NGLTF Responds To Flawed Spitzer Study On So-Called Reparative Therapy
May 2001 - Tim McFeeley, Political Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, issued the following statement in response to a study scheduled for release at the annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association in New Orleans. The study suggests that in some cases, "highly motivated gay people" can change their sexual orientation.
"The so-called 'study' conducted by Robert Spitzer is snake oil packaged as science. Of the 200 people interviewed by Spitzer, 43 percent were referred to him by ex-gay ministries. Another 23 percent were referred to him by the anti-gay National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH). To say the very least, the data is tainted and biased.
"Indeed, a look at Spitzer's own comments reveal his bias on the topic. Spitzer opposes same-sex marriage, opposes the right of gay and lesbian people to adopt children, opposes the right of gay and lesbian people to serve in the military and believes that homosexuality 'is not a normal condition.'
"A visit to NARTH's web site turns up 16 different mentions of Spitzer, including a press release trumpeting Spitzer's so-called 'study,' which NARTH mysteriously received in advance.
"The religious right political movement is losing their war on gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. This pseudoscience lacks credibility. The general public and virtually every legitimate medical group has come to know that sexual orientation is not a disease that can be 'cured' by reparative therapy - or by religious extremism."
To read the report Calculated Compassion, please visit www.ngltf.org/library. It was published by NGLTF, Political Research Associates, and Equal Partners in Faith in 1998. The report documents the links between the ex-gay movement and the religious right's retooled assault on gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.
Founded in 1973, NGLTF works to eliminate prejudice, violence and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people at the local, state and national level. As part of a broader social justice movement for freedom, justice and equality, NGLTF is creating a world that respects and celebrates the diversity of human expression and identity where all people may fully participate in society.
National Gay And Lesbian Task Force
