Right-wing social stances have harmful consequences to teenagers, young adults
The number of self-identifying LGBT youth or youth perceived to be LGBT by others who commit suicide is roughly four times higher than their heterosexual counterparts. These suicides often are ignored by the national spotlight, but on occasion one may catch the media's attention.
This happens to be the case of Jamey Rodemeyer, a 14-year-old boy from Buffalo, N.Y., who identified himself as gay.
Amazingly, Jamey had been complaining online about his classmates harassing him at school and no one stepping in to stop his daily torment.
It's easy to say now what could have been done to prevent the death of a boy who was loved by so many. In actuality, there's nothing that can be done to change the past. We can only look forward and try to correct the future.
LGBT youth are harassed every day by fellow students who have seen this treatment as acceptable by some social conservatives in their community and on television.
Politicians speak out on how homosexuality is a disease and how any youth who are unsure of their sexuality should seek counseling to try and "straighten" themselves back out, which has proven only to lead to deeper depression and lowered feelings of self-worth.
During Thursday's Fox News/Google debate, the crowd of self-proclaimed social conservatives jeered a solider in the United States military for proclaiming that he was gay and curious as to how each candidate would handle the "don't ask, don't tell" policy now that it is repealed.
Rick Santorum, the candidate to whom the question was directed, did not acknowledge that the audience disrespected the person who was fighting so hard for their freedom and didn't even thank the soldier for his hard work.
A very clear message from the social conservatives was passed to the audience that homosexuality would not be tolerated under any condition, even when they are the reason those people have the right to say what they would like.
Social conservatives, a group that claims to stand on a strong pro-life platform is doing the exact opposite through their actions.
Gay youth hear the message of intolerance and can be pushed to depression and even contemplate suicide.
If a gay soldier is booed, why would the group tolerate a gay teen? LGBT youth deserve to be treated with full respect and not forced to pretend to be someone they aren't just to please a social group.
Ultimately, political leaders need to set a good example for future generations to follow.
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