Monday, June 23, 2008

Deriving Bad Conclusions From Good Science

Alberta's Stephen Boissoin has linked to this Lifesite article from his blog.

The article references a paper from 1997 published in the International Journal of Epidemiology. The study itself is actually an interesting piece of work, as it estimates the impact of HIV/AIDS on gay male life expectancy. The data from the article ranges from 1987 to 1992 - near what many would consider the peak of the AIDS epidemic.

The study is an interesting exercise in statistical projection and modelling techniques.

Of course, from this, the Lifesite article then goes on to derive that it is perfectly valid to suppress GLBT people in society:

This morose reality makes a strong case for a fitting redefinition of so-called "homophobia," that being "Homophobia: The rational fear that 'gay sex' will kill you!"

The fact that we don't have mandatory surgeon general warnings on the side of condom wrappers is a testament to the power and influence wielded by the radical homosexual lobby. (Warning: Male-male anal sodomy has been proven to shorten your lifespan by up to 20 years.)


Hmmm...well, given that condoms are in fact intended to provide some degree of protection from HIV and other STIs for both men and women such a warning seems to be rather missing the point, doesn't it?

Of course, that's all just worthless fluff. All the political spin in the world doesn't change reality, nor does it eliminate the study's disturbing conclusions or practical implications. The research left ZERO wiggle room for anyone who would argue that homosexuality is a "perfectly normal and healthy alternative sexual orientation."


No, actually that research didn't conclude any such thing. It presented the impact of HIV infection on life expectancy for Gay Males. The study did not address safer sex practices, nor did it attempt to make any assessment as to whether being gay was a normal part of the human experience.

In fact, a careful read of the study shows that it was designed to address the problems that underreporting of HIV (and related risk activities) present for those attempting to understand the public health implications for HIV. (Strangely, that underreporting correlates directly to the kind of social suppression that GLBT folk have experienced historically)

In light of the irrefutable medical facts, it should be considered criminally reckless for educators to teach children that homosexual conduct is a normal, safe and perfectly acceptable alternative form of sexual expression (or "sexual orientation").

But instead, the "gay" lifestyle is vigorously promoted in our public schools. Sexually confused children who suffer from gender identity disorder and same-sex attractions are told to "embrace who they are," and are encouraged to entertain deviant and dangerous sexual temptations. "But always use a condom!" liberal educators bellow. (Forget that condoms have a perilously high failure rate and are incapable of preventing numerous STDs such as the HPV virus.)


If there is one thing to be learned from the HIV/AIDS epidemic, it is not the disease that is the problem - it is ignorance that is the problem. Being gay should not be something that has to be hidden. Having to hide means that youth will make foolish choices out of ignorance.

Oh yes, the canard about how condoms can fail utterly misses the point. Condoms are surprisingly effective at stopping a host of different infections - whining because HPV isn't one of them is silly - especially when these same idiots are the ones who figure that an HPV vaccine shouldn't be made available because they're afraid it will promote promiscuity.

But then, logic doesn't stop a fundie in the midst of a rant, does it?

The "Day of Silence" (DOS) is organized by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), one of the most militant and well-funded of the powerful homosexual pressure groups. DOS purports to confront the alleged systematic harassment and bullying of children who self-identify as homosexual, bisexual or "transgender." ...

To be sure, bullying and harassment should not be tolerated against anyone, anywhere for any reason, and those who engage in such activities should be firmly disciplined. However, DOS has very little to do with "bullying" and has everything to do with propaganda.

During DOS, children and teachers are encouraged to disrupt the school day by refusing to speak, in a show of support to self-described "gay," "lesbian," "bisexual" and "transgender" students. ...


If this was any more asinine, it would be mind-boggling in the stupidity of its conclusions. Essentially, the author, "Concerned Woman" Matt Barber, has concluded that the kinds of systemic discrimination that GLBT people face on a daily basis is valid because of a study which examined the impact of HIV/AIDS on male homosexual life expectancy. Perhaps even more offensive, he figures that GLBT people should sit back and quietly accept it, on the basis of his "irrefutable medical evidence". (Actually, I think the Day Of Silence is one of the most brilliant protests out there - because it so effectively represents EXACTLY what the bigot crowd wants, and they know it calls them on it - without getting into a yelling match)

Of course, we shouldn't point out to Mr. Barber - or Mr. Boissoin, for that matter - that GLBT civil rights have exactly nothing to do with gay male sex or HIV transmission per se. (and, if it does, then I'd love to see them explain away what's happening in Africa these days - where a lack of knowledge is quite successfully killing off an entire generation of straight people)

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