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from Events/Announcements
NARTH Conference Gets Mixed And
Biased Press Coverage
By Mike Hatfield
November 2, 2007 - Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporter Aman Batheja's coverage of the NARTH Conference was nearly non-existent. Instead of actually covering the conference and interviewing NARTH professionals, Batheja chose instead to focus on the small number of gay protesters outside of the DFW Airport Marriott.
His report, "Debate over homosexuality sparks scandal and protests," rehashed claims by gay activists that reorientation therapy does not work and is harmful. If the reporter had listened to the speakers at the conference--particularly, keynote speaker Dr. Stanton Jones, who reported on a new study of people who have sought change--he would have learned that those gay-activist claims are in fact, not supported by the available science.
His sloppy reporting was challenged by Gary Davis, (Major, U.S. Army Retired). In a letter to the editor, Davis noted:
Subject: "Gay Activists Protest Irving NARTH Conference" in your Sunday, 28 OCT Issue
Dear Editor:
The hypocrisy is mind-boggling, yet predictable. I am referring to your article about the protests at the Annual Conference of the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) recently held in Irving.
The same people that demand universal acceptance and tolerance without reservation or question will not give that same acceptance and tolerance to former homosexuals or the organization that helps those former homosexuals.
The same people that want a "live and let live" attitude between the homosexual community and heterosexual community will not grant the same to happy, former homosexuals.
The same people that label NARTH (comprised mainly of degreed and practicing psychologists and psychiatrists) as promoting "quack science" (in helping homosexuals give up the lifestyles) promote "no science" personal opinions and anecdotes as their only "evidence" that homosexuality is an unchangeable, and possibly inherited condition. There is no conclusive scientific evidence proving outright that homosexuality is unchangeable and possibly has inherited cause.
The same people that bristle with anger that anybody would dare intimate that homosexuality might be linked to mental health issues routinely label anybody not totally agreeing with them with a slur that suggests that the person not in total agreement is possibly "not right in the mind." That routinely used slur would be "homophobic" - with the suffix "phobic" being defined as "an unnatural fear of."
The reason for all of this hypocrisy and aggressive talk by the gay community is simple - the existence of former homosexuals (and they are real) torpedoes the very foundation of their Tooth Fairy version of why they exist and why they cannot change themselves even if they wanted to change. It also torpedoes their notion that once one enters their doors and joins their clubhouse, that one can never voluntarily leave nor can one ever renounce membership.
Sincerely,
G. A. Davis
In a second article on the NARTH Conference, University of Texas reporter Emily Toman did a far more honest report. In contrast to Batheja, she actually interviewed NARTH Board member Arthur Goldberg and President-Elect A. Dean Byrd.
Mr. Goldberg told her: "We are a pro-choice organization. If you're unhappy being gay, we can help. If not, then that's fine, too." Dr. Byrd told her that a 2002 study showed that most people felt unharmed by reorientation therapy. He noted: "No therapist wants to provide treatment to harm someone."
A full report on the NARTH Conference will be available soon.
Updated: 13 March 2008
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