News

Log Cabin Republicans Urge Senate to Reject Nominee for U.S. Surgeon General

June 7, 2007

(Washington, DC) – Log Cabin Republicans urge the Senate to reject Dr. James Holsinger's nomination to serve as U.S. Surgeon General. "Dr. Holsinger's professional views about sexual orientation fall far outside the scientific mainstream, and call into question his ability to fairly deal with critical medical issues," said Log Cabin President Patrick Sammon. "While the President should ordinarily receive the benefit of the doubt in his appointments, the post of U.S. Surgeon General requires a nominee who relies on science and fact."

Holsinger's professional opinion on gays and lesbians is contained in an eight-page report that he wrote in 1991 for the United Methodist Church, entitled, "Pathophysiology of Male Homosexuality." The report, which goes into graphic detail about sexuality, has received harsh criticism from medical experts for its ideological overtones and false statements about the nature of gays and lesbians. He argued in the report that homosexuality is biologically unnatural.

Holsinger was a founder of Hope Springs Community Church in Lexington, Kentucky. The church operates a so-called "ex-gay" ministry, which seeks to change a person's sexual orientation – a concept that has been debunked by every major medical and psychological association and mainstream researcher who has studied this issue.

"The medical community has long rejected the notion that sexual orientation can be changed," said Sammon. "The fact that Dr. Holsinger advocates this type of junk science is troubling and represents a wholesale rejection of accepted and mainstream scientific opinion."

"During the Senate confirmation hearings, we expect a thorough examination of Holsinger's professional views," said Sammon. "Absent a full and complete explanation from him, one that makes it clear that he rejects the junk science he once embraced, the Senate should reject his nomination."