Therefore, a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24 (ESV)

Countless studies indicate that people who identify as LGBTQ experience significantly higher rates of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. According to some reports, nearly 50% of LGBTQ youth have considered suicide while nearly 1 in 5 will attempt suicide.

Additionally, the rate of infection for sexually transmitted diseases is exponentially higher among the LGBTQ community. For example, gay men account for the vast majority of new cases of syphilis and AIDS and are diagnosed with anal cancer at 17 times the rate of straight men. The data is telling us that there is something about the LGBTQ lifestyle that is deeply detrimental.

Christianity teaches that sexuality is a good gift from God that is to be enjoyed within the context of heterosexual marriage. In that context, our bodies flourish. However, outside of that context, sexuality will always be inescapably harmful, as countless studies have demonstrated. This is why we find very few occurances of sexual disease within the context of monogamous heterosexuality.

To ignore the data is to diminish the intrinsic value of people who identify as LGBTQ. A genuine concern for those who embrace this lifestyle is not only rational, it is compassionate.

Data from: https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2015/06/15145/