Surgeon general
nominee appears to be biased against gays

President Bush's nominee to become the next surgeon general of the United States has a questionable record on gay issues. Dr. James Holsinger Jr. of the University of Kentucky College of Public Health was nominated on May 24.

Holsinger's writings and activities betray a decidedly antigay bias. In a paper titled "Pathophysiology of Male Homosexuality," for example, Holsinger claimed that his understanding of biology and anatomy prevented him from believing that gays and lesbians deserved equality.

Holsinger, along with his wife, also founded the Hope Springs Community Church, a well-known "ex-gay" ministry where, according to the church's pastor, gays and lesbians undergo conversion therapy to rid themselves of their homosexuality. Such therapy has been denounced by nearly every major medical organization in the country, including the American Psychological Association.

"Dr. Holsinger has a record that is unworthy of America's doctor," Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese said in a statement, referring informally to the post of surgeon general. "His writings suggest a scientific view rooted in antigay beliefs that are incompatible with the job of serving the medical health of all Americans. It is essential that America's top doctor value sound science over antigay ideology."

Holsinger's nomination must be approved by the U.S. Senate's Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, whose Democratic members include presidential hopefuls Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, Barack Obama of Illinois, and Christopher Dodd of Connecticut. (The Advocate)