Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 10, 1991 TAG: 9103110287
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: D-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Two decades ago, the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from its list of disorders. It recognized that the reasons for its inclusion in the past had little to do with science and much to do with simple intolerance.
Subsequently, every major national organization of behavioral scientists and health professionals, including the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, the American Sociological Association, the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, and the National Association of Social Workers has made strong policy statements in support of tolerance and civil rights for gays and lesbians.
One can certainly find scattered individual health practitioners who advocate "curing homosexuals," but to our knowledge the only groups still making such claims are Christian fundamentalists. And there is no doubt that these groups have succeeded in "curing" some of their members of homosexuality. With sufficient authoritarian force, any human variation (including seemingly trivial doctrinal ones) can be suppressed.
Mr. Crutchfield suggested that gays and lesbians get treatment so that they can become "what they were meant to be." We believe that individuals are best left free to make such decisions. And we believe that community leaders have a responsibility to promote an atmosphere of tolerance and civility for all. MYER S. REED I.T. VAN PATTEN CLAUDIA JOHNSON DANIEL R. CLOW DEBORAH D. SMITH ROANOKE
Editor's note: This letter was signed by seven others.
by CNB