A report on the health risks of homosexual behavior and psychological dynamics of same-sex attraction.
A large body of scientific evidence suggests that homosexual marriage is a defective counterfeit of traditional marriage and that it poses a clear and present danger to the health of the community. The political and social goals of homosexual activists include:
* Acceptance of homosexual partnerships on an equal footing with heterosexual marriages (this would extend to insurance benefits, family leave, adoption, etc.)--i.e. a redefinition of family.
Special "minority class" status for homosexuals and bisexuals.
Repeal of all laws concerning private consensual adult sexual behavior (e.g. sodomy) and elimination of all consent laws, including those involving age of consent for minors.
* Requiring "anti-homophobia training" in law enforcement, education, health care, etc.
* Forcing schools to teach acceptance of homosexuality and to set up "support services" for homosexuals.
Permitting and encouraging homosexuals to take roles as counselors in education, scouting, churches, youth groups, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, etc.
* However, homosexuality is neither normal nor benign. Rather, it is a lethal behavioral addiction. The defining features of male homosexuality consist of a variety of dangerous behaviors, including extreme promiscuity, a higher incidence of pedophilia and sexual abuse, and same-gender sex.
The average gay man has over 50 lifetime partners, while as many as 83% reported having over 50 partners in their lifetime. By contrast, average sex partners per year for all adult Americans is 1; the average American claims 4 lifetime sexual partners. While 83% of heterosexuals are monogamous, only 2% of homosexuals claim to be monogamous.
Child molestation and pedophilia occur far more commonly among homosexuals than among heterosexuals on a per capita basis. Since 98-99% of the population is heterosexual, it is technically correct to say that most molestations are done by heterosexuals. However, homosexuals comprise only a small percentage (1 to 2%) of the population, yet account for about one-third of the total number of child sex offenses.
Three kinds of scientific evidence point to the proportion of homosexual molestation:
1) survey reports of molestation in the general population,
2) surveys of those caught and convicted of molestation, and
3) what homosexuals themselves have reported. These three lines of evidence suggest that the 1%-to-3% of adults who practice homosexuality account for between a fifth and a third of all child molestation. Studies have indicated that 60% or more of practicing homosexuals first encountered homosexuality as young people who were approached by an older, often adult, homosexual; 73% admitted having sex with boys.
Sex among homosexual males typically includes: oral and anal sex; rimming (mouth-to anus contact); fisting (insertion of the hand and arm into the rectum); golden showers (urination); insertion of objects such as bottles, flashlights, and even gerbils into the rectum; sadomasochism (beatings with whips, chains, etc.); and other practices. The Gay Report, one of the largest surveys ever conducted of homosexual sex practices, by two homosexual researchers, reported that 99% engaged in oral sex; 91% had anal intercourse; 83% engaged in rimming; 22% had done fisting; 23% admitted to participating in golden showers; 76% admitted to public or group sex; 73% admitted having sex with boys; and 4% admitted to eating feces.
There are lethal medical consequences of engaging in these defining features of male homosexual behavior. These various behaviors cause trauma to the rectum; contribute to the spread of AIDS; increase incidences of oral and anal cancer; and result in serious infections due to the ingestion of fecal matter. Anal intercourse tears the rectal lining of the receptive partner, regardless of whether a condom is worn, and the subsequent contact with fecal matter leads to a host of diseases. Other diseases to which active homosexuals are vulnerable can be classified as follows:
Classical sexually transmitted diseases (gonorrhea, infections with Chlamydia trachomatis, syphilis, herpes simplex infections, genital warts, pubic lice, scabies); enteric diseases (infections with Shigella species, Campylobacter jejuni, Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, ["gay bowel disease"], Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and cytomegalovirus); trauma (related to and/or resulting in fecal incontinence, hemorroids, anal fissure, foreign bodies lodged in the rectum, rectosigmoid tears, allergic proctitis, penile edema, chemical sinusitis, inhaled nitrite burns, and sexual assault of the male patient); and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Increased morbidity and mortality is an unavoidable result of male-with-male sex--not to mention the increased rates of alcoholism, drug abuse, depression, suicide and other maladies that so often accompany a homosexual lifestyle.
A 1998 study suggested that a homosexual lifestyle, on the average, shortens one's lifespan by roughly 20 years. It is more deadly than smoking, alcoholism, or drug addiction. This is tragic, when it is known that homosexuality can be prevented, in many cases, or substantially healed in adulthood when there is sufficient motivation and help.
Society has a vested interest in prohibiting behavior that endangers the health or safety of the community. Because of this, homosexual liaisons have historically been forbidden by law.
Homosexuals contend that their relationships are the equivalent of marriage between a man and woman. They demand that society dignify and approve of their partnerships by giving them legal status as 'marriages.' They further argue that homosexuals should be allowed to become foster parents or adopt children.
The best scientific evidence suggests that putting society's stamp of approval on homosexual partnerships would harm society in general and homosexuals in particular, the very individuals some contend would be helped. A large body of scientific evidence suggests that homosexual marriage is a defective counterfeit of traditional marriage and that it poses a clear and present danger to the health of the community. Traditional marriage improves the health of its participants, has the lowest rate of domestic violence, prolongs life, and is the best context in which to raise children. Homosexual coupling undermines its participants' health, has the highest rate of domestic violence, shortens life, and is a poor environment in which to raise children.
Christians have a moral obligation to fight the homosexual agenda and protect the institution of marriage.
The CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH recently published a statement, "CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING PROPOSALS TO GIVE LEGAL RECOGNITION TO UNIONS BETWEEN HOMOSEXUAL PERSONS." According to this statement,
"Those who would move from tolerance to the legitimization of specific rights for cohabiting homosexual persons need to be reminded that the approval or legalization of evil is something far different from the toleration of evil. In those situations where homosexual unions have been legally recognized or have been given the legal status and rights belonging to marriage, clear and emphatic opposition is a duty..."
"...The principles of respect and non-discrimination cannot be invoked to support legal recognition of homosexual unions. Differentiating between persons or refusing social recognition or benefits is unacceptable only when it is contrary to justice. The denial of the social and legal status of marriage to forms of cohabitation that are not and cannot be marital is not opposed to justice; on the contrary, justice requires it."
"...When legislation in favor of the recognition of homosexual unions is proposed for the first time in a legislative assembly, the Catholic law-maker has a moral duty to express his opposition clearly and publicly and to vote against it. To vote in favor of a law so harmful to the common good is gravely immoral."
"...Legal recognition of homosexual unions or placing them on the same level as marriage would mean not only the approval of deviant behaviour, with the consequence of making it a model in present-day society, but would also obscure basic values which belong to the common inheritance of humanity."
In HOMOSEXUALITY AND HOPE: STATEMENT OF THE CATHOLIC MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, SAME-SEX ATTRACTION AS A SYMPTOM notes,
Individuals experience same-sex attractions for different reasons. While there are similarities in the patterns of development, each individual has a unique, personal history. In the histories of persons who experience same-sex attraction, one frequently finds one or more of the following:
In some cases, same-sex attraction or activity occurs in a patient with other psychological diagnosis, such as:
In a few cases, homosexual behavior appears later in life as a response to a trauma such as abortion, (Berger 1994; de Beauvoir 1953) or profound loneliness (Fitzgibbons 1999).
Same-sex attraction is preventable
If the emotional and developmental needs of each child are properly met by both family and peers, the development of same-sex attraction is very unlikely. Children need affection, praise and acceptance by each parent, by siblings and by peers. Such social and family situations, however, are not always easily established and the needs of children are not always readily identifiable. Some parents may be struggling with their own trials and be unable to provide the attention and support their children require. Sometimes parents work very hard but the particular personality of the child makes support and nurture more difficult. Some parents see incipient signs, seek professional assistance and advice, and are given inadequate, and in some cases, erroneous advice.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV (APA 1994) of the American Psychiatric Association has defined Gender Identity Disorder (GID) in children as a strong, persistent cross gender identification, a discomfort with one's own sex, and a preference for cross sex roles in play or in fantasies. Some researchers (Friedman 1988, Phillips, 1992) have identified another less pronounced syndrome in boys -- chronic feelings of unmasculinity. These boys, while not engaging in any cross sex play or fantasies, feel profoundly inadequate in their masculinity and have an almost phobic reaction to rough and tumble play in early childhood often accompanied by a strong dislike of team sports. Several studies have shown that children with Gender Identity Disorder and boys with chronic juvenile unmasculinity are at-risk for same-sex attraction in adolescence. (Newman 1976; Zucker 1995; Harry 1989)
Early identification (Hadden 1967) and proper professional intervention, if supported by parents, can often overcome the gender identity disorder. (Rekers 1974; Newman 1976) Unfortunately, many parents who report these concerns to their pediatricians are told not to worry about them. In some cases the symptoms and parental concerns may appear to lessen when the child enters the second or third grade, but unless adequately dealt with, the symptoms may reappear at puberty as intense, same-sex attraction. This attraction appears to be the result of a failure to identify positively with one's own sex.
It is important that those involved in child care and education become aware of the signs of gender identity disorder and chronic juvenile unmasculinity and have access the resources available to find appropriate help for these children. (Bradley 1998; Brown 1963; Acosta 1975) Once convinced that same-sex attraction is not a genetically determined disorder, one is able to hope for prevention and a therapeutic model to greatly mitigate, if not eliminate, same-sex attractions.
At-risk, not predestined
While a number of studies have shown that children who have been sexually abused, children exhibiting the symptoms of GID, and boys with chronic juvenile unmasculinity are at risk for same-sex attractions in adolescence and adulthood, it is important to note that a significant percentage of these children do not become homosexually active as adults. (Green 1985; Bradley 1998)
For some, negative childhood experiences are overcome by later positive interactions. Some make a conscious decision to turn away from temptation. The presence and the power of God's grace, while not always measurable, cannot be discounted as a factor in helping an at-risk individual turn away from same-sex attraction. The labeling of an adolescent, or worse a child, as unchangeably "homosexual" does the individual a grave disservice. Such adolescents or children can, with appropriate, positive intervention, be given proper guidance to deal with early emotional traumas.
Those promoting the idea that sexual orientation is immutable frequently quote from a published discussion between Dr. C.C. Tripp and Dr. Lawrence Hatterer in which Dr. Tripp stated: "... there is not a single recorded instance of a change in homosexual orientation which has been validated by outside judges or testing. Kinsey wasn't able to find one. And neither Dr. Pomeroy nor I have been able to find such a patient. We would be happy to have one from Dr. Hatterer." (Tripp & Hatterer 1971) They fail to reference Dr. Hatterer response:
"I have 'cured' many homosexuals, Dr. Tripp. Dr. Pomeroy or any other researcher may examine my work because it is all documented on 10 years of tape recordings. Many of these 'cured' (I prefer to use the word 'changed') patients have married, had families and live happy lives. It is a destructive myth that 'once a homosexual, always a homosexual." It has made and will make millions more committed homosexuals. What is more, not only have I but many other reputable psychiatrists (Dr. Samuel B. Hadden, Dr. Lionel Ovesey, Dr. Charles Socarides, Dr. Harold Lief, Dr. Irving Bieber, and others) have reported their successful treatments of the treatable homosexual." (Tripp & Hatterer 1971)
A number of therapists have written extensively on the positive results of therapy for same-sex attraction. Tripp chose to ignore the large body of literature on treatment and surveys of therapists. Reviews of treatment for unwanted same-sex attractions show that it is as successful as treatment for similar psychological problems: about 30% experience a freedom from symptoms and another 30% experience improvement. (Bieber 1962; Clippinger 1974; Fine 1987; Kaye 1967; MacIntosh 1994; Marmor 1965; Nicolosi 1998; Rogers 1976; Satinover 1996; Throckmorton; West )
Reports from individual therapists have been equally positive. (Barnhouse 1977; Bergler 1962; Bieber 1979; Cappon 1960; Caprio 1954; Ellis 1956; Hadden 1958; Hadden 1967b; Hadfield 1958; Hatterer 1970; Kronemeyer 1989) This is only a representative sampling of the therapists who report successful results in the treatment of persons experiencing same-sex attraction.
There are also numerous autobiographical reports from men and women who once believed themselves to be unchangeably bound by same-sex attractions and behaviors. Many of these men and women (Exodus 1990-2000) now describe themselves as free of same-sex attraction, fantasy, and behavior. Most of these individuals found freedom through participation in religion based support groups, although some also had recourse to therapists. Unfortunately, a number of influential persons and professional groups ignore this evidence (APA 1997; Herek 1991) and there seems to be a concerted effort on the part of "homosexual apologists" to deny the effectiveness of treatment of same-sex attraction or claim that such treatment is harmful. Barnhouse expressed wonderment at these efforts: "The distortion of reality inherent in the denials by homosexual apologists that the condition is curable is so immense that one wonders what motivates it." (Barnhouse 1977)
Robert Spitzer, M.D., the renowned Columbia University psychiatric researcher, who was directly involved in the 1973 decision to remove homosexuality from the American Psychiatric Association's list of mental disorders, has recently become involved with research the possibility of change. Dr. Spitzer stated in an interview: "I am convinced that many people have made substantial changes toward becoming heterosexual...I think that's news... I came to this study skeptical. I now claim that these changes can be sustained." (NARTH 2000).
Read this article on the Catholic Citizens of Illinois website. Reprinted with permission.