A formal complaint has, in April, been lodged with the General Medical Council (GMC) against the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCP) and three leading psychiatrists over the College’s public statements about homosexuality.
The complainants accuse the Royal College of neglecting its public duty by making misleading statements about same-sex attraction at the time of the same sex marriage Bill whereby it claimed that sexual orientation was biological and fixed at birth and then, quietly, a year later, stating that sexual orientation was neither inborn nor unchangeable. The complainants highlight the influence of the Royal College on public discourse and argue that its long delay and failure to publicise the eventual correction widely, constitute negligence.
Unethical?
In January, 14 UK organisations, including NHS England and the Royal College of General Practitioners, signed a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ which claimed that ‘efforts to try to change or alter sexual orientation through psychological therapies are unethical and potentially harmful.’
However, one complainant said: ‘This constitutes discrimination against individuals who experience homosexual feelings but wish to reduce them. Those offering professional services to support such individuals are denied professional training, registration, continuing professional development and professional indemnity insurance. Why is this the case when the Royal College has now admitted that sexual orientation can change? The College must be called to account for its failure to respond to enquiries about its earlier statements.’
