As executive director of the National Association of Research and Therapy of Homosexuality, I would like to clarify NARTH's purpose.
NARTH takes the position that homosexuality is a developmental disorder that is in many cases treatable. We defend the right of our clients to explore the developmental foundations of their attractions, to work toward diminishing them, and to explore their heterosexual potential with a therapist's assistance. In recent years, this right has been threatened.
The American's editorial staff was criticized for accepting an advertisement for NARTH's annual conference. However, NARTH's position that homosexuality is a treatable developmental disorder is still the opinion of a good number of highly reputable and distinguished clinicians, and is therefore well within the bounds of fair discourse.
It's time we moved this discussion beyond name-calling (“bigoted,” “virulently antigay,” “homophobic”) and into the realm of a fair debate. NARTH's view does not imply the rejection of a person, any more than a professional opinion about any other psychological condition would constitute “hatred” or “bigotry” toward patients with that condition.
NARTH officers have been asked to provide psychological testimony in court cases involving homosexuality. However, as expert witnesses, we do not advocate a particular legal outcome.
We take this opportunity to emphasize that NARTH welcomes scientific discourse. In recent correspondence with Ralph Roughton, chairman of the Committee on Issues of Homosexuality, we requested that a panel be offered at The American to freely debate issues of homosexuality, for the benefit of the general membership.
Professional dialogue has been aborted by character assault and name-calling since the 1973 decision, and it is time we reopened the debate on fair terms, in an open forum.
We invite TAP readers to order copies of past issues of our bulletin. They can be obtained for $3 each, postpaid, by writing to me at 16542 Ventura Blvd., Suite 416, Encino, CA 91436. We review books, interview clinicians, reprint relevant articles from many sources, and discuss sociological and psychological issues that other publications are reluctant to address. By reading our publication, The American's members can decide for themselves whether or not we are fair-minded and reasonable.
Joseph Nicolosi