Wednesday, October 06, 2010

CNN Links Conservative "Pro-Family" Groups to Gay Suicides

In a move long, long overdue in the mainstream media, CNN has connected the dots and publicly said what many in the LGBT community have been saying for a long time: that these conservative "family values" organizations are fueling homophobia and working over time to make LGBT citizens outcasts, which fuels bullying and other forces that contribute to gay suicides. CNN needs to take it the next step and hang responsibility around the necks of politicians that do the bidding of these groups and/or, like our "fierce advocate" in the White House lack the backbone and moral strength to stand up to them and call them out. Focus on the Family, Family Research Council, NOM - all of these groups are accessories to suicides which demonstrates that their "pro-life" whining is utter bullshit. They claim to worry about the unborn, but then do all they can to make life a living Hell for those already born. These folks truly make the Pharisees of the Bible look reputable. Here are some highlights from CNN:
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In light of the recent suicides reportedly brought about by persistent bullying, CNN has taken upon itself to address not only a national bullying crisis, but any homophobia or anti-gay behavior seen as contributing to such bullying. The network apparently believes that socially conservative groups contribute to the problem of putting kids down who have homosexual tendencies.

CNN senior legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin and author Rosalind Wiseman agreed that conservative groups who oppose protective measures for gay students simply treat them as outcasts. Wiseman, author of "Queen Bees and Wannabees," called their efforts "anti-child."
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"These groups don't think homosexuality is normal," Toobin remarked of conservative groups. "They think it's wrong. They think it is a menace to society. So they are the ones who are making it harder for kids, who feel isolated enough as it is, to come forward."
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"I mean, this is not some sort of value-neutral approach by these conservative groups. They are trying to make homosexuality an outcast condition, and that's part of the problem," Toobin insisted. Wiseman agreed, adding "And really, what that really comes down to is being anti-child and anti-against the dignity of every single child who walks in through the doors of that school."
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Anderson Cooper brought the gay-rights issue into the debate. "I've been reading a lot, particularly right now, a case in Minnesota where there are a lot of conservative groups, anti-gay groups who say, you know, this is an attempt to promote some sort of gay agenda in schools," Cooper remarked of efforts to encourage young students with gay tendencies to be themselves.
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Wiseman complained that sex-ed programs are difficult to introduce to schools' curricula, tacitly suggesting social conservatives were also to blame for that situation.
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See the full article for a partial transcript. I certainly hope that this coverage will spill over into other news outlets and lay responsibility for gay suicides at the feet of the anti-gay Christianist organizations.

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