But "Unequal Opportunity," a book written by pro-gay researchers, reveals that men who have sex with men are three times more likely than heterosexual men to have been sexually abused as children. The research points to 17 studies over 15 years.

Jeff Johnston, gender analyst at Focus on the Family, said children are not equipped to handle adult sexuality.

"When sexual behavior is imposed on a child by an older or more powerful person, that's sexual abuse," he said. "Sexual abuse derails a boy's growing sense of masculinity and identity."

The Rev. Bob Perdue of Virginia was sexually and emotionally abused as a child.  
 
"There's nobody that you feel safe processing with," he said, "so you just process it inside yourself and come to your own conclusions."

Perdue said he struggled with confusion about his sexuality and gender identity, and tried to mask his pain with religious performance. After a suicide attempt, he found a ministry that helps those struggling with relational and sexual problems.

"For the very first time," he said, "I walked into a room of people where I felt safe to share what was going on inside of me."

Perdue has subsequently walked in freedom from the besetting hold that homosexuality and the experiences of his childhood sexual abuse had over him.   

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Read "Childhood Sexual Abuse and Male Homosexuality."

- Roger Greer of citizenlink.com