(Via Slog.)
How can anyone with a conscience say no to that kid? No wonder the Vermont State Senate passed the marriage equality bill by such a commanding margin.
Update:
Commenter Peggy writes:
Little James Neiley is a total pawn.
I agree with Yasmin Nair's take on this whole debacle.
My response:
Were 17-year-old black kids who took part in activism against Segregation in the 1960's pawns, too?
Have you ever even thought about what your view on this issue would be if you were gay?
I wish I had been half as brave as him when I was 17. I didn't even feel comfortable starting to come out until I was 21.
Peggy:
Save your comparisons to racism. Not even in the same league.
Nieley may be sincere but he's sincerely wrong.
He's going to spend the rest of his life proving himself above and beyond what is necessary - now that's stress!
Me:
Again I ask, have you ever even thought about what your view on this issue would be if you were gay?
Peggy:
What would your view be if therapy had been made available to you as a young man and you were able to re-orient your sexual attraction?
I can't promote anything that presents a danger to one's physical health.
Me:
First, mainstream medical science views such "therapy" as a hoax. There's no good research supporting it. About the only thing that's been determined from such studies is that being in an environment that is hostile to one's sexual orientation substantially increases the risk of teen suicide.
Second, my sexual behavior is no more dangerous than that of most of my heterosexual friends. I have never had sexual intercourse without a condom and am not promiscuous. Plenty of my straight male friends have more sex and are less likely to use protection than I am.
Finally, I'm happy with who I am. Even if given some hypothetical opportunity to become heterosexual, I would decline it.
