Why Narth - The American Psychiatric Association's Destructive and Blind Pursuit of Political Correctness Homosexuality: Truth Be Told 14 Regent University Law Review 2001-2002

14 Regent U. L. Rev. 423 (2001-2002)
Why Narth - The American Psychiatric Association's Destructive and Blind Pursuit of Political Correctness

handle is hein.journals/regulr14 and id is 431 raw text is: WHY NARTH? THE AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC
ASSOCIATION'S DESTRUCTIVE AND BLIND PURSUIT
OF POLITICAL CORRECTNESS
Benjamin Kaufman*
I. INTRODUCTION
Why is the National Association for Research and Therapy of
Homosexuality (NARTH) necessary? One might as well ask why are
defense attorneys necessary? Should the accused simply trust that the
police, prosecutors, judges, and juries have their best interests at heart?
Of course not. When innocent persons are accused of acting in an
unethical manner, threatened with the loss of professional prestige, or
denied employment because of their professional opinions, they have, at
the very least, the right to mount a defense. When people are
discriminated against on the basis of their religious beliefs or denied
help that they believe is in their best interests, they need an advocate to
defend their rights.
NARTH came into existence in response to threats to take away the
right of patients to choose therapy to eliminate or lessen same-sex
attraction.1 NARTH defends the right of therapists to provide such
treatment and provides a forum for the dissemination of research on
homosexuality.2 Concerned that professional organizations and
publications in the mental health field have fallen under the control of
those who would use them to forward social constructionist theories,
political agendas, and advocacy research, NARTH has fought for a
return to established theoretical approaches, solid research, therapy
that puts the patient first, and freedom to discuss, debate, and disagree.
In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association (APA), in response to
nasty disruptions at its 1970 and 1971 conferences and intense behind-
* Dr. Benjamin Kaufman is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at The University of
California School of Medicine. He has a clinical practice of psychiatry and psychoanalysis.
Dr. Kaufman is certified by Board of Neurology and Psychiatry, as well as certified in the
practice of psychoanalysis by The American Psychoanalytic Association. Currently, Dr.
Kaufman serves on the Mind Institute Board of The University of California and The
Board of Directors of The University Organ Transplant Program. He has served as a past
president of The Sierra Sacramento Valley Medical Society. Dr. Kaufman is a founding
officer of NARTH, and now serves as Chairman of The Board of NARTH.
I See NARTH's Purpose, National Association for Research and Therapy of
Homosexuality, at http://www.narth.conmenus/statement.html (last visited Feb. 18,
2002).
2 See What NARTH Offers, National Association for Research and Therapy of
Homosexuality, at http://www.narth.commenus/goals.html (last visited Feb. 18, 2002).

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