A new study released this week has demonstrated a link between familial rejection among lesbian, gay and bisexual youth and health problems in young adulthood.

“Our research has established a predictive link between specific, negative family reactions to their child’s sexual orientation and serious health problems for these adolescents in young adulthood — such as depression, illegal drug use, risk for HIV infection, and suicide attempts,” said Dr. Caitlin Ryan of the César E. Chávez Institute at San Francisco State University.

Paradoxically, religious right groups frequently slam the LGBT community on the grounds that the “lifestyle” leads to high rates of depression, drug use, HIV infection and suicide attempts. This research suggests that the religious right’s efforts to cast gays and lesbians in a negative light might actually directly contribute to the very problems they associate with gays and lesbians.

Photo via laverrue.