A recent article (“Why can't we be part of the normal?” – April 28) related the bittersweet news that Gay-Straight-Alliance club at Cochrane High has felt comfortable to be more open about its activities. I'm sad and angry that we're still asking this question in 2016. Yes. You are part of the normal. And no, you don't need to justify who you are attracted to, or what gender identity you align with to anyone. Not even your own family.
A response letter (“Newspaper promotes the lie” - 5 May) states: “I think God has an edge on smarts over all of us … For God’s sake, the country’s sake and social accountability let’s promote the cure and not the sickness.”
The writer does not elaborate what “cure” they think should be attempted, but there is a long and frightening history of medicalizing sexual and gender expression considered inappropriate. Routine shock treatment and lobotomies, the disgraceful treatment of war hero Alan Turing, the faith-based “conversion” camps of recent history.
Thankfully, medical professionals in Canada no longer recognize LGBTQ identity as an illness and actively oppose any attempts to “cure” it. See the position paper at: http://publications.cpa-apc.org/media.php?mid=1782.
Now, for real problems to tackle, consider this excerpt from the link above: "Risks for LGBT youth can be reduced by family acceptance and connection with other LGBT youth. In fact, LGBT youth who come from highly rejecting families are more than three times as likely to have attempted suicide than LGBT peers who reported no or low levels of family rejection"
LGBTQ youth are at risk. They are often at risk from their own families. Clubs like the Gay-Straight-Alliance at Cochrane High, and the enhanced security of personal information rules are protecting them.
Adriaan Brae
