Cries for help

The number of boys calling the charity ChildLine with worries about their sexuality has more than trebled in the last five years, with many concerned about coming out, Pink News reports.

“In 2007/08, 3,510 calls from boys (six per cent) were about their sexuality, compared with only one per cent of calls from girls,” the online news source says, adding, “Although the total number of boys calling the line has doubled, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) says calls about sexuality have still risen proportionately to more than three times the amount five years ago.”

Now why should anyone – assuming they are – be surprised that jibes about sexuality are causing young people to be worried about their sexuality?

While there are adults, who ought to know better, bleating about how evil it is to be gay – adults in organisations such as the Catholic Church, the Anglican Church, mosques and what have you – is there any wonder that boys are going to be made to feel like shit?

But that’s religion for you.