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from Press Releases
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
October 8, 2004
For more information, contact:
Dr. A. Dean Byrd, 818.789.4440
Email: nationalarth@yahoo.com
NARTH Urges AMA To Correct
Misinformation On Homosexuality
In Medical Encyclopedia
Encino, California --
Dr. Joseph Nicolosi, president of the National Association for Research and
Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) has called upon Dr. John Nelson, president of
the American Medical Association, to correct misinformation about homosexuality
in the AMA's Complete Medical Encyclopedia.
Dr. Nicolosi sent a letter of concern to Dr. Nelson in April, 2004 after
learning that a section in the AMA's encyclopedia on homosexuality was filled
with factual errors. "Dr. Nelson responded in May of this year, but failed to
address the key points in my letter of concern," said Dr. Nicolosi. "We have
since crafted a second letter and sent it to him early this week. We are hopeful
that Dr. Nelson will now take our concerns seriously."
The AMA's encyclopedia recycles many of the misinformation circulated in the
popular media, including the claim that 10% of the population is homosexual;
that homosexuality is a fixed identity; and that efforts to change sexual
orientation are rarely successful.
"These claims have been disproven by reputable social scientists for more than a
decade," said Nicolosi. "There is little reason why the AMA should continue to
perpetuate such unscientific claims in a medical encyclopedia. The AMA should be
publishing factual information about the above issues -- as well as clarifying
the higher level of psychological problems associated with homosexual behavior,
and the serious illnesses that stem from the practice of anal intercourse."
"We urge Dr. Nelson to make every effort to correct the grave factual mistakes
in the AMA's Complete Medical Encyclopedia. Failure to do so would threaten the
credibility of the AMA as a scientific organization," said Nicolosi.
NARTH has published the exchange between Dr. Nicolosi and Dr. Nelson on our web
site: "NARTH Urges AMA To Correct Misinformation In Encyclopedia" (PDF).
Dr. Nicolosi and Scientific Advisory Board member Dr. Dean Byrd are available
for interviews.
The National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality was founded in 1992 and is composed of psychiatrists, psychoanalytically informed psychologists, certified social workers, and other behavioral scientists, as well as laymen in fields such as law, religion, and education.
NARTH, 16633 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 1340, Encino, CA 91436-1801
Phone: 818.789.4440
Fax: 818.789.6452
Updated: 9 April 2008
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