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Media Distortions
A newspaper column known as "Ask Beth" (in The Boston Globe) joins a long list of advice columns which continue to misinform the public on homosexuality.
In a column published last June, "Beth" advised readers of the following "facts." All of the following statements are wrong-- and all commonly claimed by gay activists:
- The American Psychiatric Association says it is "unethical" to help a client change their sexual orientation;
- "Although biological research is inconclusive, we know from listening to homosexuals from every walk of life, religion, class or nationality that homosexual orientation...is something people are born with."
- Homosexuality is not a lifestyle that you can choose or not choose."
- "People used to believe that it [homosexuality] was learned."
- "I have never received a letter from a teenager who was taught to be homosexual."
- "Who we attracted to and why, is a mystery."
- "...Unless your attractions are dependent on hurting or coercing someone, they are normal."
- "About 10% of the population is exclusively homosexual."
NARTH's Executive Director responded with a letter to "Beth", of which the following is an excerpt:
"Your sweeping, simplistic and politically correct statements on a very complex issue not only do a disservice to your readership, but also misrepresent scientific understanding...
"You state, 'No one has been successful in changing his or her basic orientation.' This again is a naive statement which dismisses the personal life experiences of many men and women.
"The idea that 10% of the population is homosexual is another falsehood. This is a statistical error made by Kinsey that used a sample population that included men in prison. The error has been repeated for thirty years by gay activists. In fact, a number of recent studies--which I enclose--have shown it to be between one-and-a-half to two percent.
"The misinformation promoted by your writings discourages individuals confused by their sexual feelings from exploring and discovering their heterosexual identity.
"I enclose references to support the statements in my letter.
"Because of the seriousness of your misinformation and the potentially damaging consequences, we ask you to offer a correction in your next column, and to send us a copy of it."
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Updated: 14 July 2002