Views differ on gay conversion therapy

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

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Two letters

The June 7 article, ‘‘Gay conversion conference criticized,” created a he said⁄she said version of a so-called ‘‘conversion” therapy conference in Silver Spring last Saturday. While I appreciate being cited as a source in this story, I am not a mental health professional, nor is any other individual quoted.

Unfortunately, readers are never informed in the article that that the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, the American Counseling Association and every other mainstream medical and mental health professional organization have made it clear that ‘‘conversion” therapy may cause a great deal of psychological harm and distress to young people and their development.

In the words of the experts at the American Psychological Association: ‘‘For nearly three decades, it has been known that homosexuality is not a mental illness. Medical and mental health professionals also now know that sexual orientation is not a choice and cannot be altered. Groups who try to change the sexual orientation of people through so-called ‘conversion therapy’ are misguided and run the risk of causing a great deal of psychological harm to those they say they are trying to help.”

While both sides of this argument have feelings that run deep on this issue, those sentiments are not a replacement for the knowledge of experts.

Dan Furmansky, Silver Spring

The writer is executive director of Equality Maryland, a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization based in Silver Spring

Jim Kennedy’s phobic statements against the ex-gay community are proof of why the public school system must include former homosexuals in its sexual orientation and tolerance curriculum.

In the article, ‘‘Gay conversion conference criticized,” Mr. Kennedy, as president of Teach the Facts, states that the ex-gay community is a cruel hoax. The fact that he sits on the curriculum committee makes us question the school board’s judgment in appointing a biased and discriminatory group to draft school lessons on sexual orientation.

Contrary to Mr. Kennedy’s assertions that former homosexuals do not exist, the ex-gay community can attest to the fact that thousands of men and women with same sex attractions have made the personal decision to leave homosexuality.

Because people like Mr. Kennedy refuse to respect that decision, ex-gays are subject to an increasingly hostile environment where we are reviled simply because we dare to exist. This is exactly why the sex education curriculum must include ex-gays — to combat intolerance against people who are different from Mr. Kennedy.

Contempt of those who have resolved unwanted same sex attractions perpetuates misunderstanding and harm against the ex-gay community. It also demonstrates a disregard for diversity and a refusal to respect a basic human right to dignity and self-determination. Please remember that former homosexuals are also worthy of respect.

Regina Griggs, Fort Belvoir, Va.

The writer is executive director of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays.