Mac McCann on Texas Republicans and Homosexuality Conversion Therapy

In its 2014 party platform, the Texas Republican
Party condemns homosexuality as “a chosen behavior that is contrary
to the fundamental unchanging truths that have been ordained by God
in the Bible, recognized by our nation’s founders, and shared by
the majority of Texans.” It stresses that being gay “must not be
presented as an acceptable alternative lifestyle” in public policy
and embraces reparative therapy, a controversial practice (also
referred to as conversion therapy) aimed at helping homosexuals
embrace their “authentic” heterosexual identity. 

But while homosexuality may not be “an acceptable alternative
lifestyle” to Texas Republicans, the idea that it’s an illness or
disorder is almost universally dismissed by health organizations.
Reparative therapy has also been widely dismissed by
psychological professionals. Texas native Mac McCann argues that
the state GOP’s stance on these issues is an anti-science
embarrassment. It also runs contra to the ideals of our nation’s
Founders. 

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