Leading Psychologist Releases New Book Telling Parents 'Homosexuality is Preventable in Children'

3/31/2003

From: Julie Neils or David Gasak, 719-548-4634 both of Focus on the Family; Email: culturalissues@family.org

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., March 31 -- Dr. Joseph Nicolosi, executive director of the National Association of Research and Therapy of Homosexuality, joined Focus on the Family President Dr. James C. Dobson on his national daily broadcast today to discuss Nicolosi's new book, "A Parent's Guide to Preventing Homosexuality."

The book, featured on Sean Hannity's national radio show and Fox's O'Reilly Factor, challenges the notion that homosexuality is genetic and offers parents practical advice on how to prevent it. "This book is about giving parents a choice," said Nicolosi. "Parents cannot prevent something they do not understand."

Dobson, heard by 8.9 million listeners each week, praised the book, noting it ought to be read by every parent. "Deception runs deep on the issue of homosexuality," Dobson said. "It takes a great deal of courage to say anything about this issue when it does not coincide with the politically correct view. Dr. Nicolosi is one of those men who has the courage of his convictions."

In fact, the trade magazine Psychology Today ran a paid ad regarding the book and was attacked by homosexual activists for doing so. Editor Robert Epstein, Ph.D., a social liberal and defender of gay rights, wrote an editorial after the ad appeared saying he received "threats, insults" and "brutal letters" from gay activists. He noted that after choosing to run the ad he encountered what he describes as "the dark, intolerant, abusive side of the gay community."

"A Parent's Guide to Preventing Homosexuality," published by InterVarsity Press, is based on previous research as well as Dr. Nicolosi's 10 years of treating unwanted homosexuality as a clinical psychologist. The three-day broadcast addresses specific behavioral patterns in the parent-child relationship that encourages unhealthy same-sex attraction, such as a damaged relationship with a father or an overbearing mother.

In addition to his work as a psychologist, Dr. Nicolosi is a popular speaker and a regular presenter at Focus on the Family's national Love Won Out conferences -- one-day seminars designed to help the public navigate the myths clouding the issue of homosexuality. More than 16,000 men and women have attended these events since its inception in 1998. The conference makes its next stop in Detroit on April 26 at Tri-City Christian Center.

John Paulk, Focus on the Family's Love Won Out conference host, concluded: "Thousands of former homosexuals, like myself, have benefited from the information presented in this book. Activist groups who promote the inaccurate theory that one is 'born gay' should not be allowed to monopolize the discussion. In the spirit of tolerance we hope the message of this book will be promoted as part of the public debate as well."

To hear today's broadcast, log on to: http://www.family.org.

James C. Dobson, Ph.D. is a psychologist, author, radio broadcaster and the president of Focus on the Family. Founded in 1977, Focus on the Family is a nonprofit Christian organization committed to strengthening the family in the U.S. and throughout the world. Focus on the Family's secular and Christian radio and TV broadcasts are heard or seen by 28 million people a week.