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Prop. 8 Can Cause Gay Suicide, Columbia Prof Testifies
By
John Del Signore
Published Jan 15, 2010
Modified Jan 15, 2010
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By
John Del Signore
Published Jan 15, 2010
Modified Jan 15, 2010
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A Columbia University social scientist was called to testify yesterday in the high-profile federal trial to decide if Proposition 8 violates the U.S. Constitution. For the past decade, Ilan Meyer has studied the effects that public health issues have on the mental health of minority populations. Yesterday Meyer testified that California's voter-enacted ban on same-sex marriages amplified the social stigma that makes homosexuals more susceptible to depression, suicide and substance abuse. When asked if mental health outcomes for gay and lesbian in CA would improve if Prop. 8 were not law, Meyer said:
Yes. Consistent with my work and findings that show that when people are exposed to more stress than less stress they are more likely to get sick, consistent with a law that says to gay people you are not welcome here, your relationships are not valued vs. the opposite has significant power.
People in our society have goals that are cherished by all people, that are part of the social convention. We are all raised to think there are certain things we want to achieve in life, and this Proposition 8 says if you are gay or lesbian, you cannot achieve this particular goal.
The Prop. 8 trial now enters its fifth day; SFist has more on some disturbing deposition tactics, and Autostraddle has had some lively trial coverage.
Tagged
california
gay marriage
prop 8
same sex marrige
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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