5 Gay Teens commit suicide within a 3 week time frame. Do you give a damn?

[SamsungVibrant]

I do

btw just some info from the CDC (which will also give you the ACTUAL stats on teen suicide rates) :

in the US about 30K suicides per year
about 5K teen suicides per year
about 79% of all suicides are males
for males the age group with the highest rates is- over 75
for females the age group with the highest rates is- 45-54

of course there are tons more statistics to throw around..... but thats not the point

I certainly wouldnt argue that being a homosexual in school isnt tough...... and Im sure many of them do consider suicide..... but phony studies and claims dont help their cause at all.......

Im sure these students just love all the added attention being thrown their way......... what could be better for a gay person whos being bullied than to get the spotlight pointed right at them

its sad that any kid is discriminated and bullied to the extent that they would consider suicide...... but I dont think making the headlines is really going to help the cause any

Umm just so you know, the CDC didn't do their own research to come up with those numbers. The CDC uses outside studies, often published by groups not associated with the CDC. Then they compile that information into the data you listed. So I really don't know what you were trying to prove, other than CDC just made a list from research done by other groups. Your data also had GLBT suicide rates omitted.

The only thing the CDC does is performs a national suicide survey, twice a year, and sexual orientation is omitted from the suicide risk assessment survey.

By the way you don't have to bring up the CDC to me, trust me, I've worked directly with two professors, one in particular who is a Nobel Laureate who has taught the CDC a thing or two.

 

[TozyJay]

Let's try to be sensitive to each other, no matter what side of the issue we are on. Nobody is going to deny that a lot of truly terrible stuff going on in the world. However that does not make the issue presented in this thread any less important. No matter what other awful things are taking place in this world, the persecution of homosexuals is still a travesty.

We tell gay kids (in the United States) that they cannot get married, join the military, and that in general they are not natural and yet we can't understand why they would be insecure or upset emotionally? This is not rocket science, IMHO. Showing some compassion and equality would help.

Yes, there are many many groups of people who are discriminated against but it is undeniable that homosexuals are one.

 

[tylerdurdin]

You know I never actually answered the post, and now that I keep seeing it on the board my answer is no, no i dont really give a damn.

 

[SamsungVibrant]

And BTW what the hell is this about? You are lucky you are where you are. What kind of response is this to me? This is my point, your gay issue takes front page while to me the earth is alot bigger than 3% of the earths population to me. How much did you donate to the world trade center families? how about hurricane katrina, how about millions of earthquake victims, cancer patients? Dont try to out do me in insensitive you wont win, i assure you, no one cares less about self inflicted tragedy than me.

Ya I'm sorry that 4yr old died, but you are trying to compare an isolated hunting accident to GLBT suicide which is an epidemic.

Just so you know, I'm only in my 20's but I've battled cancer and at this very moment as I sit here and type I am in need of a biopsy for a new growth. My sister also died of cancer. My involvement in cancer is more than you could imagine.

I volunteer relentlessly with an organization which provides healthcare to underprivileged people, we go into poor neighborhoods, and provide the medical aid, medication, and counseling these people need.

I have done research and I have been published for my work as an undergrad, something very few undergrads can claim. I can tell you exactly how the Hiv virus works on a molecular level, inside and out.

I volunteer with an organization bringing HIV awareness to communities most at risk.

Did I donate to 911 families, NO, did you?

Have you had cancer? Did your sister die of cancer? Are you involved in more than one Cancer organization? Yes, I am.

Have you traveled abroad with an organization that provides medical aid and immunization to children in 3rd world countries? Yes I have

In high school did you volunteer and directly tutor children with special needs, yes I did. This is why it breaks my heart when people make fun of mentally disabled people or people with psychological problems such as schizophrenia.

Did I donate to Hurricane Katrina, No, did you?

I mean what is your point. You call me insensitive because I pointed out how ridiculous it is to compare a 4yr old dying in a hunting accident to the Gay Rights movement? How could you even compare the two. Trust me I'm sorry that 4yr old died, truely am, I'm the kind of person that stops traffic when I see a dog crossing the road, in fear another car will hit it. But comparing a hunting accident to the Gay Rights movement, that was just absurd.

Maybe when black people were being lynched your grandparents were just like you and complained that their friends 4yr old daughter died of measles. Oh those damn black people, all they do is complain about equal rights and dying and being lynched, what about my friends 4 yr old daughter who died of measles.

My god, really people.

 

[Sid Bonkers]

I feel more sorry for Ginger people

 

[ntrddragn]

Really man, or woman, whatever you are, you made no sense.

Im a man

And you must be...

 

[Crude]

I am not gay and I was harassed in school for being American. DO you have any clue what's it's like being the only one in the whole school? I had my coat vandalized 3 times. I was lucky if I got a decent grade in English only because the teachers wanted to prove their linguistic skills superior to mine. I got beat up in front my class mates by a Turkish Muslim for being American. Gay's need to suck it up and deal with...just like I did.

I'm being serious in case this sounds like a yoke.

 

[mpw]

I'm a passionate believer in equal rights, and I 'give a damn' about all people, not just specific groups... but I have to say, hearing the message from SamsungVibrant just seems to weaken the argument somehow. Maybe it's the way the message is trying to be hammered home as if it's not already understood by most right-thinking people, maybe it's the arrogance and of his posting style I don't know, but I just find it sounds less credible than when I hear it elsewhere. Shame.

...I don't know why people think someone with schizophrenia is so funny...

'cause it's a double act, you get the comic and the straight man in one?

 

[Frisco]

You know I never actually answered the post, and now that I keep seeing it on the board my answer is no, no i dont really give a damn.

We all have that right.

When we listen a bit more to some who say they don't care about this or that issue, we learn that they do care, however the thing they care about is preserving their views, which are often narrow and, well, uncaring.

But sometimes, "I don't care" is really a way of saying, "I don't understand what the big deal is." That's when they need to listen more and at least try to understand, in my opinion.

 

[byteware]

Seriously? I understand you have an issue to grind, but this is a bit much don't you think?

According to NIH, 6.9 of every 100,000 Children 14 to 19 commit suicide each year.

According to the US Census, there are between 25 million teens in the United States.

Going off of 25 million, that means that there are 250 groups of 100,000 teens. That means that 1725 teens commit suicide in the US each year.

That's almost 5 per day (4.7).

If only 5 gay teens have committed suicide in 3 weeks (which is highly unlikely) that would mean that it took gay teens 3 weeks to reach the rate of straight teen suicide.



It seems a bit ridiculous to be asking us to be upset about 5 over 3 weeks, when we are losing 5 every day.



It also seems a bit ridiculous that only 5 of the 99 teens who committed suicide over that 3 weeks were gay. And even if that WERE true, it seems even more ridiculous to be concerned about 5 gay teens, instead of the 94 straight teens that committed suicide.

 

[Frisco]

..it seems even more ridiculous to be concerned about 5 gay teens, instead of the 94 straight teens that committed suicide.

Straight teens don't commit suicide because they are straight and vilified by the gay community.

 

[zauper]

Ya I'm sorry that 4yr old died, but you are trying to compare an isolated hunting accident to GLBT suicide which is an epidemic.

Just so you know, I'm only in my 20's but I've battled cancer and at this very moment as I sit here and type I am in need of a biopsy for a new growth. My sister also died of cancer. My involvement in cancer is more than you could imagine.

I volunteer relentlessly with an organization which provides healthcare to underprivileged people, we go into poor neighborhoods, and provide the medical aid, medication, and counseling these people need.

I have done research and I have been published for my work as an undergrad, something very few undergrads can claim. I can tell you exactly how the Hiv virus works on a molecular level, inside and out.

I volunteer with an organization bringing HIV awareness to communities most at risk.

Did I donate to 911 families, NO, did you?

Have you had cancer? Did your sister die of cancer? Are you involved in more than one Cancer organization? Yes, I am.

Have you traveled abroad with an organization that provides medical aid and immunization to children in 3rd world countries? Yes I have

In high school did you volunteer and directly tutor children with special needs, yes I did. This is why it breaks my heart when people make fun of mentally disabled people or people with psychological problems such as schizophrenia.

Did I donate to Hurricane Katrina, No, did you?

I mean what is your point. You call me insensitive because I pointed out how ridiculous it is to compare a 4yr old dying in a hunting accident to the Gay Rights movement? How could you even compare the two. Trust me I'm sorry that 4yr old died, truely am, I'm the kind of person that stops traffic when I see a dog crossing the road, in fear another car will hit it. But comparing a hunting accident to the Gay Rights movement, that was just absurd.

Maybe when black people were being lynched your grandparents were just like you and complained that their friends 4yr old daughter died of measles. Oh those damn black people, all they do is complain about equal rights and dying and being lynched, what about my friends 4 yr old daughter who died of measles.

My god, really people.

Did you do all of those things so that you could brag about them to anonymous strangers on an internet forum to prove how much you care about the community?

As a part of your holier-than-thou attitude demonstrating how much you care about people other than yourself? Because it sure seems that way, both in this post and others not only in this thread but other threads as well.

Frankly, I'm not impressed by what you've done for the community, or your own personal experiences. Everyone has had bad experiences. Everyone has volunteered with, or helped, the community in one way or another. Posting a list of what you've done like this just makes you seem like you don't care about the people you have helped.

 

[byteware]

The corollary is that straight teens don't commit suicide because they are straight and vilified by the gay community.

Between 2.5 and 3 percent of the US population is homosexual (estimate).

If this holds true to teens, then out of 99 suicides... you would expect to see a little under 3. He's reporting 2 more than expected on average.

Honestly, we don't know WHY gay teens commit suicide any more than we know WHY straight teens commit suicide.

We can guess and present our opinions, but those aren't facts. A similar percentage of straight teens commit suicide without those pressures that people claim cause gay teens to commit suicide.

 

[Frisco]

Bigoted expressions of societal pressures and expectations in our culture are powerful and impact us all. Some are debilitating to minorities, some downright deadly to them.

This is not rocket science.

 

[jayjay1122]

If you don't already know, the suicide rate for GLBT teens is statistically very high.

In the span of just 3 weeks alone, 5 gay teens have committed suicide. Is this acceptable?
Fifth Gay Teen Suicide Sparks Debate - ABC News

Instead of leaving useless posts saying "prove they killed themselves because they were gay," don't you think as a society we should do something proactive instead and give a damn?
Give A Damn

I've read through all the posts on this thread and I find the suicide of any person sad and tragic, whatever their motivations. I've also read a lot your posts in many other threads in the Lounge and specifically the Politics and Current Affairs forum. I see a blatant pattern developing of anger and hatred of all things that differ from what you believe. There is being provocative and then there is inciting!

I find it interesting that you vehemently preach tolerance and understanding yet you lambaste and attack any viewpoint that differs from your own. You routinely call people who's political viewpoints differ from yours stupid and uneducated. Not very tolerant of all people and all things as you say!

That said, you are entitled to your opinion but I strongly hope your intent was not simply to start a heated and hate filled argument at the expense of material in the news story you posted! That my friend would be as disgusting as the intolerance and insensitivity you claim is your motivation.

 

[byteware]

Bigoted expressions of societal pressures and expectations in our culture are powerful and impact us all. Some are debilitating to minorities, some downright deadly to them.

This is not rocket science.

It is NOT rocket science. We expect gay kids to commit suicide as a result of being gay...

However, 5 gay teens in 3 weeks isn't that far outside the number of teens of any group expected to commit suicide.

Furthermore, it's rather self righteous to try to raise the issue of 5 gay teens committing suicide in 3 weeks, and ignore the 94 other teens that committed suicide in that same time frame.

 

[bigbadwulff]

Any time anyone commits suicide it is a concern. Their sexual 'preference' is of no concern to me or it's said it should be no concern of mine.

Why do they not report when 'straight' kids commit suicide?

You got it. This is all political fodder.

Back to the REAL world...

 

[KonaZXIII]

‎"Dear America, when you tell gay Americans that they can't serve their country openly, or marry the person that they love, you're telling that to kids, too. So don't be f***ing shocked, and wonder where all these bullies are coming from that are torturing young kids, and driving them to kill themselves because they're different. They learned it from watching you." -Sarah Silverman

 

[Frisco]

It is NOT rocket science. We expect gay kids to commit suicide as a result of being gay...

However, 5 gay teens in 3 weeks isn't that far outside the number of teens of any group expected to commit suicide.

Furthermore, it's rather self righteous to try to raise the issue of 5 gay teens committing suicide in 3 weeks, and ignore the 94 other teens that committed suicide in that same time frame.

I disagree with any "self righteous" motive or underlying impetus in garnering support for gays and their plight; it's a world wide problem.

I do, however, sense a mean-spirited self righteousness when I read or listen to some of the rather energetic opposition to focusing on these issues.

There is nothing to be afraid of when it comes to turning our attention to these things. We in the so-called straight community, the majority, all have gays in our work, school and family environment (whether you know it yet or not); it deserves attention for many reasons, some personal, some a matter of responsibility to our community.

 

[bigbadwulff]

So why not report it as just teen suicide? That is all it is. It's reported as 'gay suicide' for purely political reasons.
This is why we have a new political movement, the Tea Party. Because we are sick of the political bend of the media.
Report the news. Don't put your political spin on it. Here's to a new political machine in a month or so!

 

[jayjay1122]

There is nothing to be afraid of when it comes to turning our attention to these things. We in the so-called straight community, the majority, all have gays in our work, school and family environment (whether you know it yet or not); it deserves attention for many reasons, some personal, some a matter of responsibility to our community.

Well said Frisco!

My feelings on this thread specifically is that I question its motives more than the content. I think what a lot posters are finding issue with is the idea of any one group of people taking their own life as any more or less tragic than another.

I personally (and I say this without having children) cannot imagine the horrible trauma a parent would feel at the self inflicted loss of their child, no matter the reason behind it.

 

[ElasticNinja]

So why not report it as just teen suicide? That is all it is. It's reported as 'gay suicide' for purely political reasons.
This is why we have a new political movement, the Tea Party. Because we are sick of the political-bent of the media.
Report the news. Don't put your political spin on it. Here's to a new political machine in a month or so!

TEA PARTY FTW!

Creationism FTW!

Symbian FTW!

Palinism FTW!

Nixxxxxoooooooooooonn!!!!!!!!!

Scientists FTL!!!!!

 

[gallandof]

I dont think the whole "give a damn" is directed to those of us who are already open and understanding to those who live a different lifestyle. Instead to those who find something wrong with being gay, those are the ones that should start giving a damne and realizing regardless of life style choice they deserve the same equality as anyone else.

 

[JQwerty91]

I knew both of the Rutgers students charged in the Cleminte Incident. Dharun always tried to prank and was a notorious trickster, Molly on the other hand was both a sweet chic and naughty I would say. It's sad that they basically ruined their chances of getting a degree or a job and that Tyler had to commit suicide. A bad move gone worse.

Proof

Molly and Me at the left:

The Washington Seminar at D.C. with Dharun (Far left)

 

[byteware]

I disagree with any "self righteous" motive or underlying impetus in garnering support for gays and their plight; it's a world wide problem.

I do, however, sense a mean-spirited self righteousness when I read or listen to some of the rather energetic opposition to focusing on these issues.

There is nothing to be afraid of when it comes to turning our attention to these things. We in the so-called straight community, the majority, all have gays in our work, school and family environment (whether you know it yet or not); it deserves attention for many reasons, some personal, some a matter of responsibility to our community.

If we were seeing a disproportionate number of gay teen suicides, that would be one thing, and I would completely agree with you.

However, since we are seeing suicides among the two groups at much the same rate, we have to assume that they are committing suicide for much the same reason.

I suspect it has to do with a predisposition to mental illness. This is not noticed, not diagnosed, and proves fatal for the victim.

It's self righteous to focus on one group that we are all supposed to feel sorry for, while a much larger group suffers from the same fate.

If you want to feel bad about teens committing suicide, fine. If you just want to focus on gay teens, that's fine too. Just don't ask the rest of us to focus on 5 while ignoring the 94.