Stephin Merritt: Gay Marriage and Teen Suicide Not Linked

Like maybe, as a gay man, you'd begin with its notions of sexuality?
Oh no, no, no, no. That wouldn't be in my top 1,000 objections.

I've noticed you try not to take a political stance. But with the recent publicity over gay suicides and the coming election, would you reconsider that?
Do you think there is a candidate who is more against teen suicide than another candidate?

I'm talking about gay rights.
Uh, what about them? Do we know that there's any correlation between gay marriage and teen suicide?

Fair enough. But many wonder if gay marriage were accepted, that could be more of an impetus for people to accept same-sex relationships.
Why speculate? There either is or there isn't [a correlation]. It shouldn't be all that hard to find out because teen suicide is, fortunately, actually rare.

Well, scientifically he may have a point. But we'll take that as a "girl-don't-even-go-there" in terms of asking him to lend his voice to more political endeavors.

Photo: Gavin Bond