The symposium would have featured discussion between gay bishop Gene Robinson and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Al Mohler. Warren Throckmorton of Grove City College says Robinson pulled out because he was concerned that conservative religious groups would use the event to give legitimacy to efforts to change sexual orientation.
 
“The intent was to have a balanced discussion of how psychiatrists respond to people of conservative faith who were also same-sex attracted.”

Caleb Price with Focus on the Family says the psychiatric association simply yielded to pressure.

“Rather than engage in a topic that is central to the APA’s stated goal to respect client autonomy, the gay activists within the group forced the organization to capitulate.”

Price says this move sheds some light on the APA.

“The APA’s decision to cancel this important and legitimate dialogue on the intersection of faith and counseling has revealed an inconvenient flash point – one that offers even more evidence that the organization is fast losing credibility as a profession.”

Throckmorton says the APA may consider future dialogue.

“There have been assurances from the APA leadership that a similar program might be considered for next year.”

The APA removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders in 1973, and endorsed same-sex marriage in 2005. However, they also affirm a client’s right to self-autonomy and say that there is a legitimate place for their exercise of religious values in therapy.