Warren Throckmorton does not see the value of protecting or accepting our gay youth through gay-straight alliances ["Emphasis on gay acceptance can pressure confused teenagers," Oct. 23].
He declares that such alliances encourage teenagers to be gay, and that they promote a "cool" lifestyle. This couldn't be further from the truth. The alliances offer a much-needed safe haven to marginalized and oppressed youth.
Gay teens are often the recipients of verbal, physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual abuse that sometimes leads to death. They are told that they are "bad or sinful" by their families, teachers, clergy and others.
We live in a country where a gay teen attempts suicide every 35 minutes. About every six hours, one succeeds.
Teaching tolerance, understanding, and acceptance of gay people in our local schools is not allowed under state law.
The only program that seems to be cultivating acceptance and healthy self-love in our schools is the voluntary establishment of gay-straight alliances, which are initiated by students themselves and then protected by federal law.
Dr. Throckmorton has a longstanding allegiance with anti-gay groups who hold the dangerous and misinformed belief that homosexuals can and should change. All the reputable medical, psychological and counseling associations oppose change therapy.
The American Psychological Association has officially stated, "human beings cannot choose to be either gay or straight. Sexual orientation emerges for most people in early adolescence without any prior sexual experience. The reality is that homosexuality is not an illness. It does not require treatment and is not changeable."
Until our great nation can unite behind the fact that being gay is not bad, chosen, or even good--that gay is just gay, as straight is just straight--there will be a need for gay-straight alliances in our schools.
Rob Tanner
Fredericksburg