviate,” but are normal and important means for many couples to develop bonds of sexual intimacy. " |
( Gay sex produces aids and other diseases! ) °°How it was created°° One statement of the obvious is that it wasn't created by homosexuality because gay activity has been going on since recorded history but AIDS started somewhere in the 1950's. The most recent earliest known AIDS case is in the 1950's by an African man. http://www.aegis.com/news/sfe/1998/SE980201.html http://www.biomed.lib.umn.edu/hmed/1998/02/19980204_1aids.html From what scientists know it started by a chimpanzee to human transmission in Africa, then it really started to spread in the late 1970's in Uganda, Africa a heterosexual community. The most anyone knows on exactly how it started is only theories. The Center for Disease Control states: "The most recent presentation on the origin of HIV was presented at the 6th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunitistic Infections (Chicago, January 1999). At that conference, research was presented that suggested that HIV had "crossed over" into the human population from a particular species of chimpanzee, probably through blood contact that occurred during hunting and field dressing of the animals... We know that the virus has existed in the United States, Haiti and Africa since at least 1977-1978. In 1979, rare types of pneumonia, cancer and other illnesses were being reported by doctors in Los Angeles and New York. The common thread was that these conditions were not usually found in persons with healthy immune systems." CDC National AIDS Hotline | Frequently Asked Questions http://www.righto.com/theories/highest_risk.html °°What is important is the "cause" here, not the "effect"°° Many anti gay people well give statistics that say the percentage is higher in gay people than in heterosexual people while they are very vague on the cause. When even that itself has different figures with different studies and what time or country they were made. Heterosexual aids cases on the rise: http://www.righto.com/theories/highest_risk.html Most importantly if a subject in a survey gets a higher score than the other does not mean it was because of the group they are described in. For instance, If a survey was made that more nurses than artists like orange sherbert icecream. It doesn't automatically mean it is because they are nurses. The only reason of Aids and STDs being sexually transmitted is through uncareful sex, that is letting your partners bodily fluids enter your body. Not wearing a condom and lubrication. Not going to get tested or making sure if your partner has been tested. That matters no matter what body you in or orientation you are. Vaginal or anal intercoarse. Oral sex is rare of getting hiv but it does happen and there are oral condoms. Also you can't get infected unless your partner is first infected because it is a spread disease. It doesn't suddenly create itself when someone has gay sex. Being gay has nothing to do with getting aids. Lesbians are the lowest canidates for aids out of all of the orientations, in all of the statistics and alot of the time they are not even mentioned in them. http://www.avert.org/lesbiansafesex.htm Straight people get aids, so do babies being breast fed, people that share blood by cuts or something like that and any other way the bodily fluids of an infected person can be given to another body. What are STDs?http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/1032.html "Safer sex means having sex, orgasms, or intercourse without sharing blood, semen, or vaginal fluids. " " Unsafe sex puts an individual at risk for HIV and other STDs. This is sex that allows semen, blood, or vaginal lubrication (body fluids) to be passed from one person to another. These body fluids can spread viruses or bacteria. " Stop Aids Project - Why test for HIV? http://www.stopaids.org/resources/testing/why_test.html " During the window period an individual is capable of transmitting the virus through unsafe sex or needle sharing. " American Medical Association http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/upload/mm/39/parentinfo.pdf " Ways a person can get infected with HIV: Having unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex with a person who has HIV. " American Association of World Health http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=19039 Myth: HIV/AIDS is a gay disease. Reality: Anyone can be susceptible to HIV/AIDS, regardless of their sexual orientation. Everyone is at risk of getting HIV from blood-to-blood contact, sharing needles or unsafe sex. Worldwide, HIV is spread most often through heterosexual contact. The Body Overview: Transmission and Prevention http://www.thebody.com/encyclo/transmission_overview.html "Synopsis: HIV is transmitted by certain specific behaviors involving the exchange of bodily fluids between people. Unlike many other diseases, HIV is not transmitted through routine casual contact, through the air, or through insect bites." FPWA Health's STI & HIV/AIDS Overview http://www.fpwa-health.org.au/stioverview.htm "HIV lives in blood, semen and vaginal fluids and is transmitted through unprotected anal or vaginal sex." Aids.org Stopping the Spread of HIV http://www.aids.org/factSheets/150-Stopping-the-Spread-of-HIV.html "To get infected with HIV, infected blood, sexual fluid, or mother's milk has to get into your body. HIV-infected pregnant women can pass the infection to their new babies. To decrease the risk of spreading HIV: If you think you've been exposed to HIV, get tested and ask your doctor about taking anti-HIV medications." How Aids is Spread http://www.jhuccp.org/pr/h9/h9boxes.stm#hiv HIV is carried in body fluids. The most important are semen, blood, breastmilk, and vaginal fluid (246, 558). HIV is spread primarily through sexual contact that passes body fluids from one person to another. It also can be spread by contaminated blood or blood products, by hypodermic needles contaminated with such blood, and from an infected woman to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. A person may have HIV for years before any symptoms appear. Although people may not know that they are infected, and they do not look or feel sick, they still can pass HIV to others. For physiological reasons, a woman is more likely to contract HIV/AIDS sexually from an infected man than a woman is to infect a man (23, 129, 394). The percentage of HIV-positive adults who are women has risen from 25% estimated in 1990 to 43% in late 1997 and appears to be still rising (12, 266). HIV also has spread to children born to infected mothers, a trend that is eroding previous gains in child survival. The majority of infections occur during or close to birth; in developing countries breastfeeding accounts for an estimated one-third of HIV transmission from mother to child (269). °°Getting HIV and other diseases with vaginal sex°°
If anyone thinks they are safe with no condoms or lubricants with vaginal sex then they are very wrong and we should be concerned about them and there partner. Vaginal sex also has diseases that are completley original to it, just as every form of sex has its different ups & downs:
Now how does this relate to the issue of gay marriage? It is a legally recognized monogamous commitment. I would think that if people cared about the spread of AIDS, they would want to promote marriage, not discourage or prevent it. Marriage promotes health; married people are healthier than unmarried people; marriage reduces promiscuity and cuts the risk of AIDS and STD transmission between gays; better health reduces the costs of providing healthcare. |
( If everyone was homosexual we would all become extinct! ) °°This is just based on largely exagerating views°° This is somehow used by some anti-gays as something to imply there is something wrong with homosexuality. It is so amusing when someone makes a hypothetical statement and then tries to pass it off as if it will become true. Thats like saying if we except burnette haired people everyone will want to die their hair burnette. Have they? No. Everyone is an individual. If everyone was a shoe salesman and nobody were farmers, doctors, etc., the human race would probably die out from hunger and disease, but is that a good reason why no one should be a shoe salesman? °°Children are not the only purpose for marriage°° What can two gay people produce? Most importantly, Love. Reproduction does not define Love. If the only purpose of marriage is to have children, then what are the millions of straight married couples that choose not to have a baby, infertile couples or people that marry at an elderly age, marrying for? To have imaginary children? No, they marry because of Love. It is the same with some gay people. The reason people marry for love is when they meet that special person that they know no one else can ever measure up to romantically and intimately and want to spend the rest of their lifes together supporting each other in many, many ways. Emotionally, romantically, intimatley, mentally, etc. The list goes on and on. Which is the reason of marriage that has nothing to do with children. Would we rather people seeking romantic and intimate support to be in non-commited and careless "flings" with people? That is no support at all. People that marry for love do not think so as well. The body naturally needs these things. They feel they are more supported with some one that is commited to them. Marriage is the ultimate commitment. Which helps their mentality over all, including helping them in their work, which helps the economy, society, etc. There are many benefits in a marriage license that have nothing to do with children. Such as hospital visitation rights and joint bank account benefits, etc. It would be insane to worry that our species will die out, humans are not in anyway endangered. There are 6.3 BILLION people on this planet and more coming every day. http://www.census.gov/ipc/www/ According to the International Programs Center, U.S. Bureau of the Census, the total population of the World, projected to 3/7/04 at 9:40:08 GMT (3/7/04 at 4:40:08 AM EST) is 6,352,700,935 Consider these points:
While at the same time of these points, gay people can have children, even biologically together. There are other ways of having babies other than sex. Its what straight and gay people have been doing for the past few decades. Gay people can have babies biologically through vitro fertilization, sperm banks and many other ways. Gay male couples have been able to reproduce with insemination. Where doctors take both of the mens sperm and place it in a consenting women's egg. Scientists have even recently found ways for lesbians to have a baby without sperm. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/1769356.stm |
(Gay Parenting) °°The fact is gays are parents and are just as good parents as heterosexuals°° Considering this they deserve the same rights that help couples with children. The American Psychiatric Association cites that: "estimates of the numbers of lesbian mothers range from 1 to 5 million and with the number of children ranging from 6 to 14 million." Read what professional organizations say about GLBT parenting and marriage: The List of Professionals The American Psychological Association On parenting. The American Psychological Association Council of Representatives adopted this position statement July 28, 2004: ::The Source Address:: http://www.apa.org/releases/gaymarriage_reso.pdf On parenting. The American Psychological Association Council of Representatives adopted the following position statement in September 1976: ::The Source Address:: http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbc/policy/statements.html#2 "The sex, gender identity or sexual orientation of natural or prospective adoptive or foster parents should not be the sole or primary variable considered in custody or placement cases." Reference: Conger, J.J. (1977). Proceedings of the American Psychological Association, Incorporated, for the year 1976: Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council of Representatives. American Psychologist, 32, 408-438. The American Academy of Pediatrics on the equality of gay parenting: http://www.aap.org/advocacy/archives/febsamesex.htm Coparent or Second-Parent Adoption by Same-Sex Parents by The American Academy of Pediatrics ::Policy Statement:: http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;109/2/339 Where they state, " Children deserve to know that their relationships with both of their parents are stable and legally recognized. This applies to all children, whether their parents are of the same or opposite sex. The American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes that a considerable body of professional literature provides evidence that children with parents who are homosexual can have the same advantages and the same expectations for health, adjustment, and development as can children whose parents are heterosexual.1–9 When 2 adults participate in parenting a child, they and the child deserve the serenity that comes with legal recognition. " Coparent or Second-Parent Adoption by Same-Sex Parents by The American Academy of Pediatrics ::Technical Report:: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/109/2/341 This one provides evidence showing children who grow up with 1 or 2 gay and/or lesbian parents fare as well in emotional, cognitive, social, and sexual functioning as do children whose parents are heterosexual. It demonstrates the: ..of the children raised by gay parents. Only studies published in peer-reviewed journals were considered. Which means they could not have passed without rigorous scientific empirical study. They can commonly be found in conventional medical school or university libraries. The American Home Economics Association and The American Association of Family and Consumer Science define the family unit as: "two or more persons who share resources, share responsibility for decisions, share values and goals, and have commitment to one another over time. The family is that climate that one "comes home to" and it is this network of sharing and commitments that most accurately describes the family unit, regardless of blood, legal ties, adoption, or marriage." This next report is by: It determined the court case that struck down the sodomy laws in the November of 2003. The Lawrence v. Texas Case Evidence http://www.apa.org/psyclaw/lawrence-v-texas.html Gay Men And Lesbians As Parents " Not only do gay men and lesbians successfully form long-term intimate relationships that resemble heterosexual families; they also raise children together in these families. Although there are no data to indicate the exact number of lesbians and gay men in the United States who are parents, psychologists who study this topic suggest that hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of American parents today identify themselves as gay or lesbian, and that the children of lesbian and gay parents in the United States today almost certainly number in the millions. See C.J. Patterson & L.V. Friel, Sexual Orientation and Fertility, in Infertility in the Modern World: Biosocial Perspectives 238 (G. Bentley & N. Mascie-Taylor eds. 2000). Over the past two decades, research about children of gay parents has yielded the consistent conclusion that these children demonstrate no deficits in intellectual development, social adjustment, or psychological well-being as compared to children of heterosexual parents.(35) A recent article surveying the scientific studies on this issue reported no differences between children raised by lesbians and those raised by heterosexuals with respect to self-esteem, anxiety, depression, behavioral problems, performance in social arenas (sports, school and friendships), use of psychological counseling, mothers’ and teachers’ reports of children’s hyperactivity, unsociability, emotional difficulty, or conduct difficulty.(36) Thus, the evidence demonstrates that lesbians and gay men form family units that are similar in many respects to those of heterosexuals. Of course, families headed by gay couples may encounter particular issues and challenges, much as families of racial and ethnic minority group members, low-income families, and single-parent families do. No evidence suggests, however, that families headed by gay couples are as a group unable to meet these challenges. Rather, the evidence demonstrates that lesbians and gay men frequently establish long-term, committed relationships strengthened by the bond of sexual intimacy between the partners, and with increasing incidence successfully raise children in those family settings. " Perfect Partners - About Gay Parents http://www.psychologytoday.com/htdocs/prod/ptoarticle/pto-19950101-000008.asp Lessons From Gay Marriages http://www.psychologytoday.com/htdocs/prod/ptoarticle/pto-19970501-000017.asp Where it also says, The Gay Divorcee is not just an old Fred Astaire musical. In Denmark, where homosexuals have been legally able to get hitched (and unhitched) since 1989, it's a modem reality. But despite stereotypes of gay relationships as short-lived, the divorce rate among Danish homosexuals is only 17 percent, compared to 46 percent for heterosexuals. Gay and lesbian people are just as capable of being good parents as are heterosexual parents. Children who are raised in gay or lesbian homes are no different in any aspects of psychological, social , or sexual development form children in heterosexual families. ~C.J. Patterson, "Children of Lesbian and Gay Parents", Child Development, 63, 1025-1042. More scientific articles on gay parenting http://www.psyclaw.org/delongbrief.html http://www.psyclaw.org/delongauth.html It has become clear that the quality of a family’s relationship is the important virtue for a child to be raised with. In other words, the qualities that help a child grow into a good and responsible adult - learning how to learn, to have compassion for others, to contribute to society and be respectful of others and their differences - do not depend on the sexual orientation of their parents but on their parents’ ability to provide a loving, stable and happy home, something no class of Americans has an exclusive hold on. That is why research studies have consistently shown that children raised by gay and lesbian parents do just as well on all conventional measures of child development, such as academic achievement, psychological well-being and social abilities, as children raised by heterosexual parents. °°Think about the welfare of the children°° It is true that children are members of many gay and lesbian families, the fact remains that those children will continue to be part of those families whether or not their parents are legally married. Those children's lives can only be improved by legalizing their parent's relationship. They will have a more secure legal situation, secure custody, health benefits, etc. For starters, the children can be included in there non-biological mom's health insurance, which means there biological mom might be able to stay home instead of working when they are very young. Legally reconizing same sex marriage will actually encourage healthier families. It has been shown to be psychologically damaging to a child to be raised in a single parent environment. Encouraging commited relationships with homosexuals will help the families with gay parents. Given this, shouldn't we embrace same-sex marriage, which leads to more children raised in stable two-parent homes? Another fact about gay couples and children: When they have kids, its planned. You won't see a gay couple with a bunch of kids on welfare in a one room apartment. What I don't understand is how someone can proclaim to care about children, yet is willing to let hundreds of thousands of them continue to be denied the benefits and protections available from our secular government simply because their parent has a same-sex partner. |
(Males need male role models and females need females models) °°It only pushes nonrealistic stereotypes°° What is the male supposed to model? Aggression? Sports? Trucks? What should the female model? Nurturing? Femininity? Pink clothing? Insisting on gender-based role modeling makes sense only if there are viable models of gender to begin with. Yet psychologists and laypeople increasingly conclude the opposite, that the idea of a model of maleness or femaleness is misleading and constraining. http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m2294/1_41/57590495/p1/article.jhtml?term= Human personality is deeply malleable. Women can be ferociously competitive athletes and hawkish prime ministers; men can be nurses and stay-at-home dads. We're gradually moving beyond the equation of tough woman with "butch" and nurturing man with "sissy." We want all parents to model compassion, responsibility, independence, and good citizenship. These virtues are androgynous. Yes, there are gender-specific items that every child must learn, pertaining to sex and gender. These don't have anything to do with "modeling" and instead more to do with learning about your body. Which tends to be taught in health class and they can easily find it somewhere else. For instance the many internet sites that teach these things. Parents no matter their gender are capable of teaching them. It is what doctors have been doing for a long time no matter their gender. There's little a boy or girl can learn solely from a mother or solely from a father. Kids have role models that are not limited to there parents. It can be a hero that they have heard about. Someone that is very good at something they would like to do someday. It goes with the old saying, it takes a village to raise a child. In an era when even the sport of wrestling has become gender integrated and men take postpartum leave from work, it's strange to consider a child deprived unless she has one parent of each gender. That may be how kids were raised a long time ago. Especially then it was a big social influence that guys can't be like girls. So even to have a girl role model was unheard of. Even in the 1960's it was unheard of to have a black role model until Martin Luther King came along. We can see this social influence when at a certain time it was considered normal for guys to where a dress. Now days if guys wore anything like the gowns they did during the medieval or renaissance times they would be considered not manly. Only by those that are not open minded enough to see beyond social stereotypes. Many people not only allow others to judge them on what they consider normal. They even will subliminally live by it. They will be trapped under it too until they can realize what they are doing. What is important is that kids find who they are as an individual not limited by standards of what is feminine and what is masculine. If it is a part of them they will find it. Also if it is a part of them the only place they can find it is in themselves, be who they individually feel is right and who they are in there hearts. They also have been. All of the studies of children by gay parents have shown they are no different than ones raised by straight parents. °°Love is what makes a family, not labels such as gender°° The families differences are what makes them special, no matter the differences, it doesn't diminsh the amount of love and compassion the children are raised in. What is important is that the parents show them good values, by being loving commited and responsible. Family is love. Family is heart. Family is soul. Family can come in many forms, it is what you make of it. There are many families that are not secluded to blood relations, straight or gay. It can be foster parents, a circle of friends, etc. They are not made by only including those that we see fit into a preconcieved idealogy. Family is what we choose it to be. |