Reply #81: That is one of the most arrogant (and incorrect) posts that I think I've ever read on DU [View All]

[JoePhilly]

The first time I counseled a gay teen was in 1983 or 1984. A girl that I was very good friends with had a brother who was gay.

And he was terrified to talk about it. His sister asked me to talk to him because she knew that I had recently written a research paper on Homosexuality as part of a senior project in college. She also knew that I would help her brother understand that while much of the world was not ready to accept him, the was also a large and growing community who did, and they wanted to help.

He and I talked a great deal. And he is still alive.

This might be a good time to mention that I graduated with a BS in Psych shortly after that experience. As a graduate student (now holding MA and PhD), I taught Intro Psych and a few other Psych classes in various areas. In almost every semester, a gay student approached me, in part because I would discuss homosexuality in an open manner, and make those students who were "against gays" defend that position. Oh, and I did this at Texas Tech, where redneck teens thought(probably still think) beating up the gay kid is a sport.

One of my closet friends is a "former Republican". His son is now 15, and its pretty apparent that he is gay. But he's also not ready to discuss that. He's been bullied. And he tries to hide that fact. I've been helping his parents guide him to resources like the Trevor project, and "It gets Better" ... in the hope of getting him to open up. But I think you would agree that he can not be forced, right??

I'm a huge Stephanie Miller fan, and I learned about the Trevor project through her a few years ago. And I have donated to it. I've helped friends engage it.

So, I think what I am saying to you is simple ... you do not know DICK about who I am, or what actions I have taken on this front.

But you certainly felt that you could tell me what I have, or have not done.

If this is how you act in real life, I feel sad for those around you.