LAC News
Freedom, Democracy and Homosexual Intolerance
By Sarah McQueen
July 2008

It seems that everywhere you turn there is a story in the media about homosexuals fighting for their "rights," speaking out against what they call "intolerance" and "persecution" because they are not given preferential treatment in society.  They rail against discrimination in the workplace, declaring that no one should be refused a job simply because of their beliefs and actions with regards to homosexuality.

Yet how ironic is that in light of the fact that the same people who fight for non-discrimination are the same people who are holding up the nomination of numerous presidential appointees, including Dr. James Holsinger, President Bush's nominee for U.S. Surgeon General.

It has been over ten months since Dr. Holsinger's confirmation hearings.  We still do not have a Surgeon General and Dr. Holsinger's nomination is in limbo.  His appointment is being held up in the Senate because of opposition from homosexual activists and their allies.  The complaints against Dr. Holsinger are not about his experience, intelligence, qualifications or ability to fulfill the responsibilities of the position. Instead, the complaints are about his views on homosexuality.  Dr. Holsinger has in the past expressed the traditional view of marriage held by his religion and denomination, the United Methodist Church, which states that the sacred union of marriage is between one man and one woman.

Part of the "evidence" against Dr. Holsinger is a paper he wrote in 1991 which detailed the very real health consequences of homosexual behavior among men.  This paper, written at the request of a church committee, simply states his medical findings and conclusions based on scientific data.  The paper contains nothing hateful or derogatory towards homosexuals.  Dr. Holsinger simply makes a case for heterosexuality based on human anatomy and the health risks that are associated with unnatural sexual behavior.  The reaction by homosexual groups concerning Dr. Holsinger's scholarly work shows an intolerance of rational views and an unjustified defensiveness for their behavior. 

Saying that Dr. Holsinger discriminated against homosexuals by publishing his medical research is comparable to saying that the Surgeon General's warning on cigarette advertisements is discrimination against smokers.

Dr. Holsinger did not speak in hatred; he simply stated his beliefs and provided scientific evidence supporting those views from a medical perspective

Senator Barack Obama said of Dr. Holsinger's nomination, "America's top doctor should be a doctor for all Americans.  I have serious reservations about nominating someone who would inject his own anti-gay ideology into critical decisions about the health and well-being of our nation." 

But Dr. Holsinger does have the health and well-being of the nation in mind.  As a healthcare professional, he reported on behavior that has proven to be detrimental to a person's mental and physical health

In his testimony, he stated that he does not "hate" and will not deny homosexuals the normal rights and information that all citizens of this country enjoy.  He said, "And should I be confirmed as surgeon general of the United States, I pledge to you today that I will continue that commitment to serve all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation or any other personal characteristic." 

We have reached a point in America where a candidate's morals and virtuous convictions are looked at as stumbling blocks to his or her confirmation for a political appointment.  Traditionally, the president has the privilege of nominating for administrative positions persons compatible with his administration's goals.  In the past, Congress confirmed those candidates unless the person lacked the qualifications for the job or was guilty of moral turpitude.  Now, Congress has the power to stall the smooth operation of government by withholding confirmation from candidates with the highest credentials on the grounds that the person's moral and medically accurate beliefs do not suit a powerful special interest group.

Freedom of speech and freedom of religion are basic to liberty and democracy.  The ability to freely express and discuss evidence on moral issues, especially related to homosexual matters, is threatened if a physician with Dr. Holsinger's qualifications cannot be confirmed as Surgeon General. Perhaps that is what this is really about - silencing experts on the consequences of homosexual behavior for fear of professional reprisal.

Editor's Note: For more information on the Holsinger nomination, click here.

Sarah McQueen is an intern with Concerned Women for America's Ronald Reagan Memorial Internship Program.  To learn more about the program, visit www.cwfa.org/internships.asp.