Oh, no, I’m not being flippant about a death — I really do wonder what St. Peter had to say to Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, the Vatican’s poster boy for a Dark-Ages mentality on same-sex marriage, stem cell research, and a woman’s right to choose, and who, most (in)famously, outright lied when he said condoms don’t do anything to prevent the spread of HIV. (The World Health Organization set everybody straight — so to speak — on that note, reiterating that condoms are 90% effective, and failure was usually due to improper installation.)
Not, mind you, that I really believe in the whole St. Peter/Pearly Gates thing; I don’t. But I’m a happy little agnostic quite content with the idea that wherever we end up, it’s of our own making: If you expect to see St. Peter, or some Pearly Gates, then you will.
But I digress, as usual.
Serendipity flowing freely this week, it was ironic, but rather satisfying in a mean, Schadenfreude kind of way, to hear that the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (chaired by one of our few remaining heroes in the Democratic Party, Henry Waxman [D-Calif.]) is holding a hearing today to re-open the issue of whether or not abstinence-only programs work.
The reality is: They don’t. But as long as Radical Righteous Religionists exist — and as long as they maintain their stranglehold on our government — the reality of the situation needs to be hammered into many thick skulls before the U.S. gives up this killer (and I do mean killer) notion that if you withhold contraceptives and fact-based sex education, people will stop getting STDs, and stop having abortions.
What needs to stop is handing over taxpayer dollars to “faith-based” institutions that do nothing to decrease the spread of STDs or unwanted pregnancies, and in fact only serve to exacerbate the situation(s).
Sometimes it seems the only way to a new Age of Englightenment is to outlive the troglodytes who think they can pray the AIDS away. And so it is with an uncomfortable mixture of both sadness and relief that we mark the passing of Cardinal Trujillo: There was a man who stood no hope of being enlightened and reborn into a healthy, helpful, reality-based way of thinking, and now he’s gone. That’s the sad part. The relief (which troubles me to admit to) comes with the knowledge that there is one less powerful person on this planet standing in the way of countless millions being equipped with the knowledge and tools they need to save their own lives, and the lives of many others.
I’ll leave you with that thought, and with the ACLU’s writeup on today’s abstinence-only hearing — so my “faith-based” readers might understand that I’m not some sort of heartless ghoul celebrating the death of an “enemy.”
You see, Cardinal Trujillo called every struggle for control over our own lives and our own bodies, from same-sex marriage to euthanasia, a “culture of death,” when the truth is that lying about condoms and stem cell research and all the rest kills people. It is the Cardinal Trujillos of this world who propagate a “culture of death.”
Evidence Once Again Shows Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs Don’t Work
WASHINGTON, DC — April 23 — The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform will hold a hearing today titled “Domestic Abstinence-Only Programs: Assessing the Evidence.” The ACLU applauds Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) for bringing new attention to this deeply troubling policy and the committee’s willingness to examine the public health policy implications of abstinence-only programs. We look forward to the testimony of scientists, clinicians, researchers and youth activists who will report on the failures of abstinence-only education programs.
Their testimony is supported by research which has repeatedly shown that, at best, abstinence-only programs do not delay sexual initiation and, at worst, may actually cause harm by providing young people with dangerously inadequate and inaccurate information. A troubling recent report found teens in Florida, a state that relies on abstinence-only programs, who believed drinking a can of Mt. Dew would prevent unintended pregnancy, or drinking a capful of bleach would prevent HIV/AIDS.
In addition to the clear and compelling public health concerns of abstinence-only programs, the ACLU has submitted a statement to the committee addressing the civil liberties concerns raised by these programs. Abstinence-only programs censor information, reinforce gender stereotypes, provide inaccurate and misleading information, promote religion, serve a narrow ideological agenda, stigmatize lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth, and jeopardize the well-being of young people.
“The evidence leads to only one conclusion: abstinence-only programs represent a failed policy,” said Vania Leveille, legislative counsel at the ACLU Washington Legislative Office. “They are driven by ideology and politics, rather than by science or good public health policy, and our young people are suffering as a result. Most troubling, they represent a purposeful campaign to mislead, distort, stifle and censor, and are part of a disturbing trend to politicize science. The ACLU urges congressional action to bring this failed policy to an end.”
Since 1996, the U.S. government has poured more than a billion dollars into abstinence-only education programs so ineffective and dangerous that seventeen states have refused funding. At a time when the administration emphasizes accountability in funding only programs with demonstrated success, the continued funding of unproven abstinence-only programs is unacceptable.
The ACLU’s statement to the committee is available here
Hat tip to Daniel Gonzales of Box Turtle Bulletin. He has created this wonderful video that lays bare the ugly truth behind the Day of Truth, the RRRW’s “answer” to the Day of Silence. It’s the day they push anti-gay propaganda on LGBT students, their allies, and everyone else. Fortunately the real truth is on our side, and here is just one piece of ammunition.
No doubt by now most of you are aware that the Day of Silence is April 25th (and the “Day of (un)Truth” follows on the 28th). Lance Bass, formerly of *NSYNC, has contributed his time to this wonderful PSA for the DOS.
As you may be aware, GLSEN’s Day of Silence is on Friday, April 25th. Since the bigots must fight any house of cards erected by the LGBT community with a bulldozer, Alliance Defense Fund will be holding their “Day of Truth” on Monday, April 28th. Needless to say they’ll be using their version of the truth.
They have prepared talking points so students faced with any “hostile questions” (read: logical questions anybody would ask bigots) can pawn off their “deeply held religious beliefs” as fact. There’s also a propaganda sheet that will ensure the bigots can recite by rote the 10 top reasons gay people deserve to be treated like crap. But thankfully Wayne Besen has ammunition. Watch and learn.
Now you’re armed and ready to fight the forces of evil. Go get ‘em!
Two Bills Threatening Student Safety Die in Committee
EQCA Opposes Measures Designed to Strip Away Student Civil Rights Protections
SACRAMENTO — April 3 — Two bills opposed by Equality California failed in the Assembly Education Committee yesterday, safeguarding existing protections for California students. The measures would have stripped away important civil rights protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students.
Members of the Assembly Education Committee rejected both Assembly Bill 2085 and Assembly Bill 2086 with a 6-3 vote along party lines. Every Republican assemblymember on the committee voted to repeal student protections. The six votes against the bills came from Democrats.
AB 2085 would have deleted existing protections against discrimination in public school instruction based on actual or perceived sexual orientation and perceived gender, disability, nationality, race or ethnicity, and religion. The bill would have voided student safeguards that were secured with EQCA-sponsored legislation. AB 2086 would have discouraged schools from offering diversity programs, such as Coming Out Week and Day of Silence, that discuss sexual orientation and gender identity issues. Both measures were authored by Assemblymember Bob Huff, R-Diamond Bar.
“We are pleased California’s fair-minded legislators opposed these bills today, recognizing the progress we have made to ensure that all people, especially our youth, are treated fairly, equally, and with respect,” said EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors. “Although we have secured important protections under law for all California youth, anti-gay activists and policy makers continue to attack the civil rights of our young people. We must continue to be vigilant in stopping these attacks in their tracks in order to safeguard the youth protections we have worked long and hard to secure.”
Last week, EQCA issued an action alert to its members and supporters asking them to urge members of the Assembly Education Committee to oppose AB 2085 and AB 2086. Nearly 3,000 letters were sent to the committee.
Testifying in opposition of the bills, Lance Chih, a 20-year-old college student from Sacramento, recalled discrimination he faced in high school because he identifies as gay.
“I remember how afraid I was to go to my school,” Chih said. “I remember sitting in class and being harassed for being gay – and the teacher doing nothing to intervene. The laws that are in place are designed to help make, and keep, school a safe environment. There were a few teachers on my campus that were following the law and were there to protect me. The next student may not be as lucky, especially if we make it OK to tolerate blatant bullying and discrimination.”
In an attempt to erase some of the student civil rights laws that protect LGBT youth in California, anti-gay organizations have filed a lawsuit in state court. The suit attacks the Student Civil Rights Act (SB 777), which reinforced existing state laws that prohibit discrimination in publicly-funded schools and activities based on religion, race or ethnicity, disability, gender and sexual orientation. Opponents of SB 777, authored by Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica, are also collecting signatures for a voter initiative to repeal certain student civil rights protections.
Organizations that joined EQCA to oppose AB 2085 included the American Civil Liberties Union, Anti-Defamation League, Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality, California State Conference of the NAACP, California Teachers Association, Los Angeles Unified School District, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and California NOW. Groups opposed to AB 2086 included the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, District IX, California Family Health Council, California Federation of Teachers and Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California.
The DeFrank Center and Equality California need your urgent help to stop two bills in the Legislature that would take protections away from youth.
Anti-gay activists want to strip away safe schools protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth that we have worked long and hard to secure. The latest assault comes next week - when two anti-equality bills come before the Assembly Education Committee.
The DeFrank LGBT Community Center is joining Equality California in urging members of the California State Education Committee to stop these hateful attacks on LGBT students.
Stop Assembly Bill 2085 (Huff) AB 2085 would delete existing civil rights protections against discrimination in public school instruction based on actual or perceived sexual orientation and perceived gender (including gender identity) disability, nationality, race or ethnicity, and religion.
Stop Assembly Bill 2086 (Huff) This bill would discourage schools from offering diversity programs that discuss sexual orientation and gender identity issues. Programs like Coming Out Week and the Day of Silence, which could be affected by this bill, are critical for fighting intolerance that often leads to harassment and violence against LGBT youth.
All students need and deserve school settings that are free from hate and discrimination. These spiteful bills must be stopped to protect our youth. Take action today.
Thank you for helping the DeFrank LGBT Center and EQCA stop unfair attacks on our equality and our youth. Please forward this to everyone you know and ask them to supprt the equailty and safe of youth in school.
Propaganda and Hate Groups like NARTH and Traditional Values Coalition are fond of throwing out statistics citing the fact that LGBT individuals tend to have a higher predisposition to substance abuse (as well as other mental health issues). What they don’t tell you is the reasons behind those problems, because then they’d be exposing their own guilt. Enter this new study:
The odds of substance use for lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) youth are on average 190 percent higher than for heterosexual youth, according to a study by University of Pittsburgh researchers published in the current issue of Addiction. What’s more, for some sub-populations of LGB youth, the odds were substantially higher, including 340 percent for bisexual youth and 400 percent for lesbians, researchers found.
Ok, nothing new there. But read on. It gets better.
“Homophobia, discrimination and victimization are largely what are responsible for these substance use disparities in young gay people,” said Michael P. Marshal, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychiatry at the Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC, who led the study. “History shows that when marginalized groups are oppressed and do not have equal opportunities and equal rights, they suffer. Our results show that gay youth are clearly no exception.”
Interesting none of the “Won’t somebody please think of the children?” people can be moved to consider the LGBT children who are suffering as a result of their bigotry and oppression.
In a meta-analysis of 18 previous studies from 1994 to 2006, which tested the association between sexual orientation and teen substance use, Pitt researchers found that gay youth reported higher rates of cigarette, alcohol and marijuana use, as well as other illicit drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamines and injection drugs. Almost all of the studies in their review were cross-sectional, suggesting that very little is known about the long-term patterns or consequences of drug use in this vulnerable population. Furthermore, the authors conducted a systematic review of the prevention and intervention guidelines published by the American Medical Association, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the National Institute on Alcohol and Alcoholism and the Institute of Medicine. They found that none of the institutions mentioned sexual orientation as a potential risk factor for substance use in teens, and did not provide information for researchers and health care professionals on how to prevent such problems.
“It is important to remember that the vast majority of gay youth are happy and healthy, despite the stressors of living in a violent, homophobic society,” noted Dr. Marshal. “More than anything, gay youth need love, support and acceptance from their family members and friends. It also is imperative that health care providers offer a safe, confidential environment to discuss health care needs with gay teens.”…
Though this is a significant study I doubt the people who need to heed it most will do so as it would require them to change their attitudes and behaviors. Accordingly we’ll continue to fight an uphill battle. Nonetheless we have another valuable weapon in our arsenal, for which I am very grateful.
