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| Pastoral counselors
call for recognition of sexual orientation as a gift from God
[Published here on 5-12-01]
As one contribution to the ongoing discussion of
sexuality, over 900 members of the American Association of Pastoral
Counselors have signed this statement:
Resolution
Initiated by Some Members of the
Eastern Region of the
American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC)
We, the undersigned, recognize that our body does not
have a unanimous voice on these issues, but do wish to describe the
findings that have emerged from our experience as pastoral counselors
who have had the opportunity to sit in clinical settings with many gay,
lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons. We would affirm the following
conclusions:
• We have come to appreciate that sexuality and
gender come to us as gifts of God. While many of us were trained in an
understanding of the disease model of various forms of sexuality and
gender, actually having the privilege of being present to gay, lesbian,
bisexual, and transgender persons as clinicians has led us to realize
that sexual orientation and gender identity do not come as the results
of disease. Rather our experience leads us to conclude that an
individual’s sexual orientation and gender identity is present from
very early childhood and could not be matters of choice that represent
either disease or sin.We yearn for a world that is openly accepting of
all persons and seeks equal rights and privileges for gay, lesbian,
bisexual, and transgender persons.
• We feel blessed to work with all persons to help
them find authentic expressions of sexuality and gender given them by
God.
• We believe that sexual orientation and gender
identity are examples of the multiple blessings of God’s creation.
• Furthermore, in sitting in the presence of gay,
lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons, and listening to the pain
and conflict they endure because they are not free to share their
experiences, we believe that our culture has helped to perpetuate a
tragic injustice to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons
in our midst who have been created by God. We advocate a strong stand
against anything that leads to the promotion of hatred or violence
toward any persons because of their sexual orientation or gender
identity. At all times we are referring to caring and mature expressions
of sexuality and do not support exploitative or aggressive expressions
that use sexual involvement to do harm or which are destructive.
/////\\\\\
This comes to us from the
Rev. Dr. James W. Walkup, pastoral counselor on staff at Fifth Avenue
Presbyterian Church, New York, and the Reformed Church in Bronxville,
NY. He can be reached at jwalkup381@aol.com
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