Gary Remafedi

In the following viewpoint, Gary Remafedi contends that many studies show a high rate of suicide attempts among gay teenagers. However, he argues, this link between homosexuality and suicide has often been overlooked due to the lack of government support of these studies, the sensitive and controversial subject matter, and the difficulty in determining if suicide victims were homosexual. It is important, Remafedi asserts, that future studies of teen suicide address the issue of homosexuality. Remafedi is the author of several articles on gay youth and suicide. He is also an associate professor of pediatrics and the director of Youth and AIDS Projects at the University of Minnesota.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to Remafedi, by what percentage have teenage suicide rates increased since 1960?
2. Why was the Report of...