Eat right. Wear seatbelts. Avoid cigarettes. Use sunscreen. Yearly, thousands of college kids hear this wisdom from their university health services and wellness professors. However, it is unlikely that these same students will hear this gem: “Casual sexual liaisons on … Continue reading
Warren Throckmorton
Environmental Factors May Influence Sexual Orientation
Study Also Questions Fraternal Birth Order Effect Mark Twain said once: “Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.” If environmental factors in sexual orientation could talk, they might say the same thing. For sure, social or family factors in … Continue reading
Does Birth Order Predict Sexual Orientation?
Does family birth order predict homosexual orientation? If you read the popular press, you might think so. A recent report from Canadian psychologist, Anthony Bogaert, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests a link for males, but … Continue reading
Brokeback Syndrome: More Than One Way Off the Mountain
By now, the plot line of Brokeback Mountain is well known. For those just returning from another planet, here it is: in the early 1960s, two young, male sheep herders, Jack Twist and Ennis Del Mar become sexually involved for … Continue reading
Uninformed Consent: Abortion and Mental Health Consequences
Recent research from Norway and New Zealand has reported an association between abortion and subsequent mental health problems. Although the two investigations are not the first to suggest such a relationship, they are well-designed studies suggesting that abortion may be … Continue reading
Does Abortion Impact the Mental Health of Women?
A new study from New Zealand, published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, raises important questions about the impact of abortion on the mental health of women. Researchers found that those reporting abortion prior to age 21 had … Continue reading
Is Psychology Losing Its Way?
A recent book edited by eminent psychologists Rogers Wright and Nicholas Cummings delivers a stunning indictment of the mental health professions. Destructive Trends in Mental Health: The Well-Intentioned Path to Harm documents and critiques the ascent of social activism over … Continue reading
Happy Holyday
This Christmas season is just getting stranger as we go. All over the place people are trying to figure out what to say to each other (“Happy holiday(s),” “Merry Christmas,” “Get out of my way, I want that iPod”) and … Continue reading
Sexually Transmitted Depression – The New STD?
Nearly every discussion about sexual education focuses on preventing sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. However, recent research published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine finds that, especially for girls, the discussion needs to include a third negative possibility: depression. … Continue reading
Becoming Out
Sheryl Swoopes is arguably the finest female basketball player ever. No, check that, actually there is no argument; as a three-time MVP in the Woman’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), and three-time gold medal Olympian, she is the best. So when … Continue reading
Did Jesus Bless Homosexuality?
Many gay religionists insist that Jesus never mentioned homosexuality and thus could not have opposed it. Often conservatives counter that He taught against any form of sexual expression other than heterosexual marriage, so He did not need to specify every … Continue reading
O’Reilly is Right About Gay Teens
Is there a battle over gay teens? If you can believe a recent Time Magazine cover story, a war is on between gay activists and social conservatives over adolescents who are declaring gay and lesbian identities at early ages. The … Continue reading
Silo Rains on the Penguin Pride Parade
One of America’s A-list gay couples has broken up. No, it’s not Rosie and Kelli. It’s Roy and Silo. Roy and Silo are male penguins. Chinstrap penguins to be exact. About six years ago, Roy and Silo set up housekeeping … Continue reading
A Thankful Michael Newdow
Upon learning that a federal judge issued an order against the Elk Grove (CA) United School District to forbid even the voluntary recitation of “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance, lawsuit instigator Michael Newdow said this: “A federal judge … Continue reading
Solomon’s Wisdom Missing in California Decisions
The ancient king of Israel, Solomon, was faced with a dilemma. Two women came before him claiming parentage of an infant son. Each woman was adamant the infant belonged to her. Knowing real maternal instincts, Solomon called for a sword … Continue reading
Are Sexual Preferences Changeable?
“(Wayne) Besen tracks down a dizzying array of former ex-gay leaders who later came out of the closet for good, including the two founders of Exodus.”– From an article by Mark Benjamin on Salon.com, July 18, 2005. The article containing … Continue reading
Polyamorists Want Rights Too
Well I have finally seen it. “Protect Yourself,” the movie, that is. The seven and a half minute condom demonstration video produced by the Montgomery County Public Schools will be shown to all 10th grade students this Spring. I had … Continue reading
Choosing Sides: The PTA Chooses PFLAG
For years, the National Education Association has taken teachers’ dues money and pursued left of center social advocacy objectives. And now, another acronym in the American educational establishment, the National Parent Teacher Association has joined the NEA in choosing sides … Continue reading
Sexual Orientation & Public Schools: A Balanced Approach
(Download the PDF white paper here.) (Download the accompanying PowerPoint presentation here.)
The Return of the Parents
Students are approaching the final days of this educational year but increasingly parents are heading back to school. While many students will soon be thinking of summer jobs, administrators, teachers and parents will not be getting a break. Controversies involving … Continue reading