Study: Gay Male Teenagers Use Steroids Six Times More Than Straight Peers

Boston's Fenway Institute, which provides health services to the LGBT community, has conducted a study on steroid use among gay teenagers. Via the Associated Press:

Gay and bisexual teen boys use illicit steroids at a rate almost six times higher than do straight kids, a "dramatic disparity" that points up a need to reach out to this group, researchers say. Reasons for the differences are unclear. The study authors said it's possible gay and bi boys feel more pressure to achieve a bulked-up "ideal" male physique, or that they think muscle-building steroids will help them fend off bullies. Overall, 21 percent of gay or bisexual boys said they had ever used steroids, versus 4 percent of straight boys. The difference was similar among those who reported moderate use — taking steroid pills or injections up to 40 times: 8 percent of gay or bi teens reported that amount, versus less than 2 percent of straight boys. The heaviest use — 40 or more times — was reported by 4 percent of gays or bi boys, compared with less than 1 percent of straight teens. The study is billed as the first to examine the problem; previous research has found similar disparities for other substance abuse.

The study has been published in Pediatrics, where you can read the abstract without a subscription.

Lance Armstrong Confesses

Today's New York Post

Armstrong did confess, according to the New York Post.

Lance Armstrong cemented his place in the pantheon of history’s most notorious liars yesterday, when he finally admitted to doping his way to seven Tour de France titles. The disgraced cycling superstar came clean about his years-long campaign of deception in an interview with Oprah Winfrey that was taped yesterday and will air Thursday night, sources said. Surrounded by 10 friends and advisers, the 41-year-old cancer survivor copped to cheating during an emotional interview with the talk-show doyenne in an Austin, Texas, hotel. The edited, 90-minute-long interview airs 9 p.m. Thursday on Winfrey’s network, OWN.

Lance Armstrong To Confess

Lance Armstrong Drops Doping Challenge

There go his seven Tour de France titles.

Only If He Has The Juice

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STEROIDS: Mark McGwire Admits What Everybody Already Knew

Five years after bobbing and weaving his way through Congressional hearings about steroid use in professional baseball, home run king Mark McGwire has finally 'fessed up.

“I’m sure people will wonder if I could have hit all those home runs had I never taken steroids,” McGwire’s statement read. “I had good years when I didn’t take any and I had bad years when I didn’t take any. I had good years when I took steroids and I had bad years when I took steroids. But no matter what, I shouldn’t have done it and for that I’m truly sorry.” McGwire’s statement confirmed what had widely assumed within baseball and what has damaged McGwire’s chances in the last four years of balloting for the Hall of Fame; in none of them, did he come anywhere near the number of votes he needed for induction.

Three years after McGwire broke Roger Maris' 37 year-old record, he was eclipsed by Barry Bonds, who also later admitted using steroids. The most hallowed record in American pro sports is forever sullied and meaningless.

The "J" Is For "Juiced"

Gotta say I'm a bit surprised to read that Mary J. Blige is named in this hip-hop steroids mess. And no mention of LL Cool J and his tree-trunk sized arms?

R&B music star Mary J. Blige, rap musicians 50 Cent, Timbaland and Wyclef Jean, and author and producer Tyler Perry may have received or used steroids, according to unidentified law enforcement officials involved in an Albany-based steroid investigation, the Times Union newspaper reported.

Obviously, allegations of steroid use will only add to the hype of any rapper, so no harm will come to their careers. As for that self-hating closet case Tyler Perry, I can only hope for the worst.