In an ongoing attempt to stop disclosure of the Fistgate scandal from reaching the citizens, the homosexual activists are continuing their lawsuit against the parents who have revealed what did occur at Fistgate. A medical doctor, John R. Diggs, Jr., has submitted this Affidavit in favor of the parents, in which he outlines the "significant medical and health risks" associated with what was taught to students at Fistgate.

Affidavit 
I, John R. Diggs, Jr., MD, of South Hadley, MA, a board certified Internal Medicine specialist, hereby depose, swear and affirm and state as follows, on August 16, 2000. 

As a practicing physician and member of the Physician Resource Council of the Massachusetts Family Institute, I object to information being presented to children and adolescents by educators intended to portray homosexuality as a healthy alternative lifestyle, while deliberately omitting or disregarding the significant medical and health risks inherent to homosexual sex and the gay lifestyle. 

Under the rubric of diversity training, HIV prevention and "safer schools," the Massachusetts Department of Education has permitted the exposure of young students in public schools to sexually explicit, morally offensive, and medically risky material intended to encourage them to question, explore and expand their sexuality. These misguided efforts place young people at risk for the well known and sometimes life threatening consequences of homosexual sex and promiscuity, not the least of which are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

The starting point for this type of sexual "orientation" education is generally the contention that homosexuality is genetic or innate, and therefore, also "natural" and unalterable. Although genetic factors clearly influence many behaviors, the once widely publicized assertion that there is a "gay gene" has been discredited by the scientific and medical community, including scientists who admit they are sympathetic to the cause of homosexual activists.¹⁹ Studies of identical twins have confirmed that a genetic design for homosexuality is lacking.^{18, 17}

While human behavior is a complex interaction of biological and environmental factors, the power to make deliberate choices remains. Furthermore, although some behaviors, such as alcoholism, have genetic influences, this does not imply that they are either natural or desirable. Another obvious argument against a genetic basis for homosexuality is the fact that it would tend to extinguish itself from the gene pool over time, since there is less child bearing among this group.

An extension of the notion that homosexuality is a primary, inborn identity has been the idea that it is also unchangeable and irreversible, like skin or eye color. That thousands of people have recovered heterosexual function is proof that this is a malleable trait.

Once the changeable aspect of homosexuality is recognized, then the environmental factors that contribute to it must be addressed. It is not the role of the school to develop an environment that encourages dangerous sexual behavior, either homosexual or heterosexual. During the psychosexual development of youth, there may be transient periods of same sex admiration (that) may be eroticized. It is a disservice and contrary to the well being of the child for school authorities to encourage exploration which can result in risks to life. Schools should contain their activity to maximizing the academic capability of their constituents.

Similarly, some contend that there may be a "natural" attraction among people of the same sex. While there are a number of "naturally occurring" human drives, doctors discourage many of them even among adults. We discourage heterosexual promiscuity, cigarette smoking, and intoxications of various sorts, even though there may be a natural inclination to do these things. Some claim a natural inclination, as adults, to sexually exploit children. This, society discourages to the point of making it criminal. 

People who engage in homosexuality have the same basic sexual equipment as people who do not. Even a cursory perusal shows the biological imperative is heterosexual. Without it, there are no people. The body parts of males and females have a natural affinity which is clearly lacking in same sex relationships. Therefore, while a variety of sexual practices is possible, the anatomy obviously favors male-female sexuality. Clearly, the fact that some act is observed in human behavior does not make it "natural." Neither does "naturalness" confer moral legitimacy nor mandate teaching such acts in schools.

There are a variety of significant medical and health risks associated with homosexuality and the gay "lifestyle." These include promiscuity, multiple sexual partners, assault and battery and anal intercourse.^{10, 11, 12}

The risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted disease (STD) is directly related to the number of lifetime sexual partners. The sine qua non of the gay lifestyle is multiple partners. 43% of male homosexuals recall having sex with 500 or more different people and 28% with a thousand or more different partners. Over one-half of those surveyed also had 20 or more partners during the previous year. Since many of these contacts occur anonymously, it also makes disease tracking impossible.^{12, 14}

The sexual practices of male homosexuality consist primarily of oral-genital contact and anal intercourse. These practices are inherently dangerous because of the proclivity to produce occult and overt physical trauma, often spreading sexually transmitted disease. The rectum is particularly vulnerable to sexual trauma, where breaks in the protective membrane barrier facilitate blood exchange and, in turn, the transfer of infectious agents. Furthermore, certain male homosexual practices, such as "fisting," i.e. the insertion of the entire hand into the recipient's anal canal, are likely to cause more serious injuries. Surgery has been required for some rectal injuries cause by insertion of "sex toys," such as vibrators.

Infection rates for HIV are highest among homosexual men compared to intravenous drug users and heterosexual men and women, and may approach 50% in urban environments.³ HIV infection and AIDS is by far the leading cause for early mortality in this group. High-risk behaviors will continue to be associated with serious life-threatening consequences and significantly shortened life expectancies among gay and bisexual men.⁵

Homosexual men are also at increased risk for certain malignancies, including lymphoma and anal cancer.⁶ Research has shown that human papilloma virus (HPV) infection in gay men is primarily responsible for their high rate of anal cancer.⁷ The incidence of anal cancer among homosexual men now exceeds that of cervical cancer in women. Co-existent HIV infection increases the risk even more.

Lesbian women may have higher rates of breast cancer and cervical cancer.¹³

In addition to HIV and HPV, male homosexuality is a major risk factor for acquiring other STD's, including herpes, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Other serious infectious diseases which can be transmitted through anal intercourse are viral hepatitis (A, B and C), giardia, and cytomegalovirus. 

Studies have repeatedly shown that lesbians and gay men are at increased risk for mental health problems, including depression, substance abuse, and suicidal behavior, compared to heterosexuals.^{8, 9} The increased incidence of suicide among homosexuals may be partly responsible for the reduction in overall life expectancy. Homosexuals perpetrate child sex crimes at a rate many times their number in the population. Rates of battery among male and female homosexuals are several times that of married couples.^{10, 11}

All told, the physical and medical risks associated with homosexuality make it imperative that we discourage rather than encourage teens to start down a path towards this life-shortening behavior. This contradicts the medical dictum primum non nocere - first, do no harm -- and is sure to lead to more damaged teens rather than "safer schools."

Signed under the pains and penalties of perjury, August 16, 2000.
John R. Diggs, Jr. MD

1. Bell AP & Weinberg MS, Homosexualities: A Study of Diversity Among Men and Women. (New York: Simon & Schuster). 1978: p 308
2. Ward JW & Duchin JS. The epidemiology of HIV and AIDS in the United States. AIDS Clin Rev. 1997-98: p. 1-45.
3. Curran JW, Jaffe HW, Hardy AM, et al. Epidemiology of HIV infection and AIDS in the United States. Science 2/88: p 610-6
4. Odets W, in report to the American Association of Physicians for Human Rights, Cited in Goldman EL, "Psychological Factors Generate HIV Resurgence in Young Gay Men." Clinical Psychiatry News. 10/94, p. 5
5. Hogg RS, Strathdee SA, Craib KJ, et al. Modeling the impact of HIV disease on mortality in gay and bisexual men. Int J Epidemiology, 6/97: p. 657-61.
 6. Koblin BA, Hessol NA, Zauber AG, et al. Increased incidence of cancer among homosexual men, New York City and San Francisco 1978-1990. Am J Epidemiology 11/96, p. 916-23.
7. Palefsky JM, Holly EA, Ralston ML, et al. Anal squamous intraepithelial lesions in HIV-positive and HIV-negative homosexual and bisexual men: prevalence and risk factors. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Hum Retrovirol. 4/98: p. 320-6.
8. Fergusson DM, Horwood LJ, Beautrais AL. Is sexual orientation related to mental health problems and suicidality in young people? Arch Gen Psychiatry. 10/99: p. 876-80.
9. Herrell R, Goldberg J, True WR, et al. Sexual orientation and suicidality a co-twin study. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 10/99: p. 867-74.
10. Lettie L, Lockhart, et al. "Letting out the Secret: Violence in Lesbian Relationships," Journal of Interpersonal Violence 9 (December 1994): 469-492.
11. Gwat Yong Lie and Sabrina Gentlewarrier, "Intimate Violence in Lesbian Relationships: Discussion of Survey Findings and Practice Implications." Journal of Social Service Research 15 (1991): 41-59.
12. D. Island and P. Letellier, "Men Who Beat the Men Who Love Them: Battered Gay Men and Domestic Violence." (New York: Haworth Press, 1991), p. 14.
13. A.P. Bell and M.S. Weinberg, Homosexualities: A Study of Diversity Among Men and Women (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1978), pp. 308-309, see also A.P. Bell, M.S. Weinberg, and S.K. Hammersmith, Sexual Preference (Bloomington, Ind. Indiana University Press, 1981). 
14. Paul Van de Ven, et al., "A Comparative Demographic and Sexual Profile of Older Homosexually Active Men,"
Journal of Sex Research 34 (1997); 354.
15. Lesbian Health: Current Associations and Directions for the Future. (Institute of Medicine, 1999), pp 62-67.
16. (1) Mann, C. Genes and behavior. Science 264-1687 (1994).
17. Billings, P. and Beckwith J. Technology Review, July, 1993. p. 60. 
18. C. Mann, "Genes and Behavior," Science 264 (1994: 1687, Edward Stern, The Mismeasure of Desire: The science, Theory and Ethics of Sexual Orientation (New York: Oxford University Press, 1999)