Loudoun Easterner
March 23, 2005
In response to Mr. Goze’s letter in the Easterner and recent behavior at board meetings, I would like to educate him on a few things as he is comparing apples to oranges. According to the APA (American Psychological Association) “mental health professionals agree that homosexuality is not an illness, mental disorder or an emotional problem. Over 35 years of objective, well-designed scientific research has shown that homosexuality, in and of itself, is not associated with mental disorders or emotional or social problems.”
Also according to the APA, “Another myth about homosexuality is the mistaken belief that gay men have more of a tendency than heterosexual men to sexually molest children.” The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM III-R), which is published by the American Psychological Association can supply a proper definition of pedophilia (DSM, V.3, 1987). In a study using a random sample of child sex offenders, the date shows that the majority of pedophiles report having adult sexual orientation. The sexual attraction towards children is a sickness and unrelated to sexual orientation (A. Groth – 1978, Archives of Sexual Behavior 7(3): 175-181 and E. Revitch – 1962, Diseases of the Nervous System 23: 73-78). The gay community I know condemns any act of hurting a child and would instantly turn in any such person.
And finally the APA states, “In reality, the risk of exposure to HIV is related to a person’s behavior, not their sexual orientation. What’s important to remember about HIV/AIDS is it is a preventable disease through the use of safe sex practices and by not doing drugs.” Statistically, in studies of sexual behavior in homosexuals and heterosexuals, the researchers found that gay men had a higher percentage of lifetime partners and fewer partners overall, the average being 4.2 partners. In a parallel study, a random sample of straight men, the average number of sexual partners was 7.3 (J. Billy – 1993: Family Planning Perspectives 25: 52-60 and R. Fay – 1989, Science 243: 338-348). In addition, research does show that gay men use condoms more often and more consistently than straight people do, according to the National Library of Medicine.
Mr. Goze needs to stop spouting inaccuracies and wake up to the facts.
Robin Posey-Blue
Potomac Falls
Diagnosing ‘mental disorders’ is NOT an exact science. That’s what makes it dangerous sometimes. I worked with ‘autistic’ kids in a hospital setting, and the ‘Psychiatrist’ had intense psychotropic ordered for ‘acting out behaviors.’ WBR LeoP