Getting it straight: six misconceptions about same-sex relations.

The following summary is faithful to the book, Getting it Straight--What the Research Shows about Homosexuality; Peter Sprigg and Timothy Daily, Co-editors, Family--Research Council, Wash. D.C.. It is available from the Family Research Council, 801G Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20001. Tel: [phone] or 1-800-225-4008 orderline. Web: www.frc.org Copies of the book available for a donation of five dollars (US) per copy. The text used in this summary is reprinted with permission. This summary is by Catholic Insight staff.--Editor

Religion and morality are often assumed to be the only reasons anyone could have for disapproving of homosexual behaviour. Facts, science, and scholarship are often assumed to be firmly on the side of those who treat homosexuality as simply a normal and healthy variant of human sexuality.

These assumptions are false. Most religions--Judaism, Christianity, and Islam--stand firmly against homosexual practices, and for good reasons. But even apart from divine revelation in the case of Christianity, the fundamental nature of humanity as male and female (natural law) argues against accepting homosexual acts as either normal or moral.

Many of the political gains homosexuals have made--affirmation, celebration and subsidization of relationships--have come at the expense of the truth. That is, much of what "everyone knows" about homosexuality is false. In many cases, those misconceptions have been deliberately promoted by prohomosexual activists in order to advance their social and political agenda.

SIX KEY MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY:

First--"People are born gay."

If this were true, it would advance the idea that sexual orientation is an innate characteristic like race; that homosexuals, like African Americans, should be legally protected against "discrimination;" and that disapproval of homosexuality should be socially stigmatized as racism. However, it is not true. The research shows no convincing evidence that anyone is "born gay" and suggests instead that homosexuality results from a complex mix of psychological, environmental influences, and early childhood experiences.

Alfred Kinsey, the [in]famous sex researcher, is often used by those seeking the moral approval of homosexuality. There is one point, however, on which he is seldom quoted and that is his rejection of a biological or hereditary origin for homosexuality. As his colleague and biographer, Wardell Pomeroy, put it: "Kinsey was convinced that there was absolutely no evidence of inheritance." (See: Pomeroy, p.1, bottom)

Is there a 'gay gene?'

Linkage studies have successfully located genes that cause Huntington's disease, cystic fibrosis, and muscular dystrophy. However, to date linkage studies have not found genes that code for complex behaviours. For the few researchers that claim a genetic or biological origin for homosexuality, a significant majority of researchers disagree and point to methodological deficiencies in that research.

The media distort the lack of scientific evidence that a gene causes homosexuality and misleadingly convey to the public that there exists a 'gay gene.' (See: Hamer, pp. 10, 11, 12; Baron, p. 12, 13; Rice pp. 12, 13; Bem, pp. 14, 15, 16; Byne, pp. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18.)

A very widespread theory of a cause of male homosexuality focuses on the need of boys to "disidentify" from their mother. The male child, in order to attain a healthy sense of maleness, must replace the primary object of his identification, the mother, and must identify with the father.

It is the difficulties inherent in making this break from the mother which are responsible for a boy's gender identity; that is, his confident sense of belonging to the male sex.

The male child's ability to dis-identify from the mother will determine the success or failure of his later identification with his father. It is a warm identification with an attentive father that will ensure a confident grasp of his male gender. (See: Bayer, p. 19; Gundlach, p.19; Byne, p. 20; Greenson, p. 20; Seigelman, p. 20; Brown, p. 21; Bieber, p. 21; O'Connor, p. 21; Braaten, p.22; Brown, p. 22; Hooker, p.22, Evans, p. 23, 24; Gundlach, p. 24; Hooker, p. 24, 25; Snortum' p. 25; Seigelman, p. 26; Brown, p. 27.)

Second--10 % of the population is gay.

If this were true, it would support the notion that "gay people are everywhere," a significant part of every social institution in the country, and thus commonplace, normal, and nothing to fear. However, it is not true. The research clearly shows that a very small percentage of the population (less than three percent) identify themselves as homosexuals.

The ten percent figure would make the number of homosexuals comparable to the numbers in prominent ethnic minority groups such as African Americans (12.3%) or Hispanics (13%) in the United States. (See: Barron, p. 35.)

A homosexual activist, Bruce Voeller, states: "... after years of educating those who inform the public and make its laws, the concept that 10 percent of the population is gay has become a generally accepted 'fact.' While some reminding always seems necessary, the 10 percent figure is regularly utilized by scholars, by the press, and in government statistics. As with so many other pieces of knowledge (and myth), repeated telling made it so ..." (See: Voeller, p. 36; Laumann, p. 36; Rogers, p. 37.)

Kinsey is said to have originated the 10 percent figure. But his methodology is widely challenged as unscientific and unreliable. He recruited people who were more sexually active, recruited volunteers from prisons and reform schools, those associated with known gay groups, asked homosexuals who were part of a social network in large cities to bring friends and acquaintances to be part of the study.

His sampling was skewed to over-sample the homosexually inclined. Hence Kinsey's 10 percent figure is much higher than those found in all recent surveys. Seven or eight reliable studies put the figure at less than 3 percent of the population. (See: Laumann, p. 36; Diamond, p. 37, Michael, p. 37; Laumann, p 38; Fay, p. 38; Pruitt, p. 38; Schneider, p. 38, 39; Rogers, p. 39; Gagnon, p. 39; Diamond p. 39; Laumann p. 40.)

The size of the gay population is important. More gay people means more political clout. The encouraging message is 'You are not alone.' Clearly one is less alone if 10 percent of the population is gay than if 1 to 3 percent is gay. The larger the number, gays can argue that homosexuals are a force to be reckoned with, that any politician who avoids or alienates gay voters does so at his or her peril. And so the distortion that one in ten is gay or lesbian is pushed very actively. (See: Pruitt. p. 40; Michael, p. 41.)

In spite of the overwhelming evidence to the contrary, the efforts to convince the general public that the homosexual population is large have been very effective:

* Only 14% of the public correctly identified the size of the homosexual population as 3% or less.

* 38% believe that it's actually more than 10% of the population.

* 8% believe that homosexuals are actually more than 40% of the population. (See: Kaiser, p. 53.)

Third--Homosexuals are seriously disadvantaged by discrimination.

If this were true, it would support the notion that homosexuals need special protection under the law. However, by two of the most common measures of social disadvantage--education and income--it is not true. The research shows that homosexuals actually have significantly higher levels of educational attainment than the general public, while the findings on homosexual income are, at worst, mixed.

Studies indicate that homosexuals as a group actually have higher levels of education than heterosexuals. And men and women in same-sex couples have more education that people in different--sex couples. (See: Michael, p. 56; Laumann, p. 56; Billy, p. 56; Wilke, p. 57; Schwartz, p. 57; Klawitter, p. 57; Barrett, p. 57.)

Income levels among homosexuals

If a minority group has experienced pervasive discrimination and persecution (as homosexuals claim to have done), members of that group might be expected to have lower average incomes than the rest of the population. For example: The U.S. Census statistics show that 23.6% of Afro-Americans live in poverty compared to only 9.8% of white Americans. (See Bureau of Census, p. 58.)

Surveys usually show incomes of lesbian and/or gay respondents that are higher than the national averages.

Evidence may be somewhat mixed regarding individual incomes of homosexuals compared with heterosexuals. But some marketing surveys show that combined gay and lesbian incomes are higher than those of married households. Same-sex households have more disposable time because they are free from the time commitments of child rearing.

The absence of children means no feeding, clothing or children's health care costs, and so gays and lesbians have time for leisure pursuits and the money to spend on them--entertainment, travel, movies, premium TV channels, airlines, cruise companies, resorts, and so on.

Today's "supermom"--or dad, on the other hand, devote much of their non-working time to child care. (See: Buford, p. 68.)

Fourth--"Homosexuality is harmless."

If this were true, it would support the notion that government has no reason to penalize or otherwise disadvantage people who engage in homosexual behaviour. However, it is not true. The research clearly shows that homosexual behaviour specifically, and a homosexual lifestyle generally, are associated with serious threats to the physical and mental health of those who engage in them and, by extension, to public health.

Portraying homosexuality as harmless is a key goal of homosexual activists, as homosexual author Urvashi Vaid has admitted: "We have an agenda to create a society in which homosexuality is regarded as healthy, natural, and normal. To me that is the most important agenda item." (See: Quoted in Gabriel, p.69.)

The reality, however, is quite the opposite, as was recently conceded by the homosexual newspaper New York Blade News:

"Reports ... indicate that gay men are in the highest risk group for several of the most serious diseases ... Scientists believe that the increased number sexually transmitted diseases (STD) cases is the result of an increase in risky sexual practices by a growing number of gay men who believe HIV is no longer a life-threatening illness." (See: Roundy, p. 69.)

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) study found the rate of HIV infections among men who have sex with men (MSM) to be 9 times higher than among women and heterosexual men. (See: New CDC Studies, p. 70.)

In the United States, 63% of the cumulative total of male AIDS cases is among men who have sex with men. (See: New CDC Studies, p. 70)

High rates of HIV infection among homosexual men are largely due to two behavioural factors:

1) Anal intercourse--which facilitates the transfer of the virus far more easily than vaginal intercourse, and

2) The practice of having sexual relations with multiple sex partners, which multiplies the opportunities for both acquiring and transmitting HIV. (See: Katz, p.72.)

There is a resurgence of gonorrhea and syphilis among men having sex with men. (See: Abstract 321--p. 73.)

Even homosexual relationships--loosely called monogamous or exclusive or steady--do not necessarily result in healthier behaviour. An English study found that most "unsafe" sex acts among homosexuals occur in steady relationships. (See: Hart, p.75.)

Sexually transmitted diseases are rampant in the homosexual community through men who have sex with men. (See: Abstract 418, p.75.)

These diseases include:

* Human Papillomavirus (HPV). It can lead to cancer. It is almost universal among HIV-positive men, and up to 60% of HIV-negative men. (See: Roundy, p.76.)

* Men who have sex with men are at an increased risk of being infected with Hepatitis A, B, & C. (See: Health Professionals, p. 77; Viral Hepatitis B, p. 77; Hepatitis C, p.77.)

* Gonorrhea is increasing among gay and bisexual men appearing recently in the rectal region and throats of homosexual men. (See: Increase in Unsafe ..., p. 78; Vincette, p. 78; Jebakumar, p. 78.)

* Syphilis is transmitted during vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Homosexuals acquire syphilis at a rate 10 times that of heterosexuals. (See: Hutchinson, p.79; Syphilis Elimination ... p.79; Abstract 272, p.80; Landers, p.80.)

* Gay Bowel Syndrome includes proctitis, protocolitis, and enteritis. They are sexually transmitted gastrointestinal syndromes caused by anal and oral intercourse. (See: Morin, p. 81; Health Implications, p. 81)

* "... the rising rates of anal cancer (are) the next great threat to homosexual men." (See: Zmuda, p. 83.)

Lesbians are at risk through sex with men who have sex with men, and many lesbians have sex with men. (See Smith, HPV, p.84.) Young bisexual men are a "bridge" for HIV transmission to women. Women who have sex with women are at significantly higher risk for STDs, such as BV (bacterial vaginosis), hepatitis C, and HIV. (see: Fethers, pp. 84,85, 86.)

A study in mortality concluded that "life expectancy at age twenty for gay and bisexual men is eight to twenty years less than for all men. If the same pattern of mortality were to continue, we estimate that nearly half of gay and bisexual men currently aged twenty years will not reach their sixty-fifth birthday." (See: Hogg, p. 89.)

Fifth--"Children raised by homosexuals suffer no harm."

If this were true, it would support the notion that even the most distinctively heterosexual institutions in our society--the family and marriage--should be open to homosexuals on an equal basis. However, it is not true. The research shows clearly that children do best when raised by a married mother and father and that the homosexual lifestyle is unstable. Research specifically on homosexual parents has been fraught with methodological problems, (See: p.95, 1st parag.), but such research as there is nevertheless does show differences in the children of homosexuals that should raise concern.

There is an abundance of evidence to demonstrate the dangerous consequences of homosexual behaviour and the unstable nature of homosexual relationships. The children suffer, particularly in the area of sexual adjustment.

The claim that children of homosexuals are "no different" (See: Silverstein, p. 96; Patterson, p. 96.):

Patterson's conclusion, above, is not as confident as it appears. In the same study, she admits: "... research on lesbian and gay parents and their children is still very new and relatively scarce.... Longitudinal studies that follow lesbian and gay families over time are badly needed."

In their thorough review of homosexual parenting studies (see pp. 96 to 102 for a list and commentary on these flawed studies.) Lerner and Nagai found insufficient evidence to support the conclusion that homosexual households are "just like" traditional families: ... "the methods used in these studies are so flawed that these studies prove nothing. Therefore, they should not be used in legal cases to make any argument about 'homosexual vs. heterosexual' parenting. Their claims have no basis." (See Lerner, p. 102.)

The suitability of the homosexual lifestyle for the rearing of children

Homosexual relationships are characteristically unstable and are fundamentally incapable of providing children the security they need.

1) The issue of homosexual promiscuity: Studies that the average male homosexual has hundreds of sex partners in his lifetime. 43% of white male homosexuals had sex with 500 or more partners, with 28% having 1,000 or more partners. (See: Bell, p. 103; Van de Ven; Sex Survey Results; Pollak, p. 104.)

2) Promiscuity among homosexual couples: Even in those homosexual relationships in which the partners consider themselves to be in a committed relationship, the meaning of "committed" typically means something radically different than in a heterosexual marriage. In one study all male couples with a relationship lasting more than five years have incorporated some provision for outside sexual activity in their relationship. (See: McWhirter, p.104.)

Most understood sexual relations outside the relationship to be the norm, and viewed adopting monogamous standards as an act of oppression. (See: Saghir; Van de Ven; Xiridou p. 104.)

3) Differences between homosexual 'couples' and heterosexual spouses: In a national survey of 884 men and 1,288 women, 77% of married men and 88% of married women had remained faithful to their spouses. (See: Wiederman; Laumann; Clements, p. 105.)

The rate of married fidelity remains far from ideal, but there is a magnum order of difference between the 77 to 88% married fidelity rate and the negligible fidelity rate cited for homosexual couples.

4) Intimate partner violence within homosexual and lesbian relationships: Gay and lesbian relationships are far more violent than traditional married households.

A survey of 1,099 lesbians showed 50% reported being abused by a female lover/partner--verbal/emotional/psychological and combined physical psychological abuse.

The incidence of domestic violence among gay men is nearly double that in the heterosexual population. (See: Lockhart, Lie, Island, & Greenwood, p. 106.)

A little-reported fact is that homosexual and lesbian relationships are far more violent than are traditional married households. Married women in traditional families experience the lowest rate of violence compared with women in other types of relationships. (See: Violence Between Intimates, p. 107; Health Implications With Homosexualit, p. 107.)

5) Reduced life expectancy of male homosexuals: Significantly reduced male life expectancy contributes to the instability of homosexual households and can be a major disruption for children raised in such a household. Life expectancy at age 24 for gay and bisexual men is 8 to 20 years less than for all men. (See: Hogg, p. 107.)

In 1990 Wayne Tardiff and his partner Allan Yoder were the first homosexuals permitted to become adoptive parents in the state of New Jersey. Tardiff died in 1992 at age 44. Yoder died a few months later, leaving an orphaned five-year old. (See: Obituaries, p. 108.)

6) Substance abuse among lesbians: Lesbians are 3 times more likely to abuse alcohol and to suffer from other compulsive behaviours; 91% of study participants had abused drugs as well as alcohol; 34% had compulsive difficulties with food. (See: Hall, p. 107.)

Consequences for children:

An Australian study compared a sample of 174 primary children living in 3 different types of families: 58 children of heterosexual cohabiting couples, 58 children of heterosexual married couples, 58 children of homosexual couples (47 lesbian & 11 gay) couples, all of which included at least one of their biological parents.

These children were matched according to age, gender, year of study, and parental characteristics (education, occupation, and employment status). All the children were being raised by couples, not by single parents.

Results: The children of married couples did the best, and the children of homosexual couples did the worst, in 9 out of 13 categories: language, maths, sport, sociability, attitude to school and learning, parent-school relationship, sex identity, i.e. gender roles, school-related support, e.g. parents help with homework, parental aspirations for their children's education and careers.

The children of homosexual parents scored higher in only three areas: social studies, personal autonomy of the child, household tasks, i.e. the contribution children make to them.

Conclusion: children of married couples are more likely to do well at school in academic and social terms than children of cohabiting heterosexual or homosexual couples. (See: Sarantakos, p. 108)

There is growing evidence that children raised in lesbian and homosexual households are more likely to engage in sexual experimentation and in homosexual behaviour. One study shows that 12% of the children of lesbians became active lesbians themselves, a rate which is at least 4 times the base rate of lesbians in the general adult female population. (See: Tasker. p 110.)

Another study shows that 9% of the adult sons of homosexual fathers were homosexual in their adult sexual behaviour. This rate is several times higher than the base rate of homosexuals (less than 3%) in the general adult male population. (see: Bailey, p. 111; Tasker, p. 111; Green, p. 111; Stacey, p. 111.)

Incest in homosexual parent families: In a study of the adult children of homosexual parents, 29% had been subjected to sexual molestation by the homosexual parent--but only 0.6% of the adult children of heterosexual parents had sexual relations with their parent. "Having a homesexual parent(s) appears to increase the risk of incest with a parent by a factor of about 50." (See: Cameron, p.l12).

A political agenda: redefining marriage & family

Homosexual activists are working not only for homosexuals and lesbians to partake of conventional married life. By their own admission, they aim to change the essential character of marriage, removing precisely the aspects of fidelity and chastity that promote stability in the relationship and in the home.

* "Being queer is more than setting up house, sleeping with a person of the same gender, and seeking state approval for doing so.... Being queer means pushing the parameters (limits) of sex, sexuality, and family, and in the process transforming the very fabric of society," Paula Ettelbrick. (See Ettelbrick, p. 116.)

* Homosexual writer and activist, Michelangelo Signorile redefines "monogamy": it is a relationship in which the partners have sex on the outside often, put away their resentment and jealousy, and discuss their outside sex with each other, or share sex partners. (See: Signorile, p. 117.)

* The views of Ettlebrick and Signorile are widespread in the homosexual community: a mere 26% of homosexuals believe that commitment is important in a marriage relationship (see: Mendola, p. 117).

* Former homosexual Wm. Aaron explains why even homosexuals involved in "committed" relationships do not practise monogamy: In the gay life, fidelity is almost impossible. Since part of the compulsion of homosexuality seems to be a need on the part of the homophile to "absorb" masculinity from his sexual partners, he must be constantly on the lookout for (new partners). Consequently the most successful homophile "marriages" are those where there is an arrangement between the two to have affairs on the side, while maintaining the semblance of permanence in their living arrangement. (see: Aaran, p. 117.)

* Supporters of homosexual "families" raise questions about their suitability for children: "Even individuals who believe that same-sex relationships are a legitimate choice for adults may feel that children will suffer from being raised by such families." (See: Koepke, p. 117.)

* The homosexual father is described as "socioculturally unique," trying to take on "two apparently opposed roles: that of father (with all its usual connotations) and that of a homosexual man. ... the homosexual man is " both structurally and psychologically at social odds with his interest in keeping one foot in both worlds: parenting and homosexuality. (See: Bigner, pp. 117-18.)

Children really need a mom and a dad:

Research verifies that children from married two-parent households do better academically, financially, emotionally, and behaviourally. They also experience much lower rates of many social pathologies (manifestations of disease), including premarital childbearing, illicit drugs, arrest, health, emotional and behavioural problems, poverty, school failure or expulsion. (See: p. 118 for the studies dealing with these social pathologies). These benefits are then passed on to future generations as well, because children raised by married parents are themselves less likely to cohabit or to divorce as adults. (See: Amato, p. 119.)

These benefits do not arise simply from having two adult caretakers. Children have a specific need for both a mother and a father. (See: Blankenhorn; Popenoe; Sorokin, pp. 119-20.)

Sixth--Homosexuals are no more likely to molest children than heterosexuals are.

If this were true, it would support the notion that homosexuals should be allowed to work with children as school teachers, Boy Scout leaders, and Big Sisters. However, it is not true. The research clearly shows that same-sex child sexual abuse (mostly by men molesting boys) occurs at rates far higher than adult homosexual behaviour, and it strongly suggests that many of those abusers are homosexual in their adult orientation as well.

Many adults have concerns about the impact of homosexuality on children. There is concern that homosexuals do not provide an acceptable role model to children as teachers, mentors, and especially as parents.

Most alarming is the fear that homosexuals are more likely to engage in child sexual abuse. This fear was highlighted by the scandal that many children have been molested by Catholic priests, and that a surprising number of priests may be homosexual in orientation.

Homosexual activists try hard to distance the gay lifestyle from pedophilia, but there remains a disturbing connection between the two. This is because, by definition, male homosexuals are sexually attracted to other males. The evidence indicates that disproportionate numbers of gay men seek adolescent males or boys as sexual partners.

* Pedophiles are invariably males. Almost all sex crimes against children are committed by men.

* Homosexuals are overrepresented in child sex offenses. Individuals from the 1 to 3% of the population that is sexually attracted to the same sex are committing up to 1/3 of the sex crimes against children.

* Some homosexual activists defend the historic connection between homosexuality and pedophilia. Such activists consider the defense of "boy-lovers" to be a legitimate gay-rights issue.

* Pedophilia themes abound in homosexual literary culture. Gay fiction as well as serious academic treatises promote "intergenerational intimacy."

Homosexual men commit a disproportionate number of child sex abuse cases.

The evidence indicates that homosexual men molest boys at rates grossly disproportionate to the rates at which heterosexual men molest girls. To demonstrate this it is necessary to connect several statistics related to the problem of child abuse:

* Men are almost always the perpetrators.

* Up to 1/3 or more of child sex abuse cases are committed against boys.

* Less than 3% of the population are homosexuals. Thus, a tiny percentage of the population (homosexual men), commit 1/3 or more of the cases of child molestation. (See: Briere, p.123; Fisher, p.123; MacFarlane, p. 123; Watkins, p. 124; Freund, p. 123.)

Homosexual pedophiles are vastly overrepresented in child sex abuse cases:

Although heterosexuals outnumber homosexuals by a ration of 20 to 1, homosexual pedophiles commit about 1/3 of the total number of child sex offenses. (See: Blanchard , p. 127; Freund, p. 127.)

Pro-homosexual activists agree that pedophiles who engage in homosexual child abuse are not actually "homosexual" in their sexual attractions to adults--i.e., they claim that "homosexuality" and "pedophilia" are each distinct "sexual orientations," with no overlap between the two.

However, this sharp distinction is not found in the scholarly literature. The term "homosexual pedophile" was first used by Dr. R. von Krafft in the early 20th century. He described pedophile as heterosexually, homosexually or bisexually oriented. (See: Bradford, p. 129.)

"... a homosexual and a heterosexual subgroup can be delineated among these (pedophile) offenders ... Categorizing them in this way revealed important differences in the pattern of their sexual preferences. (See: Marshall, p. 129.)

Homosexuals and homosexual pedophiles engage in a wide variety of sexual behaviour. Pedophiles exhibit a wide variety of sexual attractions and behaviour. (See: Danni, p. 131)

The data indicate that homosexuality and pedophilia are intersecting categories that admit to a wide variety of sexual behaviour. For example, homosexual males are sexually attracted to underage boys. In a study of 48 homosexual men "all but 9 of the 48 preferred the youngest two male age categories," which included males as young as age fifteen. (See: Zebulon, p. 131; Jay, p. 131)

Homosexual pedophiles are often attracted to adult males. A study of 229 convicted child molesters found that "86% of offenders against males described themselves as homosexual or bisexual. (See: Erickson, p. 132; Harvet, 132.)

Homosexual pedophiles cannot be narrowly defined as individuals who are solely attracted to underage boys. In fact there is considerable overlap between homosexuality and pedophilia.

IGLA and NAMBLA:

An Unseemly Connection: In 1985, the notorious pro-pedophile organization NAMBLA (North American Man/Boy Love Association) was admitted as a member to New York's Council of Lesbian and Gay Organizations as well as to the International Gay and Lesbian Association (IGLA).

In the mid-1990s, IGLA's association with NAMBLA and other pedophile groups cost the organization its status as a Non-Governmental Organization in the UN. IGLA's attempt to regain admittance to the UN was rejected again in 2002 because it "did not document that it had purged pedophile groups such as NAMBLA. (See: Archibald, p. 136)

Pedophile themes abound in gay literature:

The late "beat" poet Allen Ginsberg illustrates the seamless connection between homosexuality and pedophilia. Many know Ginsberg as an illustrious "out" homosexual poet. Fewer are aware that he was also a pedophile. (See: Frontain, p.136; Eberstadt, p.137.)

Pro-pedophilia publications: There are no publications that lend a scholarly veneer to the fascination with pedophilia in the gay community. Such publications attempt to make the case for "intergenerational intimacy"--also called "adult-youth sex." (See: List of publications, p. 139.)

Consequences of homosexual child abuse:

Perhaps the most tragic aspect of the homosexual-pedophile connection is the fact that men who sexually molest boys all too often lead their victims into homosexuality and pedophilia.

A study found that 46% of homosexual men and 22% of homosexual women reported having been molested by a person of the same gender. This contrasts to only 7% of heterosexual men and 1% of heterosexual women reporting having been molested by a person of the same gender. (See: Tomeo, p. 140; Haverkos, p. 141; Watkins, p. 141; Johnson, p. 141.)

Victims of sexual abuse are more likely to become pedophiles. 40% of a pedophile sample reported that they had engaged 'very often' in sexual activity prior to age 14 with an adult, with 28% stating that this activity had occurred sometimes. (See: Swale, p. 141.)

The odds that a childhood sexual abuse victim will be arrested as an adult for any sex crime is 4.7 times higher than for people ... who experienced no victimization as children. (see: Widom p. 142.)

A study found that 59% of male child sex offenders had been victims of "contact sexual abuse as a child. (See: Elliott, p. 142.)

Same-sex "marriage" (SSM) bill in Parliament

* Bill C-38 was introduced into the House of Commons on February 1, 2005. This was First Reading.

* It was introduced for Second Reading on February 15. Debate began on February 17, and still continues (as of March 10).

* At the end of the debate, there will be a key vote to approve the Bill in principle.

* If the Bill survives this vote, it will be sent to a Special Committee. It is this Committee which ought to hold hearings.

The Committee was appointed on March 1. It will review requests to appear as witnesses in early April. It is in favour of SSM: two homosexual MPs (Menard and Siksay), six hardline pro-SSM Liberals (Proulx), chairman, Boivin, Boudria, Macklin, Neville, Savage). That leaves four Conservatives (Ambrose, Gordon Brown, Rob Moore, Toews) on the other side.

Write the Committee's Clerk to submit briefs or appear as witness: Mr. Jean-Francois Page, House of Commons Room 603, Ottawa, ON K1A OA6. Tel: [phone]; Fax: [phone]; E-mail: [e-mail].