Posted on 07/21/2004 2:15:51 PM PDT by EdReform
July 16, 2004 - Dr. Warren Throckmorton, in association with Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays, distributed a paper on sexual orientation at the recent National Education Association (NEA) conference.
Dr. Throckmorton and associates Zoe Gutierrez, Jeralee Smith, and Chad Thompson, produced "A White Paper in Reaction to 'Just the Facts About Sexual Orientation and Youth,'" a document jointly published by the NEA and several mental health organizations, including the American Psychological Association.
In the introduction to this paper, Dr. Throckmorton states: "This white paper reviews the essential claims found in 'Just the Facts,' suggesting a need for caution in the presenting of dogmatic claims about sexual orientation to school children."
He notes four problematic areas in "Just the Facts":
- There's no consensus in current research to show that sexual orientation is fixed or inborn;
- there is credible research showing that sexual orientation can be changed;
- no credible research is available that shows that attempts to change sexual orientation are harmful;
- and the research on sexual orientation has become entangled with the issue of safety in schools for children who experience same-sex attractions.
"We favor both a zero tolerance policy toward harassment and the presentation of accurate information," said Throckmorton.
In the conclusion of this paper, the author says: "Without consensus [on the nature of sexual orientation], it becomes necessary to inform students of the varied opinions on the subject with ample opportunity for equal presentation. For instance, if a proponent of the essentialist position speaks to school students, we believe that someone who has found change in sexuality should be invited to present the constructionist/developmental viewpoint."
NARTH has also published a rebuttal to the "Just the Facts" paper. "NARTH's Response to 'Just the Facts about Sexual Orientation and Youth'" is available for downloading from the NARTH web site.
Copyright © NARTH. All Rights Reserved.
Updated: 19 July 2004
Exposed: The Myth That Psychiatry Has Proven That Homosexual Behavior Is Normal ..( see reply 65 )
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| Homosexual Agenda: Categorical Index of Links (Version 1.1) |
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| Myth and Reality about Homosexuality--Sexual Orientation Section, Guide to Family Issues" |
You are confusing the American Psychological Association with the American Psychiatric Association.
The former, cited in your post, are not medical doctors. The later are.
The summary in the above release wasn't exactly accurate. Here is what the report actually said:
1. There is no consensus in current research to show that sexual orientation is a fixed, inborn trait. We believe sexual attractions are the product of nature and nurture and that sexual identity is a flexible experience for many people.
2. There is a credible view of sexual orientation supported by research that allows for the possibility of sexual orientation change. We believe current evidence upports the observations of those who consider themselves former gays or former straights.
3. Research has not demonstrated that a deliberate attempt to modify sexual feelings is invariably harmful. Some people may feel harmed by such attempts while others may feel harmed by counselors and educators who tell them change is impossible. We believe that people are free moral agents who may choose to create a sexual identity that is consistent with their overall worldview.
4. The research on sexual orientation change has become entangled with the issue of safety in schools for students who are questioning or who experience same sex orientations. We believe that all students deserve respect and that learning cannot occur in an atmosphere of fear and hatred. We favor both a zero tolerance policy toward harassment and the presentation of accurate information.
Hardly surprising.
I guess they also discount several documented cases of people who have tried and failed at "ex-gay therapy" who have commited suicide. Nope, no harm in that.
Studies haven't shown homosexuality to be genetic or an innate trait, nor have they shown that it isn't.
Several prominent "ex-gays" including the founders of Exodus International have denounced ex-gay organizations and stated it's their belief that while some "ex-gays" may have changed their homosexual behavior, very few, if any, have actually changed their orientation.
The ex-gay movement is nothing more than power politics masquerading as a loving, Christian organization.
I heard a new term yesterday--LUG...Lesbian Until Graduation.
I have been told by a couple of gay guys I know about the LUG phenomenon.
The relationship between the American Psychological Association and American Psychiatric Association is quite similar - both have been greatly influenced by the infiltration of homosexual activists (see the information posted in reply 65 mentioned above).
Actually the summary short-changed the criticism outlined in the report. People can and do change, and that has been documented.
This outfit, as I recall, has also at times in the past taken the positions that:
1. Fathers in the home are generally not in the best interests of children because they "consume resources that could be devoted to the children" and
2. Sex between adults and children is not necessarily bad.
For an outfit like this to link up with the NEA is no surprise.
The most recent studies of identical twins suggest the genetic influence is significantly less than originally thought to be. Only 20% correlation between gay twins, which suggests the genetic influence is minor.
And the gay movement is not power politics. Oh puh_leeez.
I understand. You later link to The American Psychiatric Association. The two are not interchangable.
To me, it seems a bit pointless if not draconian even. Why must some refuse to admit that some people are very well adjusted being homosexual, and it's their nature to be that way.
Have you citation for that claim by the APA?
My statement that the ex-gay movement is political does not at all suggest that the gay rights movement is not. They both are.
Most studies on the subject that I've seen show a definite correlation, with identical twins having about a 50% probability of both being homosexual, whereas fraternal twins have a lower probability at roughly 20%, and ordinary siblings have only a 10% probability.
No.
I took a quick look at their web site but it didn't jump right out at me.
It was generally the kind of thing you only heard about on "talk radio".
Anecdotes do not equal data.
I was a member of the APA for a number of years, and while they are quite liberal, they did not endorse what you are claiming.
There is a lot of good work done by the mental health community. Unfortunately, one generally learns only about the crackpots, not the researchers.
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