Will launching in second gear hurt the trans?

For all you transmission experts....will launching my car in second gear hurt the transmission, or will it just build a little more heat? This is on a small block 727, 8" converter.

Thanks
What is your rear gear ratio? Think of all of the racers that use Powerglides. Two speeds. Their low gear ratios are in the 1.70 - 1.90 to 1 range. What is the 2nd gear ratio in your 727? 1.50 or so??? Not much higher than the low gear of a Powerglide, correct? So if you have a low gear ratio rear end such as a 4.56 or 4.88 or higher, you have in reality the same overall low gear ratio of someone running a Powerglide with a 4.11 or 4.30 rear gear. You can do the mathmatics running all of the exact numbers. Your rear tire size can alter all of these numbers also, which I'm sure you're aware of. I am no transmission or converter builder, but a few of my friends and I have tried leaving in 2nd or high gear when necessary due to varying problems, but no one that I know of has had any transmission related or converter related problems after doing so. I think that it is harder to dial your car in when racing it this way, as it seems your ET all depends on how the converter reacts to the launch. It is still consistent, but not quite as consistent as when leaving in low and shifting into 2nd. But it is a much better way to race than to spin. I have seen racers win races incorporating these methods instead of losing every round or breaking something. I've done it myself numerous times. But some people are scared to try something different or, God forbid, run slower!!! But to me, it's all about turning on the WIN light.