Family Pride’s Blog

President Bush has nominated Kentucky doctor James Holsinger as Surgeon General, the nation’s number one spokesperson for American health. Supporters of Holsinger note his 41-page resume, including teaching stints at various medical schools and serving as health secretary for the state of Kentucky. As for “qualifications,” the AP article goes, Holsinger “seems born to be surgeon general.”

But there’s another side to the story, a side of great importance to the LGBTQ community and our friends. James Holsinger has a long, recorded history of anti-gay attitudes, policies and positions. He’s presided over the ousting of various openly gay and lesbian ministers in his United Methodist Church, penned articles on the “physiopathology” (or the “abnormal function”) of homosexuality, and resigned from committees specifically because he feared the “liberal” side would win on issues of homosexuality.

With the LGBTQ population in the US estimated in the tens of millions, the question is: why would we ever send up a biased nominee to serve as America’s medical authority, when there are so many other accomplished physicians out there without bias ready to take the position? How come the extent to which this man is bigoted is the question–not whether he’s bigoted in the first place?

If Holsinger won’t stand up for the health and safety of all Americans, then he shouldn’t stand at all. And whether his views on homosexuality have changed over the years doesn’t matter; his public record against homosexuality sends a message to all LGBTQ people that he cannot be trusted.

Holsinger’s nomination will gain traction in the coming weeks. A Senate hearing awaits. If you are as alarmed by this nomination as we are, contact your Senators. Tell them to oppose divisive public officials. Tell them you expect better out of a Surgeon General, for all Americans.

*This post was written by Program and Education Associate Dustin Kight, on behalf of the Family Pride staff.

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