Words Fail Me… Sort Of.
(Sorry for the lack of updates as of late… I’m got too many balls in the air at the moment, but articles will be coming shortly, I swear!)
This is not a perfume or flavor related post, and I avoid being “political” here usually, but I think regardless of your own political or philosophical persuasion, you’ll find this disgusting:
“Suicidal Teens Welcome,” at Neatorama.
That is sick. The strange irony here is that the U.S. military’s nebulous “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy with regards to gay and lesbian service members still officially results in openly homosexual soldiers being dishonorably discharged; Meanwhile, gay teens are “2 to 3 times more likely to attempt suicide” than other teens. I lost a beautiful friend to suicide when I was in high school, and I have always felt like much of the reason behind that was the inner-torture he felt due to his bisexuality. But that is, of course, only a side issue here. To say the least, that is an egregiously predatory placard in the recruiting station window. The causes for suicide are complex, and not easily solved simply by joining up with the Army, especially in light of the fact that soldiers in combat zones themselves have elevated suicide rates.
It’s not just about the individuals themselves. It’s also about the overall safety of their fellow soldiers. I have a number of family members on both sides that are in the armed services, and it chills me to think that the guy/gal behind them fresh from training may be harboring suicidal thoughts. Such mental health issues can come up in stressful military situations, but recruiting those who definitely have them is another matter.
I hope this is just a photoshopped hoax, ala The Simpsons.
I’m sickened.
4 Responses to “Words Fail Me… Sort Of.”
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Leopoldo
Said this on February 14th, 2007 at 1:18am:*shakes head in disbelief*
Scentzilla!
Said this on February 14th, 2007 at 5:13am:Hi L! I seriously hope it turns out the photo has been jimmied with… because as much as I hate hoaxes and pranks, this is too awful to have to think about.
Andy
Said this on February 16th, 2007 at 4:18am:Ah, Katie. What to say? I am shaking my head like Leo….here’s a comfort sentence: Every injustice carries the seeds for its own distruction. I heard that once in a different context but it is very true.
Being a teen is hard, being a gay teen harder? I guess so, although for me this wasn’t true. Luckily, there are quite some gays and lesbians around today, living openly, like myself, and thus being a role model for youngsters. I am confident that here in Europe where more and more countries allow a legal status close to marriage to gay and lesbian couples things will improve.
As a matter of fact, looking back 20 years things have improved a lot. And that’s good.
Scentzilla!
Said this on February 17th, 2007 at 2:33pm:Andy, things have changed some (for the better, I feel) in the US since I was a teenager, but it’s still just tough as hell for so many kids. (And, I suppose it goes without saying, adults, too.) But I saw too many friends struggle with their sexual identity, and it still hurts to think about what they went through. I even lost one friend after our high school years were over who decided he could magically “reform” himself (his family was a big influence there, equating being gay with being sinful) ; He broke off our friendship claiming I was a “bad influence” since I thought who he authentically was happened to be perfectly fine. He seemed broken and deeply depressed the last time I saw him. No wonder that. I think some things have improved for young people since then, espcially with awareness and good support groups like PFLAG, but… it’s less than an ideal situation even in this day and age for kids in the US culture. I am choosing to be an optimist though, and like to hope that it’s all improving slowly.