Posted on 08/15/2004 10:57:24 PM PDT by scripter
Homosexuals and lesbians charge that laws seeking to ban same-sex "marriage" and adoption are discriminatory, but they are themselves responsible for their exclusion from marriage and family, according to an Australian medical ethics campaigner.
"By its very nature, homosexuality has excluded itself," Dr. David van Gend told a national marriage forum in Canberra this week. "It has stepped outside the circle of life -- the timeless, endless natural circle of male and female, parent and offspring."
Lesbians and homosexuals could, however, "rejoin the circle of life," he said, pointing to "the growing number of ex-gays."
Van Gend, a physician in eastern Australia who also campaigns against euthanasia and embryonic stem cell research, was addressing a forum at the federal parliament complex, organized by pro-family groups.
At the same event, Prime Minister John Howard challenged his political opponents to support swift passage of a bill banning same-sex marriage, to prevent it from getting bogged down in a forthcoming election campaign. The main opposition party has agreed, strengthening the chances of a ban being passed within the next fortnight.
Howard, who described marriage as "a fundamental, bedrock institution of our society which has contributed massively to our stability," received standing ovations.
He denied that the ban was discriminatory, arguing that there was a difference between tolerance and endorsement.
Campaigners for same-sex marriage rights in Australia have sought to characterize their community as a persecuted minority, using expressions like "apartheid" and recalling discrimination against the indigenous Aborigines.
At a rally in Sydney last week, leading homosexual activist Rodney Croome tried to draw a parallel between government policies relating to Aborigines, and later to illegal refugees, to homosexuals today.
"Pink is the new black," he declared.
Croome has also described organizations like the Australian Family Association, which organized the marriage forum, as "hate groups."
In his presentation to the gathering, van Gend tackled the "discrimination" claim.
"The political success of gay activism has been due to portraying gays as a persecuted quasi-racial minority group -- like blacks or Jews -- and thereby touching a sensitive spot in a guilty Western conscience," he said.
"Yet the racial analogy is false, since blacks cannot stop being black, but gays can stop being gay."
Challenging the view that "gays are born that way," van Gend cited the American Psychiatric Association's assessment that "there are no replicated scientific studies supporting any specific biological etiology for homosexuality."
"The origins of homosexuality are likely to be a very complex interaction of nature and nurture, genetic vulnerabilities and cultural influences," he argued. "But whatever its origins, the outcome of homosexuality is best understood as a very complex state of confusion over sexual identity."
Van Gend pointed to studies indicating that while this confusion was experienced by a proportion of teenagers, that proportion diminished as years passed.
"he National Health and Social Life survey across the USA in 1994, the biggest and best study available, found that eight percent of 16-year-olds thought they were gay - but, significantly, that by age 18 only four percent still thought they were gay, and by age 25, only two percent still thought they were gay.
"What that means is that most sexual confusion in school children clears away if left to itself. It doesn't need therapy or counseling. It is a passing phase ..."
Because of this, he said, it was important that students' sexual confusion was not entrenched by "gay-affirming curricula" or "gay pride" clubs at schools.
Van Gend said that for the sake of homosexuals wanting to change, "the clinical truth must be made known - that it is possible, given determination, patience, and skilled help, for them to leave behind their unwanted same-sex attraction."
Then they, too, would be able to "become biologically marriageable, and reclaim their rightful place in the great circle of life as male and female -- married, with children of their own."
"By its very nature, homosexuality has excluded itself," Dr. David van GendLesbians and homosexuals could, however, "rejoin the circle of life," he said, pointing to "the growing number of ex-gays."
"Yet the racial analogy is false, since blacks cannot stop being black, but gays can stop being gay."
"there are no replicated scientific studies supporting any specific biological etiology for homosexuality."
"But whatever its origins, the outcome of homosexuality is best understood as a very complex state of confusion over sexual identity."
"What that means is that most sexual confusion in school children clears away if left to itself. It doesn't need therapy or counseling. It is a passing phase ..."
Because of this, he said, it was important that students' sexual confusion was not entrenched by "gay-affirming curricula" or "gay pride" clubs at schools.
Van Gend said that for the sake of homosexuals wanting to change, "the clinical truth must be made known - that it is possible, given determination, patience, and skilled help, for them to leave behind their unwanted same-sex attraction."
Ping
Lesbians are homosexuals - next Teresa will be an African lesbian homosexual American.
DKK
And then like thousands of others have, Teresa can leave the homosexual lifestyle!
Welcome to the Brave, New, Homo World...all gay all the time.
It sure seems that way! I can't help but point out the growing number of ex-homosexuals - I believe that is key to changing the minds of the fence sitters.
Patrick Goodenough?? Is that a real name? Or is it a faux name poking fun at Al Franken. "Darn it, I'm good enough"
It's not about orientation, it's about perversion. So let'em do whatever animal acts they want, but in their home. There's a reason a majority of Americans prefer homos to not defile marriage (and stay in the closet).
I had the same thought - yet there are quite a few folks with that name...
But...but... the homosexual sodomites say blacks are just like them. They're the same thing.
That means the homosexuals are using the plight of the blacks for their own selfish gains, correct?
Oh well. They both vote democrat, so I guess it's ok. Blacks don't seem to mind being considered homosexual - types, otherwise, they'd say so.
In their home, away from kids, away from kid shows, away from schools, etc.
Finally my good friend, Common Sense, has join the homosexual debate.
And after all that work they've put in to indoctrinating other peoples children to increase their numbers , too.
Homosexuality is soooo '90's. The homosexual fad is soooo yesterday.
A racist? HUH?
Another example of the intolerance of the left.
He does hit the key point well. That is, homosexuals can leave the lifestyle and we don't need homosexuality (behaviour) encouraged in our children.
Well actually, I was pointing out that there is nothing stopping homosexuals from getting married. They simply have to marry someone of the opposite sex. I just hate that they whine and complain about not being able to get married and it is a non-issue.
But, but, but homosexuals can't reproduce in homosexual relationships...
Indeed there is nothing stopping homosexuals from marrying... somebody from the opposite sex. And as I keep pointing out what the author drove home quite well, homosexuals can leave the lifestyle. Stressing this fact is one of the key reasons why I've been involved with this topic for years.
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