BHA: Homosexuality is not a problem to be ‘cured’ – conversion Church conference reaches London
A touring conference programme titled 'The Lepers Amongst Us: Homosexuality and the Life of the Church' is due to go ahead in London today despite condemnation from community groups where the conference has been previously held, and criticism from professional organisations declaring conversion or reparative ‘therapies’, which seek to ‘cure’ gay people, as harmful.
Commenting on the event, which is being organised by the American-based Core Issues Trust, the British Humanist Association (BHA) Head of Public Affairs Naomi Phillips said:
‘The Core Issues Trust state they wish to work with those who ‘seek to change from a “gay” lifestyle to a gender-affirming one’, however the suggestion that homosexuality is a problem in need of a ‘cure’ is deeply insulting to lesbian, gay and bisexual people, profoundly objectionable, and wrong.
‘Specious claims that someone’s sexual orientation can be changed through religion or therapy lack any credible basis, and conversion therapy can prove extremely harmful, especially where vulnerable individuals are being targeted. These kinds of biblically-inspired attempts to change sexual orientation have been repeatedly denounced by the UK Council for Psychotherapy, the British Medical Association, and the Royal College of Psychiatrists.’
The BHA has previously commented on reports that a Christian registered psychotherapist used ‘Sexual Orientation Change Efforts’ to try to ‘convert’ a gay man to being heterosexual.
Notes
For further comment or information contact Naomi Phillips at naomi@humanism.org.uk or 07540 257101.
Read the UK Council for Psychotherapy’s statement on reparative therapy http://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/reparative_therapy.html
Read a letter from local community groups in Northern Ireland condemning the conference http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/letters/homophobic-conference-should-be-condemned-16106248.html
The British Humanist Association is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. It promotes a secular state and equal treatment in law and policy of everyone, regardless of religion or belief.————-
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