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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