Study: Same-sex Dating Positive for Gay Teens

As someone who did not get to date anyone during my teenage years, I can definately see the correlation between same-sex dating for gay and lesbian folks and positive feelings about one's identity. I, for one, suffered with low self-esteem and self-confidence throughout my adolescence as a closted kid in the South. It would have been nice to at least have a romantic relationship with someone who could understand what it is like to live in the closet. Instead, I entered young adulthood with terrible feelings about my gay identity. Frankly, its nice to see academics begin to seriously look at this issue and how the inability of gay and lesbian teens to even have the ability to date someone really hampers their development at the critical time of adolescence. I'd like to see academic studies done on how not dating during your teens can mess with your transition to normal adulthood and dating habits. I hope The Advocate posts a link to this article, by the way, I'd like to read it.

The word "dating" here confuses me a little. Generally, it implies a potentially romantic situation, but the implication of the article seems to be that both straight and non-straight benefit. Do two straight guys go out to a movie and later smooch in the car and go home with higher self-esteem and treat their girlfriends with more respect? It's entirely possible of course. In my teens and later, I dated best-friend girls while trying my damnedest to spend lots of time with guys I lusted after. Of course there was no smooching (with either), but for the guys who knew I worshipped the ground they walked on, it was a total ego trip, while hell-on-earth for me. I don't think my self-esteem benefited at all (altho theirs may have). Actually, dating girls seemed to be much better for my self-esteem at the time! Anyway, dating someone you really like also leaves lots of room for angst. I wonder if that kind of thing was also covered in the study.

This research shows that same-sex dating increases self-esteem in teen gay boys and reduces internalized homophobia in teen lesbians. Are these conclusions really so obvious? Why wouldn't dating increase lesbians' self-esteem and reduce homophobia in boys? It took research to find this out. I can think of some people who wouldn't find the results obvious at all. Maggie Gallagher of the so-called National Organization for Marriage, for example, would argue strenuously against them. Thanks to this research, she'd have a tougher time making that case. In fact, this research helps to undermine the right-wing claims that homosexuality is an unhealthy lifestyle and that gay teens should try to go straight. I would suggest that the money spent on this research went to a good cause.

I wish Advocate would take time to write more comprehensible items: what on earth does "dating members of the same-sex relationships" mean? Unfortunately, this seems to be part of a hit-and-run style of journalism that is often very superficial or inaccurate (I refer specially to articles about church matters). The GLBTQ community deserves better!

All right, smart asses! Of course it makes sense but scientific studies and evidence have greater validity than "stuff anyone should be able to figure out." Think of the recent prop 8 trial- our side could bring in experts vs the other side who brought in people who were just saying stuff.

It amazes me that people need to spend time and money on such obvious things. Dating and exploring your social/sexual identity is a huge part of growing up and learning many of the basic skills required to be an adult. Why wold they assume it would/should be otherwise for gays and lesbians? Really? If you can follow and learn in a positive, supported loving manner your natural inclinations during this important developmental phase of your life you'll be a happier, healthier individual? Wow, how much money was spent on that? Just in case: Children are happier and healthier when they eat properly and their parents are involved in their lives, dogs do better when walked daily and fed regularly, and relationships work better when the couples are open, honest and respectful. It's like they think we're aliens or something.

It does more than boosting self-confidence, it gives them the opportunity to live their lives openly, honestly and in accordance to what they feel inside. As society, we have to show teens and young adults that acceptance, tolerance and mutual respect is not only the basis for any healthy relationship they foster in their adult lives, but also a solid foundation for local communities where they live. One community at a time we will make this world a much better and improved place to be. We do not need a research to evidence that, do we?