Twelfth researcher complains about religious right distortion of her work

[xchrom]

http://pamshouseblend.firedoglake.com/2012/01/04/twelfth-researcher-complains-about-religious-right-distortion-of-her-work/


Rick Fitzgibbons

Another researcher has come out complaining about how a religious right “expert” distorted her work to stigmatize the lgbtq community.

According to Box Turtle Bulletin, Rick Fitzgibbons of the NARTH (the National Association of Research and Therapy of Homosexuality) wrote a piece about same-sex adoption. In the piece, Fitzgibbons cited the work of Seton Hall professor Dr. Theodora Sirota to make the case that children in same sex households are not raised better than children “in stable homes with a mother and a father.”

However, according to Sirota, Fitzgibbons misused her work. You can read the letter here, but Box Turtle Bulletin breaks the distortion down nicely:

To support his denunciation of same-sex adoption, Fitzgibbons offers this summary of Sirota’s research:

Researchers interviewed 68 women with gay or bisexual fathers and 68 women with heterosexual fathers. The women (average age 29 in both groups) with gay or bisexual fathers had difficulty with adult attachment issues in three areas: they were less comfortable with closeness and intimacy; they were less able to trust and depend on others; and they experienced more anxiety in relationships compared to the women raised by heterosexual fathers.

The problem is not with what Fitzgibbons said; it’s what he left out: The gay and bisexual fathers in Sirota’s study were married to the mothers.

Dr. Sirota’s article is about the impact of a homosexual father raising a girl in a heterosexual marriage. It has nothing to do with same-sex couples, nothing to do with same-sex adoption at all.

[RKP5637]

1. K&R !!!

[beyurslf]

2. When you can't win with facts, LIE!

[w8liftinglady]

3. My psychiatrist said "Just come out,already"

I'm starting to like him more and more.

Most psychiatrists and psychologist have a lot more issues with staying "In the closet", versus being out and a parent. I'm glad they are speaking out.

[dickthegrouch]

4. Sirota should sue

And the remedy requested should be an apology for misusing her research, plus an accurate description of the misuse inserted into each unsold (not undistributed, unsold) copy of the book at Fitzgibbon's expense.