Sexual orientation conversion therapies affirmed By Paula R. Kincaid The Layman Online Tuesday, June 22, 1999 FORT WORTH – The National and Social Issues committee of the General Assembly has answered three overtures on sexual orientation conversion therapies with one statement: "The existing policy of inclusiveness welcomes all into membership of the Presbyterian Church (USA) as we confess our sin and our need for repentance and God's grace. In order to be consistent with this policy, no church should insist that gay and lesbian people need therapy to change to a heterosexual orientation, nor should it inhibit or discourage those individuals who are unhappy with or confused about their sexual orientation from seeking therapy they believe would be helpful." That language had been suggested by the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) as a response to all three overtures. Committee member Kathleen LaRocque, who has a gay son, said "my son is not a candidate for change therapy. I don't want him to change, [but] there are people who will benefit from proper, voluntary therapy ... so I would hate to see these [therapies] thrown out and so would my son." She said that the advice of ACSWP was a "good compromise." "I certainly do not support forcing anyone into therapy, but I also believe the therapy should be available," said committee member John White. "Both [Overtures] 34 and 56 are based on the rationale that says sexual orientation cannot be changed, but neither is there scientific evidence that water can be changed into wine ... God is sovereign and God can do all things." The vote was 47 for the statement, eight against and one abstention. |
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