This is a splinter group of medical professionals
who do not support the mainstream view of the American Academy of
Pediatricians that homosexuality is a normal aspect of human
diversity.
Focus on the Family
A conservative Christian organization,
which conducts seminars nationally to involve fundamentalists in the
political process and to influence education professionals. This
group sponsors one-day conferences called “Love Won Out”
which present their widely discredited opinion that: a) “reparative
therapy” is an opportunity “for those who wish to escape
(homosexuality)”, and b) homosexuality is a morally wrong and
dangerous behavior choice.
Jews Offering New Alternatives to Homosexuality
(JONAH)
According to their website, JONAH is the only Jewish
based organization dedicated to assisting individuals with "unwanted
same sex" (my quotes) attractions move from “gay” to “straight.”
It uses the same arguments as the Christian groups in its opposition
to homosexuality.
Liberty Counsel
Florida based group, led by Matthew Staver, which
filed suit in federal court to stop same-sex marriage after the
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Council ruling in 2004, and filed
suit against the San Francisco mayor’s right to issue marriage
licenses to same-sex couples. Staver is considered to be “top
legal counsel” by Jerry Falwell. The three main objectives of
Liberty Counsel are: 1) advancing “religious freedom”, 2) defending
“traditional values”, and 3) defending the “right to life”
National Association for Research and Therapy for
Homosexuality (NARTH)
NARTH (founded in 1992) is a trade organisation which
exists to promote reparative therapy (a practice which has been
declared unethical by all of the major mental health and medical
professional associations). It has strong ties to the ex-gay
movement and has developed deeply flawed and questionable “research”
about the “causes” and life-expectancy consequences of
homosexuality. NARTH considers “Same-Sex Attraction Disorder” to be
curable, and contends that it is caused by bad childhood experiences
and poor parenting.
Parents & Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays, (PFOX)
PFOX is a top-down organization run by a small
office funded by a single source. Public records show that in 2003,
PFOX had an income of $33,000 from a single donor. The same records
shows that Richard Cohen is one of its Board Members. Cohen has
been permanently banned from membership of the American Counseling
Association for unethical practices. PFOX is believed to be
a front for the Family Research Council. PFOX sponsors billboards,
and subway and media advertisments which push the discredited notion
that homosexuality is a choice which can be corrected through so
called reparative therapy. Reparative therapy has been declared
unethical by all of the major medical and mental health professional
associations.
Positive Alternatives to Homosexuality (PATH)
PATH's website states, "PATH is a non-profit
coalition of organizations that help people with unwanted same-sex
attractions (SSA) realize their personal goals for change -- whether
by developing their innate heterosexual potential or by embracing a
lifestyle as a single, non-sexually active man or woman." On PATH's
website you will find links to many Radicla Right organizations who
have in common the fact that they all want to "save" homosexuals
through reparative therapy.
