Study: “Hostile society leads to gay depression”

[kweerwolf]

A new study has blamed depression amongst lesbian and gay people on homophobia and a hostile society.

The Australian study said that a culture of homophobia was leaving lesbian and gay people with mental health problems, including suicidal tendencies and verbal abuse.

It echoed recent studies in the UK that also pointed to a greater share of depression amongst lesbian and gay people.

Earlier this week, a Northern Ireland study said that as much as 25% of the province’s LGBT community had attempted suicide.

http://uk.gay.com/headlines/9792

This probably won't come as a surprise to those of us you have lived it ... but it's nice to have studies that back up the toll homophobia has on LGBT folks.

[ck4829]

1. Waiting for the 'christian' Right to say something stupid about this study

You know it's going to happen.

[William769]

2. Well theres a no brainer.

[Deja Q]

3. I've said the same thing for YEARS and I don't have any psych diplomas!

Anybody want to hire a homo with brains? I'll do the work cheaply...

[racaulk]

4. No shit!

With the constant messages from society that what you are is wrong, that you should change, that God doesn't love you, that you can possibly be rejected by your loved ones, that you deserve the harassment you get, etc., is this really a surprise to anyone? I remember being a teenager in a small town in the southeast, trying to figure out whether or not I'm gay and coming to terms with it, and being bombarded with constant messages of homophobia like this. Yeah, suicidal thoughts and tendencies were pretty much the norm during that time.

You're right, kweerwolf, it's really nice to have professionals to verify what those of us who have lived it already know. I think this study is a step in the right direction.

In the words of one of my favorite comedians, Suzanne Westenhoeffer (during a stand-up routine talking about a similar study): "They studied that? They could have just asked ME!"

[megatherium]

5. The homophobes already claim that the (alleged) fact that gay people

in cities like SF with large gay communities have high rates of depression prove that these high rates of depression aren't caused by societal disapproval/oppression. After all, immersed in their ghetto, where they can hold hands in public, they're not subject to this kind of oppression. So they say.

Not a fucking clue....

[cboy4]

6. Actually, the "hostile society" has motivated me from

feeling sorry for myself and being timid to speaking out about gay rights and taking action.

And while I feel bad that some gay people are unquestionably depressed, I recommend they begin making their voices heard: Write letters, go to demonstrations and protests, and stuff like that.

I know for some people, it's much easier said than done, but getting everything off of your chest really is awesome therapy, and far cheaper than going to therapy! :bounce:

[mitchtv]

7. In my case it led to Gay Rage

like depression only more mean spirited (much better cutting humor, too)

[TaleWgnDg]

8. This study is nothing new. No way! There's been studies

.

This study is nothing new. No way! There's been studies about this for more than a decade or so.

For example, here, in Massachusetts the gay community asked for, and was granted, a Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth u/ then Governor William F. Weld (R-Massachusetts). The rationale for such a state Commission: studies indicated that public school GLBTs kids were being picked on, verbally abused, physically abused, and that public school GLBTs had a higher rate of suicide, all as a result of homophobia and hostility w/i public schools against GLBTs. Weld agreed and authorized this Commission. Governor Weld was very popular amongst gays in Massachusetts. His Commission exists to this day but not w/o Mitt Romney's attempts (rightwing advocacy group) to implode it.

Here's a document on some statistics/studies: http://www.lambda.org/Gay_student_facts.htm (check out the footnotes, too, particularly the dates).

In other words, there's a deep and long list of studies, not merely this one or another one in the U.K that's contained in the OP. Studies all indicate that it's well accepted fact if a child sustains the slings and arrows of homophobia, physical abuse, and/or worse during public school K-12, then it will affect that child to the point of depression and suicide.

The Commission was formed to help prevent (1) harm caused to GLBT children, (2) harm caused to a learning environment, and (2) litigation.



see also: http://www.article8.org/docs/gay_strategies/framing_the_issue.htm
(another rightwing advocacy group that attempts to implode this Commission)

http://www.mass.gov/gcgly/yrbs03.pdf (.pdf format, AdobeReader(R) required but only one page)
(Massachusetts High School Students and Sexual Orientation - Results of the 2003 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth, Massachusetts)

_________________________________
edited to add:

Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 76, Section 5 (in pertinent part):

"No person shall be excluded from or discriminated against in admission to a public school of any town, or in obtaining the advantages, privileges and courses of study of such public school on account of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation."

-Signed by Massachusetts Governor William F. Weld, December 10, 1993

http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/76-5.htm