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Attacks by gay rights groups and presidential candidates against President Bush's nominee for surgeon general prompted a national ex-gay group to draw attention to the ex-gay community that is "routinely ridiculed."
"Gay activists lobby to be included in tolerance policies, hate crimes and employment non-discrimination legislation, but work hard to deny ex-gays the right to the same treatment,” said Regina Griggs, executive director of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays (PFOX), in a statement. “This demonstrates how far the gay rights movement has moved from self-described victims to proactive perpetrators.”
Major gay and lesbian groups, including the Human Rights Campaign, are urging the rejection of Dr. James W. Holsinger Jr. as America's chief health educator over furor surrounding a paper Holsinger wrote 16 years ago on human anatomy and homosexuality.
The paper – "The Pathophysiology of Male Homosexuality" – was written as part of a debate within the United Methodist Church over the issue of homosexuality and presented in January 1991. It suggested that gay sex is unnatural and unhealthy.
Gay rights groups allege that Holsinger has anti-gay beliefs and have also pointed to his church, Hope Springs United Methodist Church in Lexington, Ky., where he serves as administrative pastor, for helping homosexuals change.
"Americans need to face the growing issue of bigotry perpetrated upon ex-gays and their supporters. Gay activists cannot claim sympathy as victims when they attack ex-gays for political purposes of their own,” said Griggs. “Tolerance is not a one-way street."
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Arguing that ex-gays are the victims of ridicule and disapproval, PFOX called for the need to ensure the safety, inclusion and respect of former homosexuals in "all realms of society, but especially by the medical and mental health communities starting at the highest levels.”
Last month, the House of Delegates of the American Academy of Physician Assistants passed a resolution that ultimately does not oppose all types of therapy, including ex-gay therapy, and would allow physician assistants – the nation's primary care providers – to help persons who want to resolve their unwanted homosexual desires.
"As a medical doctor, it seems Dr. Holsinger is aware that contrary to distortions by gay activists, no professional medical or mental health associations deny the right of any individual to seek support in resolving unwanted same-sex attractions.” Griggs said. “Indeed, these associations adhere to a code of ethics which call for their members to support the client’s right of self-determination.”
Moreover, Holsinger's pastor, the Rev. David Calhoun, assured that the nominee would not turn anybody down. "Fears that he would not be fair or compassionate in distributing health care to gay and lesbian individuals is totally unfounded and ludicrous," he said.
Just as homosexuals are demanding fair health care distribution, Griggs urged the same for ex-gays.
"All individuals with unwanted same-sex attractions deserve the right to self-determination and happiness based on their own needs, and not the political inconvenience of others.”
