Why oh why might gay youth be self destructive?

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http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=105&topic_id=825171

The above link is a thread about Brandon Teena who was murdered by thugs in Lincoln Nebraska. In the thread the evident self destructive behavior of Brandon was taken to task. Without going into the accuracy of the notion, I would like to discuss why gay and lesbian youth might be self destructive.

Could it be the fact that every day, in ways little and big, we are told that we are immoral, evil, and or not worth the same treatments of others? Could it be the fact that we often grow up devoid of any kind of gay or lesbian role models?

It is a pretty established fact that gays and lesbians are more likely to try suicide and do become addicted to alcohol more often than our straight counter parts. But before you take us to task for that fact, maybe you should look in the mirror and ask what part society might have to do with that.

Until you have been there you might wish to think first speak second.

[DU9598]

1. Great things

I attribute my being a successful lawyer today to the fact that I am gay. If I wasn't working overtime, all the time, to please my parents to "compensate" for what in my mind at the time was my flaw .. I would never be where I am today. The extra stress and pressure was a good thing for me. But, there were days ... oh, were there days.

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5. A very valid point

I graduated high school with a 4.0, and then college with a 3.48. I was obsessed with being perfect, so if I was found out as I was sure I would be, I would be so good I would be accepted. It was only when I tasted some failure and tried to drink it away that I fell on the skids.

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2. life is hard enough for STRAIGHT teens

most teens exhibit a self-destructive streak. at least, they've not come to terms yet with their own mortality.

heap on top of that how society assures them of miserable treatment due to powerful urges they're feeling and can't change, and it's no wonder that gay teens are depressed and suicidal.

there were a number of suicides when i was in high school. dollars to donuts most of them were gay.

[Lizz612]

3. I know so many who are still depressed

They still haven't totally come back from the edge, and I worry about them a lot. I also worry about those of my friends who I, and most of my friends, suspect may still be in the closet. There is one in particular who, because of his family's religion, has really repressed the idea that he should even question his heterosexuality. It gets me so mad that society condemns them for both being gay and for being destructively depressed about it.

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4. I am just shy of four years sober

I know, to quite an extent, of which I speak.

[Moderator]

6. Locking this

This situation has already been addressed. Thank you for your understanding.