Suicide Prevention

[Gilgamesh]

Using homosexuals as an example, as one in four are likely to commit suicide, we are trying to integrate them into culture and give them equal rights and value in society. However, there is still a large group of people who don't think we should. In turn, they react nastily to these people and, about 1-in-4, it ends badly.

I'm sick of people here always making these things an "us and them" argument. Homosexuals have far more things on their plate that contribute to mental illness and ultimately suicide that has nothing to do with being "accepted" or "unaccepted" by culture. Drug use, STI's (esp. HIV) and depression are three very large contributors. The gay friends that I have had were never in any danger of me revoking my friendship with them because of their lifestyle choice, and I think there are many people who have much the same outlook as I do on this and related lifestyle matters. It's not up to us to judge others for their lifestyles, and I know I'm not responsible for oppressing anyone. It's the same with the friends of mine who use drugs - they know I'm anti-drug, and they also know that I don't try and belittle them or do anything against them.

Depression isn't a starting point; there's a causation beyond that. Why would homosexuals be depressed? Could the cause be that there exist people who hate and/or want to oppress them on the basis that their sexual preference is different than the normal? Also, since when is a sexual preference a life-style choice?