‘Ex-gay’ symposium canceled

[canis_lupus]

A controversial symposium that was supposed to look at the relationship between religion and homosexuality has been canceled.

The symposium, put together by some American Psychiatric Association members, caused consternation among some psychiatrists and gays, who argued that holding a dialogue with hostile figures would legitimize homophobic views. The forum was titled “Homosexuality and Therapy: the Religious Dimension” and was supposed to take place Monday in Washington.

Warren Throckmorton, a counselor known for helping patients in efforts to alter homosexual behavior, was slated to speak at the event. The Grove City, Pa.,-based counselor said he was disappointed that the forum was no longer scheduled.

On his blog, Throckmorton writes that he was told that organizers did not cancel the event because gay activists were unhappy with it.

(snip)

Wayne Besen, executive director of TruthWinsOut.org, an organization geared toward countering “ex-gay” organizations, called the cancellation of the symposium “welcome news” in a statement on his blog. “It gave the wrong impression that the American Psychiatric Association endorsed 'ex-gay' therapy, when, in fact, the organization soundly rejects such therapies,” he said.

http://www.nyblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=18060

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Good to hear. That sort of thinking needs to go the way of

blood-letting and other medieval "medicine".

[davidinalameda]

2. there goes my weekend!

[ccharles000]

3. The whole Ex-gay thing

is disgusting.

[Hugabear]

4. There is no such thing as "ex-gay"

It's ludicrous. You can't "choose" not to be gay any more than you suddenly "choose" to be gay. Sure, these dumbasses can decide to go back into the closet, and live a lie - but that doesn't change who they are inside. Any person who claims that they used to be gay, but is now straight (usually attributable to religion) is a fucking liar.

Not only are they doing a disservice to themselves, but they're further pushing the idea that being gay is a condition that needs to be fixed. If they want to suppress their homosexuality and live a lie, that's their own business. But to go around telling other gays and lesbians, many of whom are still in the process of coming to terms with their sexuality, that they can be "cured" of their condition is just WRONG.

[Warpy]

5. Considering the number of high profile "ex gay" people

who have since been outed as raging hypocrites who might be married and have produced children but who have continued to express their real sexuality in a deeply closeted way, I wonder that the APA thought any dialogue was necessary.

Our sexuality is something we can't change. We can mask it and use another person whose life is made miserable as part of the disguise, but we are who we are, gay or straight or any of the other variations.

The only thing the APA needed to do is point out the obvious: you can't choose to be what you are not, no matter how much you love Jesus.

[ccharles000]

6. everyone should watch this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZeHd4fumwI

He is not for real it is comedy.

[mitchtv]

7. canceled, lack of interest

among professionals