"All people are not heterosexual. Heterosexuality is not superior and is not the norm by which all other sexual orientation and gender identities are measured." --Burnaby, B.C. Schools Draft Policy #5.45

Monday, March 21, 2016

The Evidence

On what basis do people ignore the evidence that shows that transgender people have brain structures usually associated with the opposite sex? Weighing the evidence and disagreeing with it are different from not considering it at all. 

Studies can be overturned. Theories can be supplanted. The evidence may later turn out not to be true or not true in the way we originally thought. But as of March 2016, the evidence weighs in favor of transgender people being real.

If you refuse even to consider it, then on what basis do you ask others to consider evidence in your favor should judgment be directed at you? 

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Pot Use Linked to Worse Verbal Memory in Middle Age

The Globe and Mail reports that a long-term study has linked use of marijuana to poor verbal memory in middle age. This is relevant to sexual minorities because we are vulnerable to engaging in substance abuse. This is the case for two reasons:

(1) Some might turn to it as a response to discrimination. Promoting substance abuse as a response to emotional stress has a long history in our culture, unfortunately. 

(2) The political left includes both advocates for the rights of sexual minorities and advocates for acceptance and/or legalization of drug use. This might cause gay or transgender people mistakenly to associate substance abuse with acceptance and love. 

Both of these are minor catastrophes. Damaging your body or brain because someone rejects you is a terrible idea. Damaging your body or brain because someone accepts you is a different terrible idea.