Ex-Gay Quarrel over Ridicule

One of the silliest of the world’s many homophobic organisations may have gone too far even for their own supporters. From an article in the Los Angeles Times:

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 realise 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 organisation.”

When I read about this kind of hatred fuelled by Christianity, I often turn to Christ himself. The strange thing to me is that these homophobic idiots never seem to read the same Bible as I. So to comfort myself I read a prayer from Luke 23: 34—”Jesus said, ’Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’”—and then I forgive them.