'Curing' Gays

To the editors:

I wish to make some clarifications regarding “Can This Man Make You Straight?” (Magazine, Sept. 27).

First, Cornerstone has repeatedly been described in the Harvard press as a “Bible study” group. This is inaccurate. Cornerstone is a discussion group, and our discussion topics range based on the needs of the individuals who come to our meetings. From time to time, an attendee will have a question about some of the Biblical passages that have commonly been used to condemn homosexuality, and in those cases we discuss those passages. Likewise, when students have issues with roommates, family or incidents on campus, those issues are discussed. It is very likely that in coming weeks we will be discussing this Fifteen Minutes scrutiny; however, it would be unreasonable to describe Cornerstone as a “Crimson study” group.

More importantly, neither Cornerstone nor I have any affiliation with or give any support or legitimization to Exodus or any groups like it. The mission and tactics of Exodus are completely antithetical to Catholic Church teaching and in my opinion lead to unhealthy degradation of the human person. The Catholic Church makes clear that sexual orientation is not sinful, nor can it be determined by choice. A person can no more choose to be heterosexual than homosexual or bisexual.

Any collaboration between Cornerstone and the Catholic Student Association with Christian Impact, Christian Fellowship, Beyond Our Normal Differences (BOND) and the Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Transexual and Supporters’ Alliance (BGLTSA) must not be a space for attempts at conversion to or from Christianity, nor conversions of sexual orientation. The only conversions should be conversions of heart, to an increase in mutual understanding and acceptance—beyond mere tolerance, secret condemnations and disapproval.

Jeffrey P. Morgan ’02

Sept. 27, 2001

The author is coordinator of Cornerstone.