Growing Up Gay in 2013: Joe Schwartz, the teen in "Oddly Normal"

Xeni Jardin — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 20:53:25 +0000

My friend John Schwartz at the New York Times wrote "Oddly Normal," a wonderful book about how he and his wife Jeanne worked through challenges to learn how best to support their son Joe, who is gay.

In the Atlantic today, Alice Dreger interviews Joe, who is now 17 years old, "to expand on some of the themes explored in the book and answer some questions raised by people who have commented on it."

Joe is a really interesting person, and the interview is terrific. Go have a read.

(Photo: John and Joe, shot by Ethan Hill for the NYT)

"Pre-gaming" leads to riskier behavior and more alcohol consumption, groundbreaking study finds

Xeni Jardin — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 15:20:27 +0000

A Swiss study has found that "pre-drinking," "pre-funking," "pre-gaming"—basically, the ritual among college-age young adults of drinking before you go out to drink, leads to "excessive consumption and adverse consequences."

Pre-gaming didn't have a name when I was their age; it's interesting how the phenomenon (is it even a phenomenon?) has become a media meme this year. This NYT story is another example.

I realize the newly-released study provides citeable evidence about a behavior with dangerous consequences, but the results are kind of like, yo, thanks, Captain Obvious.

"Increased drinking was associated with a greater likelihood of blackouts, hangovers, absences from work or school or alcohol poisoning. Pre-drinkers were also found to engage more often in unintended drug use, unsafe sex, drunken driving or violent behavior."

Sounds about right. More in the LA Times.

Boing Boing » young adults

Growing Up Gay in 2013: Joe Schwartz, the teen in "Oddly Normal"

"Pre-gaming" leads to riskier behavior and more alcohol consumption, groundbreaking study finds