Customer Reviews

Death by Denial: Studies of Preventing Suicide in Gay and Lesbian Teenagers

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a twenty year old gay man, I have found that the most insidious aspect of my orientation has nothing do do with my sexuality, but rather the way in which I, and those like me, are ostracized from society as a whole. I found that this book realistically describes what it is like to be gay in this society for so many of us. There were two sections in this book that every gay man, lesbian or bisexual individual should read. The first is the "report from the secretary's task force" and the second is the one about the "mayor's commision." The rest of the book is somewhat dry, although still worth reading. However the two sections above were absolutely phenominal. I have found that reading them is an exhausting experience that fills one with powerfull emotions for a number hours afterwards. I highly reccomend that everyone, especially heterosexuals read those sections. Most homosexuals will already know most of what is in there, as they live it daily. However, most heterosexuals have no idea what so many homosexuals go through on a daily basis. I have no doubt that most of them would be shocked by what they learn in these pages. I assure any heterosexuals that the two aforementioned articles are completely accurate.

This is an excellent compilation of various studies about the incidence of suicide by gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered teens. The collection includes the suppressed Bush Administration report that indicates that 30% of teen suicides are by g/l/b/t youth, when even conservative estimates place g/l/b/t teens at 5% of the total population. This disproportionate representation, supported by the other studies included in the work, indicates a terrible suicide epidemic among g/l/b/t teens. Some of the studies also indicate a correlation between homelessness, prostitution and g/l/b/t teens. Overall, an excellent work that brings together obscure studies that might otherwise be hard to find.