Anyone remember the less than dazzling premiere of 4parents.gov-the government site purporting to advise parents on how to answer questions about sexuality from their children?
The website contained the usual misinformation regarding condom use and much extolling of the abstinence only approach.
And of course just the barest hint that some children just might be under the impression that they were not heterosexual. What to do about that?
If you believe your adolescent may be gay, or is experiencing difficulties with gender identity or sexual orientation issues, consider seeing a family therapist who shares your values to clarify and work through these issues.
Note that as usual, the heck with finding a well trained, reputable therapist, shared values are so much more important than, say, facts.
There was also the usual labeling of GLBT people as having a life style, versus a real life. This was after one rewrite, first time around we got only the nebulous label “alternative lifestyle”.
This may change thanks to an Amendment to the HHS funding bill put forward by Sen.Arlen Specter and approved by the Appropriations Committee.Rep. Henry Waxman had four scientists who work in related fields go over the web site for inaccuracies
and their findings were pretty damning.
The authorities found that the site still contains inaccurate information about sexually transmitted diseases and understates the effectiveness of condoms, provides false information about HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and misstates the risks of various types of sexual behavior.
They also pointed out:
that HHS continues to use inappropriate language and provides incomplete information about sexual orientation. The sites errs, the scientists said, by referring to gay and lesbian “lifestyles” rather than “people,” and does not explain to parents that youth questioning their sexual orientation are at increased risk for suicide most often because of rejection, ostracism, harassment, and violence by other peers and adults.
While the amendment only calls for review it’s a first step, if a baby step, toward getting some rational voices into the “official line”.
via 365GAy
http://www.365gay.com/
