by Marie Borrazzo

Created on: April 29, 2009   Last Updated: May 10, 2009

Opinions versus genetics, ignorance versus education

Opinions are like noses, everybody has one and the truth is that we are all entitled to our opinions. However, science is exact and rational and thus serious life issues such as sexuality and the entire spectrum of issues relating to sexuality should be explained using facts not opinions or religious dogma, especially when educating children. Our opinions are largely influenced by our perception and reaction to the issue(s) at hand. However, that does not serve as grounds to make our opinion absolute truth.

When society grows tired of violence and evil in our world especially when our children are hurt or hurt themselves we as parents ask, why is this something we must endure?' The next typical behavioral choice is to blame someone or some group or thing. We must demonize someone or other entity to somehow erroneously immaculate ourselves as not associated with that population or concept and of course, to displace blame and not accept responsibility for our choices and actions.

Comments and opinions such as: The world is in shambles because of immorality; Keep homosexuals away from our kids; Homosexuality is weakening America; Gays in the militaryoh no those uniforms! Misconceptions exist because of ignorance and misinformed individuals spewing their opinions without scientific facts.

As a child of the 70's growing up in a strict Roman Catholic religious household I recall arguing with one of the priests who was commenting erroneously that there were no signs of sexual diversity among any animal phylum. When I corrected him of his error, as did a few of the other children in my class, his response was to throw us out of the church and later discipline us as if we had done something wrong by correcting him and presenting facts.

I mean how dare we speak openly about facts relating to sexuality. How dare we train and let alone allow trained and formally educated professionals to constructively discuss issues relating to sexuality and divergent sexuality with our children?

Parents with little or no formal education or even those who are formally educated but not informed of the topic of discussion merely share their opinion with their child and do so with their right to parent but too often share unbalanced viewpoints relating to said topics.

Most parents want to exert control over their children and their choices, especially when it comes to sexual orientation. This state of fear is at the root of the

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