Michigan faces public health nightmare

According to a recent study conducted by the American Public Health Association, gays and lesbian who live in intolerant states (ahem, such as Michigan), are more prone to depression.

Researchers report that gay people who live in states prohibiting legal recognition for same-sex couples are:

• 248.2% more likely to experience general anxiety than those in states without such bans.
• 41.9% more likely to suffer from alcoholism.
• 36.6% more likely to have a mood disorder
• 36.3% more likely to have psychiatric comorbidity, or simultaneous presence of two disorders.

How’s that for a public health nightmare … especially in a state struggling to do even the most basic statewide budget management (hint, hint)?

In contrast, the researchers noted these policies lacked any affect on heterosexuals in these areas.