I'm sorry, sir... Have you actually read the publication in question which you defend so passionately? I somehow suspect that you have not. Even if we put civility, morality, and personal opinions aside for a moment, the fact remains that the New Family Structure Study is just bad science. Regnerus has drawn extraordinary conclusions based on a study conducted without a control group. I'm not sure how familiar you are with the scientific method, but this experimental design alone renders ANY conclusions he might've drawn based solely on these data essentially invalid and unsubstantiated -- no matter which side of the moral debate they might've ended up supporting -- which is why so many of his peers in academia have also denounced this study. Despite what you may think, the public outcry surrounding this substandard excuse for quality research concerns much more than purely social agendas. Granted, I have personal opinions about the social implications as well, as most people do, but regardless of what you or I or anyone else might think about the civil rights issue at hand, it cannot and will not change the fact that this is just BAD SCIENCE. Even if Regnerus's findings had been in full support of the other side here, I would still be of the opinion that it fails to meet the high standard of credible, quality research from a purely academic point of view. One cannot draw conclusions from an experiment or study conducted without a control. I don't make these rules; that is Scientific Method 101. Every good researcher in the world knows this. Whatever your beliefs may or may not be, the Regnerus study is just bad science and that's all there is to it.

While I do genuinely appreciate the gesture, any gratitude here ought run only in the other direction. Thank you not just for the kind words, but my sincere and heartfelt thanks goes out to *ALL* of you here at NCRM and the great many others around the planet working tirelessly, often thanklessly, in efforts to bring about a truly positive change in the world. I dream of the day that American children learn about our era's struggle for civil treatment and equal rights from history books rather than from the evening news. It does seem inevitable that day will come eventually, I just wish for it to be sooner rather than later. Either way, though, you guys are already all heroes in my book for doing much more than your fair share to try and get us there faster. Looking forward to it.
~
K

(Sorry, wasn't sure where to put this.)

I've been looking for a way to send this to Mr. Rose directly because I didn't want it to seem like shameless self advertisement by posting in a public forum, but I'm unable to find his contact information. I just thought he (and possibly a few others here) might enjoy an opinion piece I wrote about this appalling "study." Granted, my tiny blog was only started as a project for a Texas Government course, so practically no one reads it besides my professor, classmates and friends on Facebook, but it was written with heartfelt intent.

kristagollihar.blogspot.com/2012/07/gay-bashing-and-bad-science

I just wanted to let Mr. Rose and everyone else in the GLBT community know that there are at least a few of us left down here in Texas who are NOT disgustingly discriminatory, painfully prejudiced people. Though we are clearly and unfortunately the minority in this God-forsaken state (pun intended), I speak for myself and all of my wonderful, equality-loving friends when I say, for what little it's worth, there are many Texans who would like to extend to all of you our total and heartfelt support. The pursuit of equality, tolerance, acceptance, justice and the fair extension of civil rights and liberties to ALL of America's citizens is a worthwhile endeavor indeed, and we are immensely proud to stand in your corner.

Also, my husband and I live here in Austin (he is currently a PhD student at UT and I will likely be transferring there soon myself) so if there is anything we can do locally to help the cause, please don't hesitate to ask.

Sincerely,
Krista Gollihar

(Sorry, wasn't sure where to put this.)

I've been looking for a way to send this to Mr. Rose directly because I didn't want it to seem like shameless self advertisement by posting in a public forum, but I'm unable to find his contact information. I just thought he (and possibly a few others here) might enjoy an opinion piece I wrote about this appalling "study." Granted, my tiny blog was only started as a project for a Texas Government course, so practically no one reads it besides my professor, classmates and friends on Facebook, but it was written with heartfelt intent.

kristagollihar.blogspot.com/2012/07/gay-bashing-and-bad-science

I just wanted to let Mr. Rose and everyone else in the GLBT community know that there are at least a few of us left down here in Texas who are NOT disgustingly discriminatory, painfully prejudiced people. Though we are clearly and unfortunately the minority in this God-forsaken state (pun intended), I speak for myself and all of my wonderful, equality-loving friends when I say, for what little it's worth, there are many Texans who would like to extend to all of you our total and heartfelt support. The pursuit of equality, tolerance, acceptance, justice and the fair extension of civil rights and liberties to ALL of America's citizens is a worthwhile endeavor indeed, and we are immensely proud to stand in your corner.

Also, my husband and I live here in Austin (he is currently a PhD student at UT and I will likely be transferring there soon myself) so if there is anything we can do locally to help the cause, please don't hesitate to ask.

Sincerely,
Krista Gollihar