NEW YORK – Just as a new poll showed Herman Cain moving into a tie for second place for the GOP presidential nomination, he sparked fury by saying that homosexuality is a choice.
The Washington Blade reported that during an appearance on ABC’s The View, when asked by host Joy Behar whether he believes being gay is a choice, Cain replied, “Yes.”
Cain continued, “Well, you show me the science that it’s not and I’ll be persuaded. Right now it’s my opinion against the opinions of others who feel differently. That’s just a difference of opinions.”
Calling on Cain to better educate himself on LGBT Americans, Human Rights Campaign (HRC) President Joe Solmonese said, “Herman Cain’s remarks that homosexuality is a choice are, frankly, jaw-dropping and certainly unbecoming of a presidential hopeful. Leading medical organizations, including the American Psychological Association, the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association, all speak with a loud and clear voice – implying that someone’s sexual orientation can be chosen or changed is dangerous.
Dr. Jack Drescher, a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a member of the DSM-5 Workgroup on Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders, is willing to meet with Cain to discuss the medical aspects of the matter.
Cain’s remarks are dangerous because implying that homosexuality is a choice gives unwarranted credence to roundly disproven practices such as ‘conversion’ or ‘reparative’ therapy, according to HRC.
Experts say the risks associated with attempts to consciously change one’s sexual orientation include depression, anxiety and self-destructive behavior.
