Changes

[[Image:Biol 01 img0018.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[Human Immunodeficiency Virus]] attacking T4 [[lymphocyte]]s]]

[[Image:Biol 01 img0018.jpg|thumb|200px|right|[[Human Immunodeficiency Virus]] attacking T4 [[lymphocyte]]s]]

'''Teenage homosexuality''' is an important issue given that how a person develops and behaves early in their homosexuality can have profound effects in later life. For example, it is important the teenagers are knowledgeable about the [[Causes of Homosexuality|causes of homosexuality]].  Also, given the existence of [[Ex-homosexuals|ex-homosexuals]], if a teen has already engaged in [[homosexuality]] or is a homosexual, there is certainly hope concerning [[Overcoming homosexuality|overcoming homosexuality]] since the best evidence indicates that [[Homosexuality and choice|engaging in homosexuality is ultimately a matter of choice and so is leaving the homosexual lifestyle]]. In addition, teenagers and parents should be aware of the [[Homosexuality and Health|negative health effects of homosexual activity]].  For example, in 2006, the noted pediatric journal  ''Journal of Adolescent Health'' published a position paper entitled ''[[HIV]] infection and [[AIDS]] in adolescents: An update of the position of the Society for Adolescent Medicine''. <ref name="adhealth">[http://www.adolescenthealth.org/PositionPaper_HIV_Infection_and_AIDS_in_Adolescents-update.pdf Position Paper: ''[[HIV]] infection and [[AIDS]] in adolescents: An update of the position of the Society for Adolescent Medicine''Journal of Adolescent Health 38 (2006) 88–91]</ref> The paper stated : "Among adolescents and young adults with HIV or AIDS, most infections are acquired by having sex with HIV-infected men."(see: [[Homosexuality and AIDS]]).<ref name="adhealth" /> In September of 2010, [[Reuters]] reported: "Nearly one in five gay and bisexual men in 21 major U.S. cities are infected with HIV, and nearly half of them do not know it".<ref>http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/09/23/us-aids-usa-idUSTRE68M3H220100923</ref> In addition, the ''Journal of Adolescent Health'' declared:

'''Teenage homosexuality''' is an important issue given that how a person develops and behaves early in life can have profound effects in later life. For example, it is important the teenagers are knowledgeable about the [[Causes of Homosexuality|causes of homosexuality]].  Also, given the existence of [[Ex-homosexuals|ex-homosexuals]], if a teen has already engaged in [[homosexuality]] or is a homosexual, there is certainly hope concerning [[Overcoming homosexuality|overcoming homosexuality]] since the best evidence indicates that [[Homosexuality and choice|engaging in homosexuality is ultimately a matter of choice and so is leaving the homosexual lifestyle]]. In addition, teenagers and parents should be aware of the [[Homosexuality and Health|negative health effects of homosexual activity]].  For example, in 2006, the noted pediatric journal  ''Journal of Adolescent Health'' published a position paper entitled ''[[HIV]] infection and [[AIDS]] in adolescents: An update of the position of the Society for Adolescent Medicine''. <ref name="adhealth">[http://www.adolescenthealth.org/PositionPaper_HIV_Infection_and_AIDS_in_Adolescents-update.pdf Position Paper: ''[[HIV]] infection and [[AIDS]] in adolescents: An update of the position of the Society for Adolescent Medicine''Journal of Adolescent Health 38 (2006) 88–91]</ref> The paper stated : "Among adolescents and young adults with HIV or AIDS, most infections are acquired by having sex with HIV-infected men."(see: [[Homosexuality and AIDS]]).<ref name="adhealth" /> In September of 2010, [[Reuters]] reported: "Nearly one in five gay and bisexual men in 21 major U.S. cities are infected with HIV, and nearly half of them do not know it".<ref>http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/09/23/us-aids-usa-idUSTRE68M3H220100923</ref> In addition, the ''Journal of Adolescent Health'' declared:

{{cquote|As of December 31, 2003, almost 38,500 cases of AIDS had been reported in adolescents and young adults 13–24 years old in the United States of America. Previous studies demonstrating that the risk of AIDS increased with the age at infection suggest that a large proportion of people developing AIDS in their third decade of life became infected with HIV as teens.<ref name="adhealth" />}}

{{cquote|As of December 31, 2003, almost 38,500 cases of AIDS had been reported in adolescents and young adults 13–24 years old in the United States of America. Previous studies demonstrating that the risk of AIDS increased with the age at infection suggest that a large proportion of people developing AIDS in their third decade of life became infected with HIV as teens.<ref name="adhealth" />}}