Feb 3, 2011
Study Links Homophobia and Bullying To Gay and Lesbian Health Problems
Gay and Lesbian Health Problems Caused By Homophobia Not Love
A first of it’s kind study conducted at Montreal’s Concordia University shows a direct link between homophobia/bullying and the higher rate of health problems experienced in the Gay and Lesbian community. The study conducted by Michael Benibgui explains why homosexuals tend to have more health problems and a slightly shorter life expectancy.
Being bullied for being gay or lesbian can cause a hormonal disruption that is known to increase suicide rates, memory loss, cardiovascular problems and bone-density depletion, a study from Montreal’s Concordia University shows.
“This shows that homophobia is bad for your health,” said the study’s author, graduate student Michael Benibgui.
The newly released study is the first to show a biological link between homophobic bullying and long-lasting physical and psychological conditions, he said.
The results showed that victims of homophobia had disruptions in their output of cortisol, a hormone released in the brain as a response to stress. Normally, cortisol levels are highest in the morning and lowest in the evening, but those facing homophobic bullying consistently produced higher levels throughout the day, Benibgui said.
Organizations that promote homophobia and bullying are directly responsible for the negative health consequences often associated with being Gay or Lesbian. Many of these anti-Gay organizations actually cite our communities health problems as a method of promoting more homophobia.
Homophobic christian messaging and school bullying are killing Gay and Lesbian Americans and it must be stopped.
