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Backers raise concerns about online postings. One advocated ridicule of nonconforming children; the other seemed to justify slavery.
By Stephanie Simon LA Times Staff Writer
October 15, 2006
The National Assn. for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality positions itself as a scientific group dedicated to helping gay men and lesbians shed same-sex attractions and realize their "heterosexual potential."
Its statements routinely outrage gay-rights activists. But two commentaries posted online in recent months by members of NARTH's scientific advisory committee have raised concerns among its closest allies as well.
One psychiatrist called for allowing schoolchildren to shame and ridicule classmates who don't act according to stereotypical gender roles. Another board member, a therapist, asserted that slaves may have been better off in chains than in "savage" Africa.
One of NARTH's scientific advisors has quit in protest, and a prominent therapist has canceled his presentation at the group's annual conference next month. Alan Chambers, who leads the nation's largest support group for "ex-gays," urged NARTH's members to "think long and hard about the mission of the organization."
At issue are comments by Canadian psychiatrist Joseph Berger and New York psychotherapist Gerald Schoenewolf.
In a blog on NARTH's website, Berger expressed disgust with a Northern California school that accommodated a cross-dressing kindergartner and other children with "gender-variant" behaviors. Berger said that instead of teaching tolerance, schools should "let the other children ridicule" boys and girls who don't conform.
"It is a mistake for various interfering, ignorant and biased busybodies to try to 'counsel' the other children into accepting the abnormal," Bergerwrote. "It is very healthy to be able to draw the line between what is healthy and what is sick."
Schoenewolf's essay on political correctness not only seemed to justify slavery, it also denounced the gay-rights movement as "mob rule." Using explicit language, Schoenewolf asserted that "the entire planet has now been forced to agree that [homosexuality] is normal."
"This puts a real spotlight on what we're dealing with…. This organization is incredibly reckless and irresponsible," said Wayne Besen, a gay-rights activist who founded a nonprofit, Truth Wins Out, to keep tabs on the ex-gay movement.
NARTH's premise that homosexuality is a disorder that can be overcome through therapy is routinely cited by activists pushing to get the "ex-gay" perspective into public schools. Besen said he hoped the controversies would slow that movement by discrediting the Encino-based organization — and its claim to take a scientific approach to homosexuality. "This is a group ofpeople with some very peculiar, if not dangerous, views," Besen said.
NARTH President Joseph Nicolosi acknowledged that some of the posted comments "were poorly phrased" but said he intended to keep Berger and Schoenewolf on the board.
Both of their commentaries have been removed from the NARTH website. Nicolosi said the group did not support public shaming of children; an official NARTH statement also expressed regret over Schoenewolf's remarks about slavery.
But those apologies have not quelled the controversy.
Therapist Warren Throckmorton, an associate professor of psychology at Grove City College in Pennsylvania, has long been concerned that NARTH overemphasizes poor parenting as the root of homosexuality. He's also uneasy that NARTH rejects even the possibility of a fulfilling life with a same-sex partner.
At the upcoming conference, Throckmorton had hoped to persuade NARTH therapists to adopt the approach he uses, which is to help patients find harmony between their sexual identity and their religious values. For some, that means trying to change their attraction to the same sex; for others, it means finding peace with a gay identity.
"Therapists should not impose their view of the outcome on clients," Throckmorton said.
Late last month, he canceled his presentation, telling NARTH that he feared he would not get "a scholarly consideration" of his approach.
The two groups that regularly stage conferences on "overcoming homosexuality" - Focus on the Family and Exodus International - have both affirmed their support for Nicolosi. But Chambers, the president of Exodus, made clear he disagreed sharply with how NARTH has handled the controversy.
Berger's advice that children with differences be ridiculed "wouldn't be something we would tolerate from someone who was part of our board," said Chambers, who recalls being teased for acting effeminate as a boy. "We have to be very careful about what we say and how we say it. Peoples' emotions, hearts and even lives are at stake."
20 Comments:
I am glad Chambers has spoken out. NARTH handled both incidences with callous and non-responsibility.
posted by Anonymous, at
10/15/2006 8:18 PM
You have got to be kidding. Chambers still is backing NARTH. If he had a shard of integrity he would never share a stage with Nicolosi again. In this case, Chambers talk is cheap.
posted by Anonymous, at
10/16/2006 2:30 AM
Yes, Chambers is a closet cock sucker and has lowbrow morals.
posted by Anonymous, at
10/16/2006 2:31 AM
I think they are all freaks and need to be stopped. When I came out of the closet in high school, all the other students made my life a living hell, But for these people who are grown adults should know better then to condone harrasement towards GLBT children. what kind of learning enviroment is that?
posted by Anonymous, at
10/16/2006 9:34 AM
Name calling is at best the worst anyone can do right now.
posted by Anonymous, at
10/16/2006 12:35 PM
NARTHS DAYS ARE NUMBERED! If Exodus and Love Won out continues to associate or stay on a plane that is destined for an ugly crash then they have no one to blame but themselves. The writing is on the wall. Chambers is at a cross roads he will need to choose TRUTH or NARTH .Seriously. He will either take a stand for what he really knows and believes in his heart or he will continue to sell out. These ministries are being purged. I'm thinking the Lord has had quite enough! It's Time to get real.Get back to the gospel...take all the legalism you teach and throw it out. Perhaps Grace and Love don't make as much money as fear and control. We hope you will choose today whom you will serve? Some of us actually think that God wants to open the church doors to the gays. Consider them like the gentiles whom Peter thought could not be saved. We all wonder if you will let them in and love them unconditionally and let God do the work not reparative therapists. PLEASE WAKE UP!...time is short. Get back to the gospel. Stop the head games and all the politics. For the love of God put down the cool aid and Get real.What a load off that will be for all of you. It must get tiring holding all those balls under water? Eventually one or all of them are going to pop up!
posted by Anonymous, at
10/16/2006 1:42 PM
Namecalling, shnamecalling, stop being an apologist for these mofos--do you know how many gay teens are either suicidal or already dead because of these fux!? Chambers was teased because he 'was an effeminate boy', well now he's an effeminate man and it's all the more reason he should know better and stop this cruel charade.
posted by Anonymous, at
10/16/2006 1:54 PM
I know - I've been there. But it just can't be good for anyone to indulge in the same hate and crap as someone else. Let's ride above the bad behavior and stand tall.
posted by Anonymous, at
10/16/2006 3:33 PM
It would be nice to think that NARTH is headed for oblivion thanks to the blatantly hare-brained stuff coming from them these days. It will not happen, because there exists an ineradicable need among some conservatives (mostly--but not entirely--religious) to believe that being gay is some kind of nasty habit--like picking your nose, say; and that it can be removed like a hangnail.
"Against stupidity, the very gods struggle in vain."
posted by Anonymous, at
10/16/2006 4:18 PM
And there will be a need to buttress the hate with a pseudo-scientific authority ==> NARTH
Sharon, can you explain? Do you mean hold up hate against Narth?
posted by Anonymous, at
10/16/2006 7:59 PM
NARTH...is the WEAKEST LINK..GOODBYE!...
posted by Anonymous, at
10/17/2006 2:00 AM
If Alan Chambers has any integrity at all left he will admit the truth and come out from under all of this CRAP.Be honest Alan you know very well a person can be Christian and gay...if they want to change good for them...have at it but do not throw the baby out with the bath water and expect it will work for everyone Stop the insanity and stand up . Be real..and stop being part of the problem and become a part of the solution. You know better. Lying is not a fruit of the spirit. But you are and you could be used much more powerfully by God than Dobson and the Machine.
posted by Anonymous, at
10/17/2006 2:09 AM
A scientist some years ago commenting online about Nicolosi said that the best way to counter charges of lack of scientific evidence - is to produce scientific evidence!
If I say that diabetes is caused by green Martian spiders, there is no reason anyone should take me seriously unless and until I can produce scientific evidence. If Nicolosi says he knows what makes people desire their own sex, and can change this, then WHERE is his scientific evidence? It DOESN`T EXIST.
So he should be completely disregarded until he produces some scientific evidence. Which will happen never. It`s sad that the disregarding bit isn`t entirely happening though. Not yet, anyway.....
posted by Anonymous, at
10/17/2006 4:07 PM
And what point would you be trying to make. The article goes on to say that "environmental factors include, family upbringing, exposure to certain hormones during pregnancy and having older brothers." Although I don't understand the "family upbringing" scenario, since I know many a gay man from ultra conservative households and many from ultra liberal households. Environmental factors are, seemingly, more pre natal environment than post birth.
posted by jekelhyde, at
10/18/2006 6:52 PM
"Environment" and "environmental factors" are misused and misunderstood terms. Wilson & Rahman point this out in their important book "Born Gay, The Psychobiology of Sex Orientation" (Peter Owen Press)
"Environment" includes the hormonal environment of the womb, before birth.
There is pretty good evidence now that the PRE-BIRTH environment is significant in affecting sexual orientation. There's no good scientific evidence that the environment AFTER BIRTH affects sexual orientation.
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