Speech Help

[Darquesse]

I've been asked back to my old high school to do a speech on gay rights, so just asking you guys: any ideas?

[Kidd]

What exactly is the speech supposed to be about? I gave one a year ago about homophobia and LGBT youth suicide at my university. I wish we could attach powerpoints. Would totally give it to you. :/

Just some of the highlights from the PP that you might find useful...

Why is it that, as a culture, we are more comfortable seeing two men holding guns than holding hands?
~Ernest Gaines

...and then I quoted a paper from the American Psychological Association;

* Gay men, lesbians, and bisexual individuals can live satisfying lives as well as form stable, committed relationships and families that are equivalent to heterosexual relationships in essential respects.

* Same-sex sexual attractions, behavior, and orientations per se are normal and positive variants of human sexuality.

* There are numerous theories about the origins of a person's sexual orientation. Most scientists today agree that sexual orientation is most likely the result of a complex interaction of environmental, cognitive and biological factors. In most people, sexual orientation is shaped at an early age. There is also considerable recent evidence to suggest that biology, including genetic or inborn hormonal factors, play a significant role in a person's sexuality.

Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation

http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources...c-response.pdf

Then some stats about LGBT youth;

http://data.lambdalegal.org/pdf/158.pdf

I have a ton more...

[Rinamir Mortem]

On the point of Gay Rights I think your best chances will be to go to newspapers or find Sociological articles on how Gay Rights have developed over the years.

I would definately use that Homosexuality was once termed as a Psychological disorder. Only until 1973 was it declassified. From the Sociological perspective one could argue that by classifying Homosexuality as a disorder allowed for the systematic control of gay men by putting them away in mental institutes and potentially treated with electo-convulsive therapy. That is as much as I can think that the field of Psychology can turn up for you.

[Alex15]

You should reference countries that already have same sex equality laws in place, Spain for example is awesome on how they treat the LGBT community. I'd say the opposition to equality is wrong considering I've seen a ton of same sex couples holding hands and kissing on the sidewalks here and as far as I can tell the world isn't exactly ripping itself apart. It's just normal, and I think they've only had the laws for 5 years maybe? Not sure on that number but it hasn't been long and it's already perceived as normal here.