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Psychiatrists: Let’s Talk about Homosexuality
Psychiatric group will host ‘historic’ symposium on faith and therapy
by Tom Hess, editor
citizenlink@family.org
Two social conservatives will share the stage with two pro-homosexual speakers in a notable attempt at a “balanced discussion” sponsored by the American Psychiatric Association (APA).
The pro-homosexual speakers — Bishop Gene Robinson, an openly homosexual Episcopalian in New Hampshire, and Dr. David Scasta, past president of the Association of Gay and Lesbian Psychiatrists — will seek “common ground and new perspectives” with two conservatives: the Rev. Albert Mohler, president of South Baptist Theological Seminary and a member of the Focus on the Family board of directors; and Dr. Warren Throckmorton, associate professor of psychology at Grove City College.
“The symposium acknowledges the role of religious belief as a core variable in the development of sexual identity,” Throckmorton told CitizenLink. “To my knowledge, this meeting, distinguished by diversity of religious viewpoints, is unprecedented at APA.”
The symposium is scheduled for 2 to 5 p.m. EDT, on Monday, May 5, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
The APA has been vocal about homosexuality for decades. It decided in 1973 that homosexuality is not a diagnosable mental disorder, and in 1998 it discouraged some forms of therapy for homosexuals.
“The American Psychiatric Association opposes any psychiatric treatment, such as ‘reparative’ or ‘conversion’ therapy, which is based upon the assumption that homosexuality per se is a mental disorder, or based upon the a priori assumption that the patient should change his/ her homosexual orientation," the group said.
Love Won Out, a ministry of Focus on the Family that equips churches to respond to homosexuality in a Christlike way and offers hope and healing to those who struggle with unwanted same-sex attraction, says it shares some common ground with the APA.
“We concur with the American Psychological Association’s position that homosexuality is likely developmental in nature and caused by a ‘complex interaction of environmental, cognitive and biological factors,’ ” according to the Love Won Out Web site. “We would also agree with the American Psychiatric Association when it states ‘some people believe that sexual orientation is innate and fixed; however, sexual orientation develops across a person’s lifetime.’”
Love Won Out says it does not attempt to “fix” gays and lesbians, a charge heard often from its critics in the APA.
“Such glib characterizations ignore the complex series of factors that can lead to same-sex attractions,” according to the Web site. “They also mischaracterize our mission. We exist to help men and women dissatisfied with living homosexually understand that same-sex attractions can be overcome. It is not easy, but it is possible, as evidenced by the thousands of men and women who have walked this difficult road successfully.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Visit the Love Won Out Web site for information on upcoming conferences.
