So, if you are gay you are more likely to be a pedophile?

[pooja]

Is this the beginning of new laws banning gay's from adoption and job positions that are centered around children? Is this the new witch hunt? If a high-up congressional figure is a gay, pedophile can anyone gay be trusted? I can see a nazi-fied round up coming through the scopes.

[readmoreoften]

1. I'm not sure if that's in the plans for this week.

But who knows what it will become next week. Give it time. I suspect it will start with a purge of GLBT teachers. Then it will expand outwards.

[Cleetus]

2. No, not at all..

I would worry more about leaving my kid at church.

[slackmaster]

3. I don't know the answer - Does anyone have a link to actual research?

I have personally heard several gay men who openly proclaimed attraction to boys in their mid to early teens. A good friend of mine who is gay almost got in a lot of trouble because he invited a young boy to a party (at my house, as a matter of fact) and the kid's parents found out about it. (There was no sexual contact.)

But all that was a long time ago, back in the '70s and '80s, and those gay men were themselves quite young at the time.

I also have a good friend who is straight, who had a lengthy sexual relationship with a precocious, street-wise 13-year-old girl, when he was 18.

And of course we can always argue about the technical definition of pedophilia.

[Starlight]

14. No link, but I've heard psychology professors insist it's LESS likely. No>

idea whether or not that's true.

[Midlodemocrat]

4. Statistically, most pedophiles are heterosexual.

And, that fact is pretty well known, so I don't think they will be able to use the fact that Foley is gay against the gay community.

[slackmaster]

10. Statistically, most people are heterosexual

So if the RATE of pedophilia was the same between gays and straights, your statement would be true.

[Midlodemocrat]

13. I'm looking for a link right now, but coming up empty.

[ellenfl]

30. but they WILL try.

so by foley's logic, young girls who were molested will become alcoholic pedophiles, too. do i have that right? it's all so much bullsh*t.

ellen fl

[Anakin Skywalker]

5. Well, According to the Rightwing.........

[BlueJazz]

6. Geez.. thought everybody knew that Gay=Pedophile. nt

[NC_Nurse]

7. I don't buy it

and I doubt most thinking people do. What about the guy who just shot all those girls in PA? He wasn't gay....so I call BS!

[pooja]

11. and we never thought torture laws would pass in America.

Everything is possible in Amerika today.

[Olney Blue]

8. I want to see some valid data on that subject.

[MrCoffee]

9. No, this is just a hasty and ill-conceived defense to appeal to the base.

No more, no less.

[guinivere]

12. Oh, I don't think that's true at all.

And if the republiscums crank up a witch hunt, we can help our gay friends fight back.

[Scooter24]

15. No,

it's just a pathetic way to try and make this debate about being gay than a sicko republican who's corrupt party tried to hide his dirty laundry and failed.

[LSK]

16. according to Homophobe #1 Pat Buchanon, yes

[hijinx87]

17. I see real danger here

this plays to the unwashed masses' worst fears of
"out of control, dangerous sexual predator" gay men
chasing everyone's kids around.

I see a real chance of over reaction. especially the
fundies, and most especially with their grip on power
weakening.

this worries me greatly.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

18. if you are MALE you are more likely to be a pedophile...

THAT'S for sure. Don't know about the gay thing, though.

[marmar]

19. Just from listening to some casual conversations about Foley...

at work and elsewhere yesterday and today, I think that idea - which sadly is in the back of a lot of people's minds, even some who claim to be liberal - has again surfaced its ugly head. One guy, usually an open-minded guy, described the Foley situation as "extra disgusting" because Foley was sending the messages to "a guy." In other words, a pedophile is a pervert, but a gay pedophile is a pervert with an exclamation point.
I called him on it, figuring a protest from another heterosexual male would have an impact on him. It didn't. He just replied that it was still more disgusting that he was talking dirty to "a guy."
Sadly I fear that the "worst member of a group being held up as the representative for the whole group" phenomenon is at work here. And as an African American male, I know how hurtful and damaging that phenomenon is. I'm sad that we even have to have this conversation.

[leftoverright]

24. Faith-based initiative

"a gay pedophile is a pervert with an exclamation point"
To a gay-hating base, it is. It is especially poignant that it's a repug congressman with his hand in the cookie jar. And so close to the release of Woodward's not-so-flattering book. Hmmm.
Hastert knew?
And now he's trying to assuage his cover-up actions?
I just wonder how much it's going to take.
Will the republicans have to engage in human sacrifice, replete with the consumption of raw flesh, before the pass be lifted?
How did they become so non-stick?
Faith.
Their supporters believe that their cause is righteous, and that any means necessary to achieve their ends are justified. Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead. Stay the course.
Faith will destroy the world, for reason cannot constrain it.
J.W. Cunningham was wrong.

[marmar]

26. Religious fundamentalism is destroying the world...

and welcome to DU!

[Chipper Chat]

20. Not a shred of evidence that gays are more likely to be

pedophiles. Isn't a pedophile is a person who desires sex with children - ie a child who has not reached puberty? (??)
Any person who has reached sexual maturity (15? 16? 17?) can be attracted to another regardless of age. In our 'society' most just dont act on it, but it's there. Sexual orientation has nothing to do with it. The fundies are all wrong logically or just rabid. Or total nut cases - you pick.

[pooja]

21. This is not what I believe. I was posting as--is this to come?

A pedophile comes in all shapes and sizes, all sexes, and all colors. It is also hard to label an 18yr old a pedophile while his girlfriend is 17 (and this does happen--one pissed off dad and the poor kid is filing as a sexual offender the rest of his/ her life).

Also, I know that when I was old enough to drive a car, I was old enough to date. I did not date the guys in my highschool (limited selection in small town America)... I usually dated someone who was at least 20 or 21. I would never have gone for an old man that could be my father... but I have to admit that Sean Connery is hot as all hell.. One of my friends had a thing for Letterman.

[JerseygirlCT]

22. Yes, it serves two purposes:

the continued mistreatment of gay and lesbian citizens, and distracting the public from the crime here, which isn't about sexual orientation, but sexual exploitation of a minor.

[hijinx87]

23. I was actually expecting the cretins to turn this

into another "horror story" to scare people about
gay marriage.

[JerseygirlCT]

27. Give them time. nt

[William Bloode]

25. Thats what i've been hearing all day on T.V.

So it just has to be true! I'm the first to admit i am not the most homosexually friendly person on the planet, and even i find what i have been hearing today sickening. Seems some have used this a great opportunity to bash gays.

Look over there it's the evil queers after yer kids!!!

:puke:

[TheDonkey]

28. October Surprise!? All gays must be sexually abused predators

give me a break. Republican filth can never stoop low enough

[hijinx87]

29. vote rethug. we will protect your kids from gay predators.

take it to the bank. we will hear that one.

bastards. :grr:

the fact that foley is one of theirs will be totally forgotten.