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Letter to the EditorFull Access

Same-Sex Unions

Published Online:15 Jun 2001https://doi.org/10.1176/pn.36.12.0027b

I was deeply disturbed by the story in the January 5 issue regarding the vote of APA’s Trustees to support legal recognition of same-sex unions. When I pay my dues to APA, it is with the understanding that the organization will work to advance common professional goals and be an advocate for patients, not to take positions on highly controversial political, social, or legal matters that have absolutely nothing to do with psychiatry. I am a Christian. If I were on the Board and other Christian members tried to get APA to take a position that we recognize Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, I would vehemently oppose it. It would not be fair to the non-Christian members, and it wouldn’t be relevant to the goals of the organization.

I usually take the position that if one doesn’t agree with what is being done in an organization, efforts should be made to change things from within. I encourage all of you who are as outraged as I am about this to make your feelings known to any Board member you know. If this position isn’t stricken soon, I and many other members will leave APA. You wonder why we have trouble attracting and keeping members?

Lafayette, La.