Perkins claimed that "homosexual men are more likely to abuse children than straight men"; experts disagree
SUMMARY: Amid the scandal surrounding former Rep. Mark Foley, Family Research Council (FRC) president Tony Perkins has promoted the falsehood that gay men are more likely than straight men to sexually abuse children.
In recent days, Family Research Council (FRC) president Tony Perkins has used the emerging scandal surrounding former Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL) to promote a falsehood about gay men -- that they are more likely than straight men to sexually abuse children, based on the claim that homosexuals are overrepresented in child sex abuse cases. In fact, a 1995 study released by the American Psychological Association found that "gay men are no more likely than heterosexual men to perpetrate child sexual abuse"; the argument that homosexuals are overrepresented in such cases is based on what John Hopkins University psychiatrist Frederick Berlin has described as the "flawed assumption" that men who abuse young boys are also attracted to grown men.
On October 2, Perkins issued a statement on what he claimed was "the real issue" in the Foley scandal -- the purported "link between homosexuality and child sexual abuse"; the statement was uncritically reported by the San Francisco Chronicle in an October 3 report on the scandal. Similarly, on the October 3 edition of MSNBC's Hardball, host Chris Matthews failed to challenge the claim by Perkins that "there's clear research that shows that homosexual men are more likely to abuse children than straight men." Perkins's claim appears to be based on an article on the Family Research Council's website by Timothy J. Dailey, a senior research fellow at the FRC's Center for Marriage and Family Studies, which asserts that there is a "disturbing connection" between homosexuality and pedophilia because "homosexual pedophiles commit about one-third of the total number of child sex offenses" whereas homosexuals make up only "1 to 3 percent of the population."
However, in a July 2002 report, USA Today noted numerous experts in psychotherapy, psychiatry, and child sex abuse who argued that figures showing "male pedophiles are more likely to molest boys than girls" are not evidence that gay men are more likely to abuse children than straight men, because they conflate men who abuse boys with gay men. For example, the article quoted David Finkelhor, director of the Crimes Against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire, as saying that pedophilia is "kind of* a separate sexual orientation" from homosexuality, and that pedophiles "often* ... have no attraction to adults whatsoever." The article also reported that Berlin, who is described in the story as an expert on sexual disorders, believes that pedophiles are not "very* attracted to adults of either gender," and that a study by psychotherapist Richard Sipe found "no tie between sexual abuse and homosexuality."
From the October 3 edition of Hardball:
MATTHEWS: OK, tough question: Should the Republican Party nominate gay men or gay women for public office? Is that a problem with you per se, just per se?
PERKINS: Per se? I think that this -- there's an indication, there's clear research that shows that homosexual men are more likely to abuse children than straight men. And when it comes to government, yes, I have a concern that any type of sexual deviancy is a problem. And I think -- I'm not pointing this strictly at homosexuality. I think this is a problem of dropping all sexual restraints in our society, and this is what it leads to. I mean, our kids not even being safe in the halls of government. Is that the America that moms and dads want for their children? I don't think it is.
MATTHEWS: Do you think this should be in the Republican platform for you to continue your allegiance to the Republican Party, that they stop nominating gay men or women for a public office? How strong are you on this?
PERKINS: Well, you know, I mean, I think -- I mean, that's not it. I don't think it needs to be in the platform. I think the question here is, was this action based out of fear of being -- of a backlash from homosexuals as being seen as gay-bashers? I think they have every right to participate in the process, and if they get elected through their local constituents, that's fine. But if the party is giving deference and protection and safe haven to those who are on a path of sexual deviancy and abusing children, that's a problem, Chris.
Perhaps Tony was only referring to Republican homosexual men. Some people maintain that being Republican AND homosexual is a form of deviance.
I might agree, to an extent, that Republicans who are homosexuals are deviants. If the definition of a deviant is someone who is not in-line with certain norms, I submit that a gay Republican, who normally votes against the best interests of gay Americans, is, in fact, a deviant - as s/he is also voting against his/her own self interests. Being gay and a Republican is akin to chickens supporting Colonel Sanders.
Exactly... wish I would have said that.
Yeah, it's good to see more republicans are caught with their pants down, and then dragged through the mud and forced to leave public office. I hate to think it's only people like (dem) Rep Gerry Studds (who has sex with the pages) not just e-mailing them. Oh, wait, he was never punished for having SEX with a minor, was he?
Studds is a good example of homosexuals being deviants, too. I wonder if we'll read about that comparison, here.
Yeah, it's good to see more republicans are caught with their pants down, and then dragged through the mud and forced to leave public office. I hate to think it's only people like (dem) Rep Gerry Studds (who has sex with the pages) not just e-mailing them. Oh, wait, he was never punished for having SEX with a minor, was he?
Studds is a good example of homosexuals being deviants, too. I wonder if we'll read about that comparison, here. - RepublicHater **********************************************
You know, you couldn't be MORE WRONG about the situation involving Gerry Studds. (1) Gerry did have sex with a 17 year old page. ONE page, not PAGES as you suggest above. (2) At the time, 17 years of age was the legal age of consent (if it indeed existed at the time). Is it wrong that Studds had CONSENSUAL sex with a 17 year old? I'll admit that he's got his toe on the line. However, what you disgusting conservatives want to try to do is equate Foley with gay Democratic congressmen and their issues in the past. Somehow for worthless right-wingers, two perceived wrongs make it right. Somehow we should excuse Foley for his predatory actions because of what some other people have done in the past?
So, we should acquit all murderers because O.J. got off? GET REAL.
I'll hash it out ONE MORE TIME for you brain-dead conservatives: Foley sat on a caucus which was supposed to protect children. If I'm correct, Foley was at the forefront of passing internet predatory laws. He was entrusted with protecting our children (which includes teenagers, by law). At the VERY same time, he was molesting pages using emails and instant messages - not just one page, but at least two, and probably many more than that, considering that he's been in congress for around 10 years.
The WORST part of it all is that your leadership, the conservative blow-hards like Hastert, chose to DO NOTHING about it, all in the name of politics. Such news getting out (Foley) affects the up-coming elections in November. Hastert and the moronic republicans would have done anything to squelch this event in order to hold onto their "morals and family values" platform - just to keep power.
Republicans are showing us that POWER is more important than protecting America's youth. That's disgusting.
On a personal note: I've known for quite some time, as I expect many of you have, that the Republican party in this country is nothing but a huge lie. Over the past 5 years, the farther right this country leans, the farther left I lean. I think it has something to do with some natural law about equal and opposite reactions. It's time to get rid of these disgusting, worthless people.
CSL
" Is it wrong that Studds had CONSENSUAL sex with a 17 year old? I'll admit that he's got his toe on the line. "
Is it true that the "consensual law" states that to be consensual, 1; the two parties must be within 4 years of each other in age and 2; parental consent must still be given? HE HAD SEX with an underage male. He's a deviant who proves the point of this entire issue. YOU call it "toe the line". And to think conservatives are misguided? I'm not defending Foley in ANY way, he is certainly another deviant. I am pointing out that liberals have more than enough hatred of republicans to drag THEM through the mud while forgetting that their own are NOT dragged through the mud for the same crime (convieniantly made to sound more horrible to have e-mail conversations with minors than it is to have sex with minors).
" Hastert and the moronic republicans would have done anything to squelch this event in order to hold onto their "morals and family values" platform - just to keep power. "
Isn't that EXACTLY what happened for Studds? Democratically controlled government let him off the hook to save future elections?? HYPOCRIT!!! The best part of your complaint on this issue was the use of "morals and family values"! Since the liberals have NO morals and family values it comes as no shock that you excuse Studds HAVING sex with a minor (one that we know of ) while denouncing Foley for explicite E-MAILS to minors.
" Republicans are showing us that POWER is more important than protecting America's youth. That's disgusting. "
Again, no more than the democrats have proven to be. Face it apples don't fall far from the tree, homosexuals are deviants and deviant actions they do. No matter what side of the political spectrum they claim to belong to.
" If I'm correct, Foley was at the forefront of passing internet predatory laws. He was entrusted with protecting our children "
Yes, that definately makes Foley a true deviant. I will NOT deny that. Now we wait to find out if he is homosexual, which will further prove that they will be more likely to abuse children. I will support all efforts to rid the nations governing body of deviants like him...republican AND democrat. They've both proven to be out there.
Research shows? BS! Gay, Straight, Black or White, we are all Human and equally at fault here. No one kind, or type, of person is superior to another..... Stupid ....................
Newt really set the tone for the GOP's reticence to bash gays.
Heard Paul Wyrick on NPR today saying the real scandal is that everyone knew Foley was gay. He further asserted that gay men are obsessed with sex. The interviewer stopped him and gave him the chance to state that that was his opinion. Wyrick insisted that 'psychologists and psychiatrists' would back him on his assertion.
God Bless the GOP
This assumption that gay men are obsessed with sex is nuts. It is all men. Just ask my fiance about that one.
No, the assumption that gay men are obsessed with sex is NOT nuts. Because it IS true for ALL men. So, technically, Wyrick is correct and all the 'psychologists and psychiatrists' will indeed back him on that. He just didn't add the disclaimer that it is true for all men.
Right wing Republican psychologists and psychiatrists perhaps.
Tony forgot to mention that the studies he cited were funded by conservative money for the expressed purpose of "proving" the conclusions they showed.
And Chris "Softballs" Matthews could have challenged the objectivity of those studies, but I guess it would be too much trouble to do a little research. REAL research shows no correlation between homosexuality and pedophilia.
And then, I would like all the republicans to come here and explain why 80+% of men who abuse their daughters come from your rank and file. It wasn't because they were gay, just sick...
We all knew that gay bashing would be the result of the whole Foley incident. The homophobes are having a party over this. I sure wish people were smarter...
...why I can't stand religious dogma. It influences people to do and say things that have no bearing on reality, integrity, or decency. I feel like I have Tourette Syndrome every time I hear one of them speak - "!@$#&^!"
That media outlets give guys like this a platform makes me physically sick.
It's not religion that makes idiots like Perkins spew nonsensce, it's the use of religion. People like Perkins, Falwell, Robertson and Dobson go to the Bible looking for passages to suport what they believe, not what the Bible might say. Yes there are passages in the Bible that might support what idiots like Perkins believe, but there are many more passages and teachings that support love, understanding and caring for our fellow man. Evangical conservatives have gone a long way to ruin the name of Christianity. For a true look at what Christians SHOULD believe look at how the Amish responded to the family of the man that massacred their children, and outporing of love and support , that's the true message of Christ, and people like Perkins should learn from that rather then use God to gain money/power or to make people feel like crap about themselves. Sorry to go on but those right wing nut jobs and the media reporting like all Christians are like Dobson, Falwell and Perkins is highly disturbing and highly inaccurate.
It's not religion that makes idiots like Perkins spew nonsensce, it's the use of religion. People like Perkins, Falwell, Robertson and Dobson go to the Bible looking for passages to suport what they believe, not what the Bible might say. Yes there are passages in the Bible that might support what idiots like Perkins believe, but there are many more passages and teachings that support love, understanding and caring for our fellow man. Evangelical conservatives have gone a long way to ruin the name of Christianity. For a true look at what Christians SHOULD believe look at how the Amish responded to the family of the man that massacred their children, and outporing of love and support , that's the true message of Christ, and people like Perkins should learn from that rather then use God to gain money/power or to make people feel like crap about themselves. Sorry to go on but those right wing nut jobs and the media reporting like all Christians are like Dobson, Falwell and Perkins is highly disturbing and highly inaccurate.
I hate it when these right-wing nutjobs equate men who molest boys as "homosexuals" instead of "pedophiles." This wording is all part of the the conservatives "anti-gay" or better known as "gay bashing" agenda.
Blame the homosexuals for every sexual crime - that is the typical tactic of right-wing theofascists. However, the real pedophiles resemble Tony Perkins and his audience the most - white heterosexual males from a religious background.
[link to sailerfraud.blogspot.com]