The Ruth Institute, a project of the
National Organization for Marriage (NOM), is promoting a narrative
likening being gay to smoking.
NOM is the nation's most vociferous
opponent of gay marriage. After losing fights in five states on
Election Day, the group appears to be shifting its message further to
the right.
The Ruth Institute on Thursday promoted
on its website an article titled The Smokescreen Putting Young
Men's Health At Risk written by Thomas Coy.
“Instead of discouraging homosexual
behavior as smoking is discouraged, key elements of American society
have been promoting homosexuality as a viable and safe option
compared with heterosexuality. Gay organizations and gay influence
in the government, the media, the mental health associations,
academia, and the teachers' union have all played significant roles
in America's normalization of homosexuality. All too often, gay
political ideals have been given priority over the physical and
mental health of sexually confused youth. In addition, family
therapy advances in the prevention of homosexuality have been
marginalized to the extent that the general public is not even aware
that they exist,” Coy
wrote.
(Related: NOM's
Thomas Peters dismisses gay marriage wins.)