Don’t pretend that homosexuality is a disorder to justify bigotry

Tue, Jun 26. 2012

Editor: This is in response to a letter published on Friday, June 22, 2012, titled “Homosexuality – a Catholic perspective” by Salt, who for some reason does not want to use his/her real name. I find that much of the homophobic rhetoric to be emotionally driven, without a need or want to come to a reasonable conclusion, based on widely accepted facts from respected academic institutions.{{more}} I also believe that a serious dialogue is facilitated when we use our real names and it is fact driven. Homophobia curtails gay and lesbian Vincentians from being open, but the homophobic view shouldn’t have a reason to veil.

Salt referred to a study commissioned by the American Bishops (Catholic) who concluded that less than 4% of priests were involved in abusing children and that “the harm done was immeasurable”. How does one measure the physical and emotional trauma that a single child has experienced at the hands of a pedophile? For you to define this as “immeasurable” is quite disturbing and ignorant, not only for a single child, but for the thousands of children that have been victimized and have had their lives shattered. It’s disrespectful and quite shameful.

Salt also referred to NARTH (founded in 1992), the National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality, as support for the belief that homosexuality is a disorder and treatable. NARTH is a non-profit organization that offers reparative therapy to change sexual orientation. In 2011, NARTH was removed from the California Board for Behavioral Sciences’ list of groups that provide continuing education credits to therapists. I tend to get my information from the experts and NARTH’s view is opposed by the World’s major health organizations which state that homosexuality is not a disorder and therefore not treatable. This includes the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the American Psychological Association, the American Counseling Association, et al. Homosexuality was first removed from the APA’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) in 1973 and removed entirely in 1986. No major health organization has concluded that sexual orientation can be changed. In fact, the APA and the Royal College of Psychiatrists “expressed concerns that the positions espoused by NARTH are not supported by science and create an environment in which prejudice and discrimination can flourish”.

There is another organization, Exodus International, like NARTH, who also believes that homosexuality is a disorder and espouses change through reparative therapy. In 1995, John Paulk was elected CEO of Exodus International for a 3-year term. Paulk appeared on the cover of Newsweek in 1998 with his wife, promoting freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus Christ. He published an autobiography in 2000 titled “Not Afraid to Change”, where he mentioned his own attempts to change his same sex desires. Later that year, Paulk, while on a speaking tour, was found at Mr P’s, a gay bar in Washington, D.C. He at first denied that he was at the bar, but after photographs of him were published showing him exiting the bar, he said he didn’t know it was a gay bar and only stopped in to use the restroom.

Eyewitnesses reported that he was in the bar for more than an hour and he was “flirting” with other men.

Salt also stated “that all of psychiatry recognizes the need for parents of both sexes for proper development of gender identity in children”. This is false. In fact, the APA’s research shows that sexual identities, including gender identity, gender-role behaviour, and sexual orientation develop in the same ways among children of lesbian mothers. The APA also states “the results of research suggest that the development, adjustment, and well-being of children with lesbian and gay parents do not differ markedly from that of children with heterosexual parents”. Also the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) supports legislative and legal efforts for adoption of children by both same sex parents. The AAP states, “Denying legal parent status through adoption to co-parents or second parents prevents these children from enjoying the psychologic and legal security that comes from having two willing, capable, and loving parents”.

Salt also stated “ it is well known that many heterosexual individuals experience same sex attraction during adolescence, which, if dealt with appropriately, in most cases resolves.” I am curious to know if Salt experienced same sex attractions as an adolescent and what were the appropriate measures used to treat this attraction and did it work?

So, please let’s not pretend that homosexuality is a disorder to justify bigotry, which is fuelled by obtuseness.

Knowledge that doesn’t take us far from ourselves is far worse than ignorance.

Sean Macleish