This point often sends homosexual activists into a rage. They want so badly for homosexual behavior to be the equal of heterosexual behavior that they will deny the evidence and attack the character of the researchers who report about the negative health effects of the gay lifestyle. Despite their objections, there is valid data to show that male homosexuality in particular is extremely unhealthy.
Before we look at that data, I need to make clear that this point is not necessary for the case against same-sex marriage. In other words, even if homosexual activity was just as healthy as sex between a man and a woman, same-sex marriage should still be opposed because of the negative effects it would have on natural marriage and children, as we’ll see later. I include this point only because it answers the claim that same-sex marriage would improve the health of homosexuals. It will not improve their health but probably hurt it. So let’s get started. It has been said that everyone is entitled to their own opinions but not their own facts. Unfortunately, homosexual activists act as if they are entitled to their own facts, one of which asserts that there is no real difference between heterosexual and homosexual relationships. Same-sex marriage advocate Andrew Sullivan writes, “[Gay marriage] says for the first time that gay relationships are not better or worse than straight relationships…. ”20
Sullivan is right—that’s what government-backed gay marriage would say to the world—but that’s exactly why we should not endorse it. The idea that “gay relationships are not better or worse than straight relationships” is utter nonsense. How can he deny that man-woman unions are the foundation of civilization? Doesn’t he realize that he would not exist or have grown up in such a civilized society without natural marriage?
The truth is that some relationships are better than others. People are equal, but their behaviors are not. Since homosexual behavior is contrary to the natural design and compatibility of the body, same-sex relationships can never function like man-woman relationships, nor can they birth the same benefits. So let’s stop trying to equate same-sex with heterosexual relationships. They never can be the same. Biology prevents it and the evidence we are about to see disproves it.
Homosexual Behavior – Medically Inferior
Even if we ignore the issue of procreation, the evidence shows that homosexual unions are medically inferior to man-woman unions. Homosexual behavior:
- Results in numerous health problems to those who practice it, including increases in AIDS, other STDs, colon and rectal cancer, and hepatitis. According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 82 percent of all known sexually-transmitted AIDS cases in 2006 were the result of male-to-male sexual contact. Moreover, gay and bisexual men account for more than 60 percent of all syphilis cases.21
- Shortens the life span of homosexuals, probably by eight to twenty years (see note 22 for data on homosexual life span studies, some of which are controversial).22 Smoking, on average, reduces life span by seven years. Since we discourage smoking, why are we thinking of endorsing homosexuality?
- Spreads disease to innocent people who never engage in homosexual sex. A prominent example is Ryan White, the teenage boy who died of AIDS after a blood transfusion. There are thousands of Ryan Whites—according to the CDC, there are nearly ten thousand known cases of innocent people in the United States who have contracted AIDS the same way, including 160 in 2005 and 131 in 2006 (this despite improvements in blood screening).23 Moreover, there are thousands of innocent heterosexuals (many are spouses) who have contracted STDs via sexual contact with bisexuals.
- Costs Americans millions in higher health insurance premiums because increased health costs from homosexual behavior are reflected in those premiums. In fact, the homosexual lobby has induced some states to prevent insurers from asking potential consumers any medical questions, including if they are HIV positive! As a result, every consumer is paying a higher premium because insurance companies are prevented from identifying clients who engage in high-risk sexual behavior.
Compliments of Correct, not Politically Correct, authored by Frank Turek. For more information, visit www.impactapologetics.com.
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Frank Turek
A dynamic speaker and award-winning author. He has appeared on numerous TV and radio programs including: The O’Reilly Factor, Hannity and Colmes, Faith under Fire, Politically Incorrect, The Bible Answerman, and Focus on the Family. He has a doctorate in Apologetics and a Master’s degree in Public Adminstration. A former Naval Aviator who served in the Pacific, Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf, Frank conducts engaging presentations for Churches, Youth Events, Non-Profits, Universities, and Corporations including:
