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from Gay Activism in the Schools
NEA Cautioned Not to Accept
American Psychological Association's
"Just the Facts"
July 16, 2004 - Dr. Warren Throckmorton
distributed a paper on sexual orientation at the recent National Education
Association (NEA) conference.
Dr. Throckmorton and associates Noe Gutierrez, Jeralee Smith, and Chad Thompson,
produced "Respect and the Facts: A Response to 'Just the Facts About Sexual
Orientation and Youth,'". "Just the Facts" was produced by the NEA and several
mental health groups.
In the introduction to this paper, Dr. Throckmorton states: "This white paper
reviews the essential claims found in 'Just the Facts,' suggesting a need for
caution in the presenting of dogmatic claims about sexual orientation to school
children."
He notes four problematic areas in "Just the Facts": There's no consensus in
current research to show that sexual orientation is fixed or inborn; there is
credible research showing that sexual orientation can be changed; no credible
research is available that shows that attempts to change sexual orientation are
harmful; and the research on sexual orientation has become entangled with the
issue of safety in schools for children who experience same-sex attractions. "We
favor both a zero tolerance policy toward harassment and the presentation of
accurate information," said Throckmorton.
In the conclusion of this paper, the author says: "Without consensus [on the
nature of sexual orientation], it becomes necessary to inform students of the
varied opinions on the subject with ample opportunity for equal presentation.
For instance, if a proponent of the essentialist position speaks to school
students, we believe that someone who has found change in sexuality should be
invited to present the constructionist/developmental viewpoint."
NARTH has also published a rebuttal to the "Just the Facts" paper. "NARTH's
Response to 'Just the Facts about Sexual Orientation and Youth'" is available for
downloading from the NARTH web site. NARTH's "Gay Activism In The Schools" provides
additional materials on the gay agenda in our nation's public schools.
Updated: 8 February 2008
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