From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Wall Street Journal Socarides Response Date: Sat, 11 Jan 1997 23:16:14 -0500 (EST) The following went out on IWG letterhead listing 3 congregations, 5 religious organizations and 36 clergy from 12 faiths and denominations. If you are in the general Philadelphia area and represent a congregation or religious organization or are clergy, let us know if you want to be added - all faiths are welcome. We will also be happy to help start similar organizations in other areas. January 10, 1997 Wall Street Journal 200 Liberty St. New York, NY 10281 Dear Editors: Charles Socarides et al say that gays who want to be straight have been done a disservice by doctors who have not told them that they can be cured. Socarides and his cohorts call homosexuality a "disorder" and list "symptoms", and also mention the existence of organizations whose mission is to "cure" gays without mentioning that such organizations are usually religious, not medical, in nature. For over twenty years, medical authorities have rejected the notion that homosexuality is a psychiatric disorder. It is not gays who are sick, but a society continuing to marginalize and victimize sexual minorities. Is it a wonder that gays find it difficult in this culture? It is also difficult to be a religious minority; should psychiatrists then be in the business of "curing" Jews and Buddhists? The margin- alization and victimization of gays occurs chiefly through organizations with religious motivations, which is at least somewhat understandable; when so- called medical professionals promote antiquated social theories it is extremely disturbing. As recently as earlier this century, women were institutionalized for so-called psychotic behavior, including sex outside of marriage, not wanting to marry or have children, wanting to work in male-dominated professions, or wanting to work at all. These behaviors were not coincidentally also frowned upon by conservative religious groups. Thankfully, most mental health professionals today would not institutionalize women with these "symptoms," despite the fact that conservative religious groups still frown on this behavior. The authors say homosexual sex is dangerous, but the danger inherent in any sexual practice is unrelated to the participants' genders. Instead of trying to frighten people into heterosexuality, they should support comprehensive sex education. Reputable doctors do not recommend repression and denial. It is no surprise that some people want to change, with the law stacked against sexual minorities. Socarides appeals to our sense of individual freedom, suggesting that society should encourage everyone to marry someone of the opposite sex if they want. This support is nonexistent for people in same-gender rela- tionships, who may not marry and in most states can be legally fired without cause. Until recently there wasn't organized religious opposition to the religious conservatives. Now more and more denominations, congregations and individual clergy are embracing the doctrine of equal moral standing for gay and straight relationships. We no longer try to cure children of left- handedness or give a woman a hysterectomy for wanting to work outside of the home. The American Medical Association no longer considers homosexuality a psychiatric disorder. We pray for the day when doctors still clinging to the past will be a remote memory. Sincerely, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators -- Interfaith Working Group Religious organizations, congregations iwg@libertynet.org and clergy supporting gay rights, http://www.libertynet.org/~iwg/ reproductive freedom, and the 215-235-3050 separation of church and state.