Sexual Identity

What is sexual identity? Is it a physical characteristic? Is it a psychological

characteristic? Is it some combination of the two? In this report, we are going to discuss this

topic of sexual identity. We will approach it from a definition standpoint, so that all who read

can have the same understanding that we have. We will show how it has progressed through

the recent years in the media. We will take a Biblical stance and define the topic based on the

Scriptures. Finally, we will show what and how it might look like in the local community or even

in your own church.

So what exactly do we mean when we say sexual identity? Wikipedia describes sexual

identity as

a term that, like sex, has two distinctly different meanings. One describes an identity

roughly based on sexual orientation, the other an identity based on sexual

characteristics, which is not socially based but based on biology, a concept related to,

but different from, gender identity. (Italic emphasis by this author)1

This can make for some confusion. In addition, to make matters worse some define sexual

identity as simply “how a person sees him or herself physically, e.g. male or female” 2 which

would be the same as sexual characteristics. Others state that it is the “feelings about ones

own sexual orientation, gender, gender role and gender identity. 3” As you can tell, there are

many different ideas as to what sexual identity truly is. This is one of the purposes of this

report to help clarify some of these topics and understand how we as youth ministers, pastors,

or even lay people within the church can help our congregations.
 As shown in the definition above there are other words in which we need a little more

clarification, to help us gain a better understanding; sexual orientation, sexual characteristics

(this is whether we are physically male or female), and gender identity. We will try to help in

giving a better understanding to what we mean by each of these terms and how you can use

them properly. Take notice that there are some key words to make sure the person you are

talking with, describes them the way you would when talking about this subject; orientation,

gender, and identity.

We will begin with sexual orientation as defined by the Sexuality Information and

Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) as an individual in which their orientation is

“based on whom they are attracted to or fall in love with, this is not always the case.

For example, there are some people who have sexual thoughts and experiences with

people of the same gender, but do not consider themselves to be gay, lesbian, or

bisexual. And there are people who have sexual thoughts and experiences with people

of the other gender but do not consider themselves to be heterosexual.” 4

For the purpose of this report, we will define sexual orientation as the gender of the objects of

our sexual desires. Based on this definition, we need to define more about what the different

sexual orientations are in our society.

The first sexual identity is heterosexual, which refers to a person who is attracted to and

falls in love with someone of another gender, and homosexual refers to a person who is

attracted to and falls in love with someone of the same gender. A bisexual person is attracted

to and falls in love with someone of another or the same gender.5 However, this is not the

complete list of terms, which currently exists in our society. There are two new terms that have
been added recently, questioning and transgender. Questioning is a person who is unsure of

his/her sexual orientation. Transgender is an individual whose internal feelings of being male

or female differ from the sexual anatomy they were born with, but this is in reference to

gender identity, not sexual orientation.6

This brings us to define gender identity, which refers to how someone actually feels

about his or her gender and his or her role. It does not refer to any physical characteristics (i.e.

male or female genitalia) that the person might have, but it is a feeling or perception within

their mind of who they are. It was a term that came about to describe a reason for why

someone might have sex reassignment surgery. Even the American Psychiatric Association has

a classification within their DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) for a

person who has issues with gender identity to try to help prescribe the correct treatment for

him or her.

As one can see, sexual identity is not just a simple topic like discussing sports or music.

Moreover, if it is this difficult for us as leaders within the church to understand, how do we

expect our youth or congregations to understand what they are feeling or even where to begin

to help them. Nevertheless, we as the leaders in our churches need to pay attention to this

information and learn how to help our youth and their parents work through this issue.
 Some might say that they are not seeing any of this type of sexual conduct within their

group, but look at the chart to the right.

This chart shows how same-sex sexual

contact increased dramatically from

1992 to 2002, this is 2010, we are just

now getting results of studies completed

three to four years ago, and we can only

project that the numbers will probably

be even higher. As we will see later in

this report the presence of same sex

situations has increased dramatically in the past forty plus years in our television shows and

movies. With this knowledge, we cannot walk blindly around and suspect that there is no effect

on how our youth act or behave.

What issues, if any, can arise from a problem with sexual identity? What are our youth

who are dealing with this problem, actually going through in their schools? One problem is

bullying and this is affecting the lives of our youth in more ways than we can imagine.

According to the SIECUS, over twice as many lesbian, gay and bisexual students (19%)

report being threatened or injured with a weapon at their public high school during the year

over that of heterosexual students (8%).7 In addition, LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual,

transgender, and questioning) students are twice as likely to skip school (16% versus 8%)

because of similar reasons. The suicide rates of the LGBTQ are almost four times as high as all

other students combined (33% versus 9%).

 Are there any resources other than the church working for these youth? The answer is

YES. As one agency support group put it

The good news is, there are a growing number of resources and support for LGBTQ youth. 

The first Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA)—school clubs that promote tolerance and respect for

everyone regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity—formed in 1988.  GLSEN, the

Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, reports that there are now over 3,000 of the

student clubs registered with their organization

This is a problem for the church and for schools. Someone might state, well they are not in my

schools. I would caution you to not walk blindly and that you might want to investigate this

issue before making that statement. At the time of this writing, a local university had a group

listed on the universities website for the GSA. In addition, there has been at least one school

district, which has gone to court in reference with trying to keep these organizations out of

their schools (which they lost). This is a problem but it is also an opportunity for us as church

leaders. A group like this is actually open to anyone and if we proceed cautiously, we can reach

the students who attend these groups.

Also as a leader within the church, we need to become very aware of what our youth

and congregations are dealing with, individually and as a group. We need to start putting into

place strategies in how to deal with the type of bullying we were discussing above. In addition,

we need strategies that deal with the lack of education, and even the possibility of a suicide

that might occur within our local schools because of this type of bullying. However, this will not

be an easy task because the lines are blurred even more by what the media is showing as

acceptable.
 Channel Surfing: Sexual Identity in Media

It happens as soon as you turn on the TV, pick up a newspaper, or access the Internet.

You are automatically engaged with the world and its culture. What you could find is

something that might challenge you emotionally, physically, and spiritually. A growing theme in

entertainment media is the portrayal of homosexuals or the question of sexual identity among

characters on TV networks, music, movies, and all types of other media. There is no doubt that

the surge of homosexual characters on the TV screen is fueling the issues and struggles of those

dealing with it in private. Teenagers deal with identity issues, it is the crux of puberty; sexual

identity adds to the confusion, and the media adds to the chaos. The goal here is to examine

the increasing popularity and the so-called relevance of how homosexual are portrayed and

how it is affecting the culture, especially the youth culture and their formation of sexual

identity.

Since the invention of motion pictures and then the arrival of the personal television,

milestones have been accomplished and boundaries have been crossed. With the arrival of the

home TV, families have let things in their houses they would have never have opened the door

for. This time it happens with flick of the remote. Homosexuality is not something that is new or

a just fixation of the culture. It has been around since Adam and Eve rebelled and sinned

against God. Though the truly saddening thing is sin, crises, and struggles are not seen as what

they are. They are merely lifestyle choices that one must make, not something someone must

run from and repent of. Making such statements can mean many things in many different

circles. Some would criticize, condemn, and maybe ostracize me for making such a subtle

statement about homosexuality. However, the goal is ultimately to see how the culture has
moved from a conservative approach on the lifestyle to a accepting or some would say

indifferent approach.

If you were to flip through the TV Guide or TV shows you would find 20 different major

TV networks that have homosexual characters or the homosexual lifestyle in their

programming.8 Since the 1960’s the increasing number of characters of the homosexual

lifestyle has grown exponentially. Though some of the characters were not leading roles or

supporting cast, they may be guest appearances; the lifestyle is in full view of the public. From

one documented homosexual character in the 60’s to over 350-documented characters in the

1990’s, the trend of homosexual characters has grown.9 What does this tell us? Are the

networks pushing things on the American people or is it a reflection of the country’s beliefs.

This is a heated debate between liberals and conservatives, Christians and atheists. Regardless

of your view, the facts tell of an increase in the portrayal of the homosexual lifestyle.

The 2000’s were a milestone for homosexuals in the realm of television. Many may

recall shows like Will and Grace, and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy bolting to the top of ratings

and popularity. It seems that gay and lesbians are not supporting cast or guest appearances,

but the subject matter for the shows. Each year more and more are recorded. Marianne Steffey

from the East Tennessean talked about the social acceptance of homosexuality in media, “…

society has welcomed more and more homosexuals into its loving arms under the umbrella of

civil liberties. It is become increasingly acceptable to be homosexual in society today.” 10 She

would say that the images we see on TV are due to the images we see in the culture. Though it

could be said the reason why one sees it in the culture is because of what is seen on TV. This is

almost impossible to trace, but must be in the thought process of any addressing the subject. If
one negates that train of thinking they are simply not taking a critical approach of their thought.

We come to the point of what drives culture; the media or is the culture an organism in itself

that operates according to its own needs. No one knows. But, we do know that culture can be

changed and manipulated through engagement. It has happened throughout the history of

mankind, especially in the United States.

The Group called GLAAD (Gays and Lesbians Alliance Against Defamation) is the de-facto

representative for homosexual portrayal in the media. The group is the watchdog for any kind

of anti-gay/lesbian speech, or anything that could be considered that. When CNN posted a poll

on their website asking “Is the surge in gay TV characters ‘bad for society’?” the organization

was quick to criticize and condemn the poll.11 The article went on to say that the organization

would challenge this type of coverage. GLAAD sees the poll as something that intentionally

seeks to destroy homosexual credibility. In fact the GLAAD organization keeps tabs on the

media and the representation it has in the culture of television.

“The Where We Are On TV Report” is an annual report the organization puts out to see

where and how the Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/or Transgender population is represented. 12 This has

been an annual report for over fifteen years. The president of GLAAD thinks the rise is because

of the culture’s awareness, "The increase in lesbian, gay, and bisexual characters on primetime

television not only reflects the shift in American culture towards greater awareness and

understanding of our community, but also a new industry standard that a growing number of

creators and networks are adopting,"13 Again this side of the issue states that the reason is

because of public acceptance. The ones that do not accept the lifestyle are seen as intolerant.

The Proposition 8 amendment in California is a wakeup call to how people felt about
homosexuality and how they continue to feel. A majority of Californians voted to define

marriage as a union between male and female. This is the public voice of people letting the

government and media know their stance of homosexuality, at least in California. Though it is

not a definitive answer it does gauge what the public feels is right.

GLAAD sees the increase of LGBTQ characters as supporting their assumptions of

acceptability. I would rightly say that being use to the lifestyle in the media is not the same as

accepting. GLAAD only sees the study they conducted as being the standard for all others to be

judged by. The 2005/2006 American Community Survey, an extension of the U.S. Census

estimated that 8.8 million people in the United States would identify themselves as LGBTQ. 14

That is an estimated number, but not a very high number. Of the five broadcast networks ABC,

NBC, CBS, Fox, The CW twenty-three characters are LGBTQ of the 587 total characters. That is a

total of 3.9 percent of characters are LGBTQ on the five broadcast networks the number is up

from 1.1% in 2007.15

The statistics are very persuasive. Most would see that the media is just a reflection. But

considering that 8.8 million only accounts for roughly 1% of the population though it is getting

much more influence in the media. At the end of the day what does the numbers of

homosexuals in the media tell us? What can be seen? Is the influx of LGBTQ characters on TV

due to more acceptances or is it due to a minority that finds it acceptable? There is no doubt

that there is an agenda for homosexuals to be seen as a social acceptable lifestyle despite many

deep convictions. Regardless many honest studies will confirm that many of the statistics are

inflated or over estimated. Results from a Gallup poll hint at this same conclusion, “Whether

increased acceptance of homosexuality has led to an upsurge in the number of positive media
portrayals of gay characters or vice versa, one result seems to be that Americans now tend to

overestimate the gay population in America.”16 The poll also states that 6.5% of the TV

audiences are LGBTQ.

Is the portrayal of homosexuals dangerous for developing youth especially when they

are taught in scripture that homosexuality is wrong? Yes, but the conclusion cannot be one

based in hatred or bigotry. It is based on love. Love for our developing and discipleship of youth

and love for those to flee from sexual promiscuity. Ultimately at the end of the day what we see

on TV does not matter when we are finding truth in scripture. But, it does help to know what

the struggles are for youth when developing a healthy, biblical sexual identity and the factors

that influence that development. We must teach youth to think critically and biblically though

crisis situations only then will youth know where their identity lays both spiritually and sexually.

Biblical Insight

So what is our response as youth ministers to such a prevalent and serious issue as this?

Before we take any step forward in approaching or counseling a youth with sexual identity

issues, we must first look at the condition of our own heart, and then the condition of the heart

of the student. Far too many youth ministers, trying to be humorous and seem ‘cool’ have

alienated themselves from the youth in their ministry because of inappropriate jokes on the

nature of sexual identity. Too many have gone through the creation account only to mention

that God did not make “Adam and Steve.” Though some may find it funny, the students who

struggle with their sexuality will not only feel embarrassed, but they certainly feel alienated by

one individual above all others: you. By joking about the serious condition of a student’s

sexuality you communicate to them that you don’t really care. You show them that you have
no real heart in the matter. These students want to talk about what they perceive to be the

very core of their being: their sexuality.

When student ministers make light of issues students wrestle with, they ensure that no

student will ever approach them about their inner struggles. Once a student confides in you

with this issue, take extra care to not make light of the problem at hand. “As they seek to

uphold and maintain the divinely revealed moral standards of Scripture, Christians often fail to

keep the attitudes and example of Jesus in mind. Great harm has been done when Christians

confront moral confusion in cruel, self-righteous ways. In the postmodern world, it will be

impossible—even within the community of the church—to successfully grapple with issues like

cohabitation and homosexuality without a degree of humility and self-awareness that the

Christian community has seldom attained.”17

After checking you own heart, it will be necessary to see the condition of the student’s

heart of whom you are counseling. Are you talking with a Christian who is struggling with their

identity in Christ, or are you talking with a student who is not saved and therefore struggling

with their identity apart from Christ? While sin will be a part of the root issue regardless, the

youth minister must address the most pressing need. There is a root issue at the bottom of this

problem. Though life circumstances and the physical nature of some students play a role in

sexual identity confusion, the truth is that at the heart of any issue which is in opposition to

God’s plan, sin is present.

If it is a Christian student coming to you out of a sense of guilt or shame, then what they

need is to be directed back to a sweeter fellowship with God. Guilt is never meant to drive us

from God. In fact Paul speaks about how guilt (or sorrow) will either lead to repentance and
therefore a return to the sweetness of God’s fellowship, or a running away from God, even

death in 1 Corinthians 7:10. Christian students need to be shown that their guilt over their sin

(not just sexual identity but any sin) is God calling them back to Him. God will not turn His back

on His children and the student needs to be aware of that.

If the student who is coming to you about this issue is not a Christian, then we as youth

leaders would fail in our mission of reconciliation if we did not point the student towards Christ.

Their seeing their sexual identity as wrong is ultimately the Holy Spirit opening their eyes to

their overall sin problem. They are coming to realize that they are not right with God and need

redemption. If we, as youth leaders, tried to put students on a path to a heterosexual,

abstinent lifestyle but never pointed them to Christ, then we would miss the whole point of the

Gospel. We would be attempting to fix the symptoms and never the root issue of the student’s

need for Christ.

Once the student’s heart condition is determined, it will be necessary to direct them to

the authority that we submit ourselves to: God’s word. We condemn homosexuality because

God’s word condemns it, just as God’s word condemns sex outside of the marriage relationship

and pornography. It is not our culture that declares what is a right sexual identity: it’s God

through His word.

Consider Jesus’ words in Mark 10:6-9.

6
 “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’ 7 ‘For this reason

a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, 8 and the two will

become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has

joined together, let no one separate.”

Jesus’ words here are against divorce and the separation of those who have been married.

Yet we also can observe two truths made evident by “Word Power Youth.”

“First, God clearly makes us either male or female (understanding since the fall that the

corrupted genetic code of humans has brought about abnormalities in rare cases). Your

maleness or femaleness is determined by you sexual identity at birth and not by your

thought process or by philosophies or teachings that persuade you otherwise. Second,

Jesus is quite clear as to who can cleave to each other or have sexual relationships with

one another.”18

Jesus affirms the model God laid out in Genesis 1 that one man and one woman are to be

united for life. Later we read Paul’s words in Ephesians 5:

22
 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord… 25 Husbands,

love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.

Paul states that husbands should love their wives and wives their husbands. Paul does not

recognize a husband and husband or wife and wife relationship. In other passages (1 Timothy

1:10, Romans 1:26-27, and 1 Corinthians 6:9), Paul lists homosexuality among other sins that

are condemned. Nowhere in scripture is the lifestyle of a homosexual (even committed for life

to one another) praised. It is always condemned.

It is necessary for a youth leader to be able to direct students to these passages so that

they can see that God has a plan for their sexual identity and until they align themselves with

His plan for their life will be filled with a guilt that leads to death. Students who struggle need

to see that the issue is their sin, but that redemption is a part of God’s plan. He delights in the

repentance of His children. A student who begins the journey back to God by repenting of
trying to decide their own sexual identity will find a loving God with open arms. Acts 3:19 gives

them hope: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of

refreshing may come from the Lord.”

Resolving the Problem

Once upon a time youth pastors use to tell their students “True Love Waits.” It was a

popular message in the 90’s, but we cannot stop there anymore. We now have to teach

students in that “True Love Waits for someone of the Opposite Gender.” These days as early as

the third grade girls are caught kissing girls in gym class. Middle school girls are getting caught

making out in front of the parent pick up line after small groups at church on Wednesday night.

Guys are struggling with their sexual identity. The “don’t ask don’t tell” mentality of the army

has made its way into the church, and it is not ok for the church to stay silent on this issue.

Many of these gay and lesbian youth are still claiming faith affiliation. This is not an isolated

event that takes place in someone else’s church. We have the students of other church staff

wrestling with same sex attraction issues. What is a youth pastor to do?

The problem is LGBTQ youth are committing suicide and the rest of the world is blaming

the church. Why does society today seem to say, “The way my bible believing friends reacted

to a LGBTQ coming out of the closet caused them to end their life?” Where is the church?

Where is the love? These accusations are not ok, but to some extent the church and our lack of

a response is unloving and we are to easily to blame. We have not equipped our students to

love people enough to tell them the truth. Telling someone the truth does not have to be like

waking someone from a deep sleep with a bright light. The gospel is offensive, but does that

mean that we have to be? Is there not a way we could teach our students to embrace their
LGBTQ friends with the love of Christ and teach their friends to want to take their spiritual

blinders off?

“The god of this age has blinded the eyes of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the

light of the gospel, the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (II Cor 4:4). It is not a very

effective method to run around with a big spot light and trying to rip the spiritual blinders off of

people. My question is this: can we as Christians simply love people in a way that causes them

to want to take their blinders off? It may be better for us to walk with them for a while until

they ask us what we think, then they may be ready to hear the life changing truth of the gospel.

There once was a high school student who was abused by a youth pastor when he was

in middle school. It did not help that this student had already been struggling with same sex

attraction issues before the abuse occurred. He had huge questions, but most people would

not even give him the space to ask them. At a sleep over, Facebook forced him out of the

closet. The problem was that both of these student’s parents were on staff at my church. We

went for a long walk around this big pond. It was about a mile all the way around. I decided to

just say to this student, “I love you and care about you and am here to talk if you want to, but

you don’t have to.” We walked three quarters of the way around that pond in silence, but then

the questions and the pain started pouring out.

How far will you walk with a student who is struggling? How much time do you have for

youth in this crisis? It is obvious to me that we have not walked far enough, and have not

listened long enough to even earn the right to be heard. When people really are ready to hear

what you think, they will ask.

 The most frequently asked question in the past 6 months that I have been asked by

middle school, high school, and college students is: “Do gay people go to hell?” We must be

prepared to give an answer for the hope that we have. Before I give an answer to that loaded

question I always ask, “How much time do you have?” Then I answer with a series of questions

that will lead us right back to Jesus and the Gospel depending on how much time they have.

“Do you believe there is a heaven and a hell? Why? Do you believe the bible is the inspired

word of God? Who goes to hell and why? Who goes to heaven and why?” These questions

could take hours, but the conversation is so much fun. Just answering do gay people go to hell,

is not a fair question, because the truth is that everyone who rejects Christ and the Holy Spirit

drawing them to Himself is guilty of the unforgivable sin against God and will go to hell for

eternity because of their sin.

Last month at our church youth group outreach night, at a table of 5 self proclaimed

lesbians who were playing Uno, one of them asked me that question as I was passing by their

table just saying hi. An hour later, one girl put her bible back in here backpack and said, “Why

didn’t anyone ever show me those verses?” She then turned to her friend and said, “We have

to stop, I don’t want to go to hell.” Her friend responded, “Let’s just go to hell together baby.”

My questions to them were, who else do you ask these questions to? What do they tell you?

Why did you ask me? Do you really want to know? So we went there, not in judgment and

condemnation, but in love we turned the lights on as they started pulling back their blinders.

Can we love them enough to tell them the truth? Next week they were all back at church.

The bible is open to your interpretation and misinterpretation, but what we think about

truth, does not make something true or untrue. We cannot make the Bible mean whatever we
want it to mean. Truth is truth and we cannot deny or change the truth. You can not take out

certain parts that you don’t like to read or add anything else to it either. The bible is clear that

sin separates us from God, and that Jesus died for all our sin and He wants us to come to him by

grace through faith. The question students should really be asking is not, do Gay people go to

hell, but rather what is the Christians response to someone who is living in sin? This question

covers all sin, both hetro- and homo-sexual, lust, gossip, greed, gluttony, ect. I love Jesus’

words to the woman caught in adultery. He said to this woman, “Then neither do I condemn

you,” Jesus declared, “Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:11). Jesus spoke offensive

truth in an inoffensive way. He loved people enough to tell them the truth.

There is a homosexual agenda trying to remove our sexual identity choices from our list

of sin, but we cannot. We must love people enough to tell them the truth. We equally cannot

allow gay bashing, or bullying for any LGBTQ youth. We must love the church enough to tell

them the truth. There are support groups all around the country popping up for LGBTQ youth.

I wonder what would happen if we encouraged some of our students to go to them. Not to

cram our bibles down their throats in judgment and condemnation, or to burn their buildings

down, but just to walk with them and love them. How far will you walk, how long will you

listen? Can you even wait to be asked for the reason of the hope that you have? Does your life

reflect Christ love enough for people to ask you those kinds of questions? It really is not about

teaching people to speak so that others will listen. It is about teaching people to listen so that

others will speak.

1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_identity
2
http://www.equity.qut.edu.au/everyone/whatisequity/sexuality/definitions.jsp
3
http://www.coolnurse.com/sex_glossary/glossary_s.htm
4
http://www.siecus.org/_data/global/images/LGBTQYouthFactSheet-SIECUS-11.05.pdf
5
ibid
6
ibid
7
ibid
8
David A. Wyatt, “Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual Television Characters” Umanitoba.ca, accessed 12 November
2010; available from http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~wyatt/tv-characters.html; Internet.
9
Ibid.
10
Marianne Steffey, “Society more accepting of homosexual lifestyle: Images mirror culture” East
Tennessean, (2003), sec. ViewPoint, Accessed 29 November 2010; available from
http://media.www.easttennessean.com/media/storage/paper203/news/2003/09/25/Viewpoint/Soci
ety.More.Accepting.Of.Homosexual.Lifestyle-475160.shtml
11
Aaron McQuade, “CNN Removes Offensive Push-Poll at GLAAD’s Urging” GLAAD Blog: Word and
Images Matter (2010), Accessed 8 December 2010; available from
http://glaadblog.org/2010/09/10/cnn-removes-offensive-push-poll-at-glaad urging; Internet.
12
“Where We Are on TV Report: 2010 - 2011 Season” GLAAD.org, accessed 1 December 2010;
available from http://www.glaad.org/publications/tvreport10/overview; Internet.
13
Ibid.
14
Ramon Johnson, “How Many Gay People Are There? Gay Population Statistics” About.com,
accessed 8 December 2010; available from http://gaylife.about.com/od/comingout/a/population.htm;
Internet.
15
Belinda Baldwin, “Study Shows Increasing Number of LGBT Characters on Television” Change.org,
accessed 5 December 2010; available from
http://gayrights.change.org/blog/view/study_shows_increasing_number_of_lgbt_characters_on_tele
vision; Internet

16
Jennifer Robinson, “What Percentage of the Population is Gay?” Gallup.com, accessed 3 December
2010; available from http://www.gallup.com/poll/6961/what-percentage-population-gay.aspx.;
Internet.
17
“Why must Christians continue to affirm biblical sexual values in the face of widespread modern
social approval of behaviors like “hooking up,” cohabitation, and homosexuality?”

http://www.rbc.org/questionsDetail.aspx?id=59400 accessed 12/9/2010

18
Dealing with Sexual Identity Issues. http://www.wordpoweryouth.com/index.php?
option=com_content&task=view&id=23&Itemid=9 accessed 12/9/2010.