Oklahoman's
For Equality Responds to Senator Coburn's Chief of Staff's Comment
|
|
|
September 25th, 2009
Oklahomans
for Equality is outraged at the remarks of Michael Schwartz chief of staff
for Oklahoma U.S. Senator Tom Coburn. On Tuesday September 22nd
Channel 6 ran this report:
http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=11177503
Schwartz said "It's not genetic. Homosexuality is inflicted
on people," He further suggested that pornography makes
homosexuals and that homosexuals can be healed and converted from
their homosexuality. A joint statement endorsed by all the major health and
mental health professions states: "Reparative therapy... is based on an
understanding of homosexuality that has been rejected........we have all taken the
position that homosexuality is not a mental disorder and thus there is no need
for a 'cure'."
Nancy McDonald
president of PFLAG of Tulsa states
"It is unfortunate that Senator Coburn's Aide would be so uninformed to
make such statements that impact my family. We should all be concerned about
our children, and vigilant against anything that would harm them. However, Schwartz
should be educated on the evidence showing reparative therapy to be harmful to
development."
Schwartz
further suggests that it is a "good thing for adolescent boys to hate the thought
of being gay". Tim Gillean, Board President of Openarms Youth Project
Inc. responded, "The recent comments by the uneducated man in Senator Coburn's
office shine the light on the hate speech that leads to the death of our Gay
and Lesbian youth. Speech such as this is the reason our youth are facing
conflicts in the hallways of their schools. He should be terminated immediately
and an official apology issued by Senator Coburn. Our children deserve so much
more from their elected officials and staff."
Michael
Merryman , LGBTQ Youth Outreach Coordinator, Youth Services said "We
at Youth Services agree with Oklahoma State Representative Al McAffrey
(D) that the recent comments made by Senator Tom Coburn's Chief of Staff, Mike
Schwartz, have no basis within the realm of facts, and therefore should be
considered accordingly."
Oklahomans
for Equality calls on U.S. Senator Tom Coburn to immediately remove from
his staff Michael Schwartz and save the American taxpayer his $130,000.00
annual salary.
http://www.legistorm.com/person/Michael_Schwartz/2930.html.
Please
contact Senator Tom Coburn and ask that Schwartz be dismissed for insulting
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens and embarrassing the state of Oklahoma.
http://coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactSenatorCoburn.Home
Or
you may call Dr. Coburn's offices:
Washington:
202-224-5754;
Tulsa: 918-581-7651;
Oklahoma City:
405-231-4941
|
