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NYSYD Statement on Proposition 8

  • As many as 7.2 million Americans under age 20 are lesbian or gay.
  • 45% of gay males and 20% of lesbians experience physical or verbal assault in high school; 28% of these young people feel forced to drop out of school due to harassment based on sexual orientation.
  • 28% of boys and 17% of girls have one or more same-sex experiences before age 20.
  • Statistics from “Gay and Lesbian Stats” Edited by Bennet L. Singer and David Deschamps

These statistics demonstrate the composition of homosexual youth throughout our Country. Clearly young adults who struggle with self identity all over the U.S. begin to face discrimination at a young age. Dissuasions like passage of Proposition 8 in California have pushed the light at the end of the tunnel farther away, making it more difficult for some of our best, brightest and most capable to realize their potential in adulthood, simply because of a preference and orientation.

“WHEREAS, the New York State Young Democrats support all efforts to afford equal protection under the law to New York State citizens regardless of race, religion, gender, disability and sexual orientation;”

As this portion of a NYSYD resolution states, our members support all efforts to afford equal protection to all individuals regardless of race, religion, gender, disability and sexual orientation. It is in that spirit that the New York State Young Democrats are proud to support the decision in Perry v. Schwarzenegger, which deemed the ban on homosexual marriage unconstitutional. This was a ruling that helped solidify the standing that will give young homosexuals the ability to take the next step forward in achieving true equality.

Victories like the overturning of Proposition 8 and the addition of Elena Kagan to the United States Supreme Court are the force pushing the light at the end of the tunnel back towards our grasp. Milestones such as these build momentum that will propel us closer to the end of the tunnel and ensure that the government will never discriminate any of our Nation’s citizens. People must not and cannot be discriminated against for any reason, especially a reason that is based on ignorance and insensitivity. NYSYD will remain committed to supporting all efforts to afford equal protection for all individuals in any form.