DOMA/Prop 8 decisions

[davsel]

Utter and complete bullshit in every possible way. You are a truly ignorant fool if you believe that. I dare you to find a peer-reviewed journal article that can back up that claim.

Dare Accepted:

From:http://www.apa.org/monitor/feb02/newdata.aspx

Population-based studies
Several large population-based public health studies are discussed in the November American Psychologist (Vol. 56, No. 11) by Susan Cochran, PhD, an epidemiologist in the University of California, Los Angeles School of Public Health, who authored or co-authored many of the studies. Specifically, the studies find:

• Higher rates of major depression, generalized anxiety disorder and substance use or dependence in lesbian and gay youth.
  
• Higher rates of recurrent major depression among gay men.
  
• Higher rates of anxiety, mood and substance use disorders, and suicidal thoughts among people ages 15 to 54 with same-sex partners.
  
• Higher use of mental health services in men and women reporting same-sex partners.

Gleaning this type of information on LGB people has never been possible in general surveys before, Cochran notes. However, because the surveys on which these studies are based examine HIV-risk factors, including psychiatric problems and sexual behavior, they include questions on sexual orientation and sexual partners, she says.
"It's a breakthrough because it has traditionally been difficult to gather large samples of gays, lesbians and bisexuals due to their small numbers in the population," Cochran explains.
The data contradict previous findings that there are no significant differences in the mental health of heterosexuals and LGB people, adds Cochran, who notes she is concerned that these findings may give ammunition to people who want to falsely promulgate the argument that gay people are by nature mentally ill.
For one thing, she says, "these are certainly not levels of morbidity consistent with models that say homosexuality is inherently pathological." For another, the data simply don't prove either pro- or anti-gay arguments on the subject, whether it's that the inherent biology of homosexuality causes mental illness or that social stigma provokes mental illness in LGB people, she says.
Cochran believes the studies demonstrate the need for better psychological treatment for LGB people--an observation consistent with the U.S. Surgeon General's recommendations in his report on sexuality and health, she observes.

[Ronin13]

Dare Accepted:

From:http://www.apa.org/monitor/feb02/newdata.aspx

Population-based studies
Several large population-based public health studies are discussed in the November American Psychologist (Vol. 56, No. 11) by Susan Cochran, PhD, an epidemiologist in the University of California, Los Angeles School of Public Health, who authored or co-authored many of the studies. Specifically, the studies find:

• Higher rates of major depression, generalized anxiety disorder and substance use or dependence in lesbian and gay youth.
  
• Higher rates of recurrent major depression among gay men.
  
• Higher rates of anxiety, mood and substance use disorders, and suicidal thoughts among people ages 15 to 54 with same-sex partners.
  
• Higher use of mental health services in men and women reporting same-sex partners.

Gleaning this type of information on LGB people has never been possible in general surveys before, Cochran notes. However, because the surveys on which these studies are based examine HIV-risk factors, including psychiatric problems and sexual behavior, they include questions on sexual orientation and sexual partners, she says.
"It's a breakthrough because it has traditionally been difficult to gather large samples of gays, lesbians and bisexuals due to their small numbers in the population," Cochran explains.
The data contradict previous findings that there are no significant differences in the mental health of heterosexuals and LGB people, adds Cochran, who notes she is concerned that these findings may give ammunition to people who want to falsely promulgate the argument that gay people are by nature mentally ill.
For one thing, she says, "these are certainly not levels of morbidity consistent with models that say homosexuality is inherently pathological." For another, the data simply don't prove either pro- or anti-gay arguments on the subject, whether it's that the inherent biology of homosexuality causes mental illness or that social stigma provokes mental illness in LGB people, she says.
Cochran believes the studies demonstrate the need for better psychological treatment for LGB people--an observation consistent with the U.S. Surgeon General's recommendations in his report on sexuality and health, she observes.

I can concur with the legitimacy of this- my dad's golf buddy is a psychologist who deals with a lot of LGBT folks, especially TS/TG/TV and he says they are much more likely to be depressed, suicidal, and have issues integrating into society post-op/post change. 20+ years experience counseling and he says that mental illness is a greater issue affecting LGBT than straight people... and it's kind of sad, mostly due to the unwillingness of society to accept them normally.

[asmo]

Dare Accepted:

From:http://www.apa.org/monitor/feb02/newdata.aspx

Population-based studies
Several large population-based public health studies are discussed in the November American Psychologist (Vol. 56, No. 11) by Susan Cochran, PhD, an epidemiologist in the University of California, Los Angeles School of Public Health, who authored or co-authored many of the studies. Specifically, the studies find:

• Higher rates of major depression, generalized anxiety disorder and substance use or dependence in lesbian and gay youth.
  
• Higher rates of recurrent major depression among gay men.
  
• Higher rates of anxiety, mood and substance use disorders, and suicidal thoughts among people ages 15 to 54 with same-sex partners.
  
• Higher use of mental health services in men and women reporting same-sex partners.

Gleaning this type of information on LGB people has never been possible in general surveys before, Cochran notes. However, because the surveys on which these studies are based examine HIV-risk factors, including psychiatric problems and sexual behavior, they include questions on sexual orientation and sexual partners, she says.
"It's a breakthrough because it has traditionally been difficult to gather large samples of gays, lesbians and bisexuals due to their small numbers in the population," Cochran explains.
The data contradict previous findings that there are no significant differences in the mental health of heterosexuals and LGB people, adds Cochran, who notes she is concerned that these findings may give ammunition to people who want to falsely promulgate the argument that gay people are by nature mentally ill.
For one thing, she says, "these are certainly not levels of morbidity consistent with models that say homosexuality is inherently pathological." For another, the data simply don't prove either pro- or anti-gay arguments on the subject, whether it's that the inherent biology of homosexuality causes mental illness or that social stigma provokes mental illness in LGB people, she says.
Cochran believes the studies demonstrate the need for better psychological treatment for LGB people--an observation consistent with the U.S. Surgeon General's recommendations in his report on sexuality and health, she observes.

You actually need to read many of her articles -- including the rest of the one you cited:

Susan Cochran [PhD] and psychologist Vickie M. Mays, PhD, of the University of California, Los Angeles, explored whether ongoing discrimination fuels anxiety, depression and other stress-related mental health problems among LGB people. The authors found strong evidence of a relationship between the two

Like I intimated.. The more people accept it - and the more they are out - the less of a problem.