I have to note my horror at the news that a conference in London organised by the Anglican Mainstream Organisation was aimed at informing delegates about ‘curing’ gay men and lesbians. I've heard from several Green party colleagues and others who attended a demo outside the event - one of them sent this photo.Apparently American psychologist Dr Joseph Nicolosi claims he has helped many people to become heterosexual. But as reported in the news the Royal College of Psychiatrists said there was no supporting evidence and such treatment could be damaging. The Church of England at least has said it did not promote such therapies. The Royal College said the American Psychiatric Association had concluded there was no scientific evidence that homosexuality was a disorder and removed it from its diagnostic glossary of mental disorders in 1973. The World Health Organisation's International Classification of Diseases followed suit in 1992.
I can't believe it took that long - anyhow there is an international day to commemorate that decision by WHO - IDAHO - the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia - I am at present approaching the District Council re flying the flag on 17th May - hopefully news in a blog very soon.
Here is the quote I gave re this: "There is no sound scientific evidence that sexual orientation can be changed. This misguided group are trying to take us back to the dark ages. So-called treatments of homosexuality often allow prejudice and discrimination to flourish and indeed can be deeply damaging."
See South West Green party comments:
http://swlgbtgreens.blogspot.com/2009/04/being-lgbt-is-not-disease.html
Lesley Hedges, spokesperson for the Green Party’s LGBTIQ group at: http://www.ukgaynews.org.uk/Archive/09/Apr/2401.htm
3 comments:
If it is possible for a person to be uncomfortable with the sex of their body and to seek help to have it surgically altered, then is it not also possible for a person to be uncomfortable with their sexuality and to seek help to have it psychologically altered?
Yes but this isn't about counselling or helping people in an unbiased way...
Hamas seem to think it's a very bad thing, they persecute gays and call them perverts etc - they even have slanging matches with Fatah, along the lines of "you're gay, you are" etc.
Might be worth emailing them. Or not.
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