APA Discredits 'Ex-Gay' Movement
(New Orleans, Louisiana) The American Psychological Association on Friday
issued a stinging rebuke of the so-called ex-gay movement following a
demonstration by members of several organizations that claim homosexuality
is a choice that can be cured.
A small group representing the National Association of Research and
Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) and Exodus International demonstrated in
front of the APA convention in New Orleans Friday.
"While the APA continues to play politics with social issues unrelated to
its mission, thousands of current and potential patients are being
harmed," said Alan Chambers, president of Exodus International, a national
'ex-gay' organization.
"We represent those across the country who struggle with unwanted same-sex
attraction, desire the help of skilled professionals and are instead,
being discriminated against because their personal beliefs do not align
with that of the APA."
In 1974, the American Psychological Association ceased listing
homosexuality as a mental disorder.
The protestors demanded that the APA change its current position.
Immediately after the protest the APA issued a statement reaffirming its stand.
"For over three decades the consensus of the mental health community has
been that homosexuality is not an illness and therefore not in need of a
cure," the statement said.
"The APA's concern about the positions espoused by NARTH and so-called
conversion therapy is that they are not supported by the science. There is
simply no sufficiently scientifically sound evidence that sexual
orientation can be changed. Our further concern is that the positions
espoused by NARTH and Focus on the Family create an environment in which
prejudice and discrimination can flourish."
The APA statement was hailed by a group fighting the 'ex-gay' movement and
'conversion therapy'.
"Truth Wins Out applauds the APA for taking a strong stand against quack
science and not buckling to a transparent PR campaign designed to
politically pressure the APA into abandoning reputable and respectable
research," said TWO's Executive Director Wayne Besen.
"Conversion therapy is a contrived 'cure' that is nothing more than
Scripture cloaked as science and religion masquerading as research."
Some of the organizations advocating 'conversion therapy' use methods that
include exorcisms, repossessing a client's Calvin Klein underwear because
it is deemed "too gay," taking Prozac and drinking Gatorade in an effort
to make men more masculine, according to Truth Wins Out.
--
Pax Christi,
Ninure Saunders aka Rainbow Christian
Jesus is my Shepherd and He knows I'm Gay
http://Ninure-Saunders.tk
My Blog
http://Ninure.tk
Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches
http://www.MCCchurch.org
The Bible Site - help provide free scripture
http://www.thebiblesite.org
To send e-mail, remove your hat