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Alan Osmond Pens Anti-Gay Article In Defense Of Reparative Therapy On Family Website


First Posted: 11/09/11 02:26 PM ET Updated: 11/10/11 02:10 PM ET

Alan Osmond, who shot to fame in the late 1960s and early '70s as one of The Osmonds, is taking heat for penning an article that some in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) blogsophere have deemed homophobic.

In his article for the website The Family, the 62-year-old Osmond brother, who is Mormon, not only argues that being gay is not genetic, but also comes out in defense of "reparation" therapy, which is sought by those seeking to change their sexual orientation:

Research has NOT proved that homosexuality is genetic. Even more important, many researchers whose studies have been used to support a biological model forhomosexuality have determined that their work has been MISINTERPRETED. What is clear is that homosexuality results from an interaction of social, biological, and psychological factors. These factors may include temperament, personality traits, sexual abuse, familial factors, and treatment by one’s peers.

Before noting that "treatment success rates that exceed 50 percent," Osmond continues:

Developmental factors aside, can individuals diminish homosexual attraction and make changes in their lives? Yes. There is substantial evidence, both historical and current, to indicate this is the case.

LGBT activist Will Kohler, who reported the story on his blog Back2Stonewall, is among those who condemned Osmond's article. "What's beyond offensive is the fact that the Osmond Family which is still after all these years one of the most famous Mormon families in the world, and who and has hundreds of thousands of fans, link to and supports these homophobic lies and misinformation," he writes.

Last year, Osmond revealed in an interview that The Osmonds had consulted with Chuck Norris in an effort to make their dance moves more "manly." The video was submitted by Queerty reader Dave, and previously appeared there among other sites. Watch that interview below:

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article identified Osmond's article as appearing on a Mormon website. The Family states, "Though we are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this site reflects our words and is not an official site of our Church."
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Alan Osmond, who shot to fame in the late 1960s and early '70s as one of The Osmonds, is taking heat for penning an article that some in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) blogsophere h...
Alan Osmond, who shot to fame in the late 1960s and early '70s as one of The Osmonds, is taking heat for penning an article that some in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) blogsophere h...
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10:30 PM on 12/05/2011
I do think that Alan is nuts.....but I believe his weight is due to the fact that he has severe MS and can barely move. But he is def nuts......
01:49 AM on 11/13/2011
I'm betting one week till Alan Osmond has himself a gay sex scandal. He screams manly lust, right.?Literally.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Truth Only
12:47 AM on 11/13/2011
Alan, you're absolutely correct. It take guts to speak truth to fools. Your religion is false in many aspects, but your message here is right on.
11:44 AM on 11/13/2011
How so? You mean you agree with Osmond that we should course electiricity thorugh men's genitals to try and turn them str8??? That's absurd, imo. So, tell us why YOU agree with him.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Truth Only
02:41 AM on 11/14/2011
No. If all involved parties are willing, we must repent and pray for these people, and let the Lord take care of it. It can be cured - it does happen.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
pullmafingerquik
I don't care if you like me or not,like it or not!
02:52 PM on 11/12/2011
Last time I checked "America" was a free country in which we all have the right to Freedom of Speech and where we can all have our own opinions on everything and anything. But lately I see this ridiculous swing in which most of us cannot speak our mind without being attacked and being named a "homophobe" or an "hypocrite" or whatever else dependant upon the subject. So Alan Osmond is a nobody now,but back in the 60's,he and his brothers were regulars on the then popular Andy Williams show,and then in the early 70s they managed to sell millions of records in a very short span of time.In the 80s, he and his brothers managed to release a couple of sucessful country albums as well. Point is this: he did have a sucessful career and he has a right to his opinion. So,that is who he is,and that is what he believes,so, more power to him!!!!! And God Bless America!!!
03:33 PM on 11/12/2011
Interesting point of view. If a person is successful in their chosen career then their ideas relating to any subject whatsoever should be respected and seriously considered - no matter how uninformed they are on that subject or how nonsensical their ideas may be (or obviously motivated by simple bigotry in this particular case). An all too American idea, and maybe one at the root of our country's problems, and it reminds me of something. Oh, what is it? I've got it! - Herman Cain for President.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
pullmafingerquik
I don't care if you like me or not,like it or not!
02:51 AM on 11/13/2011
I was commenting to the point that half the people commenting here did not know who he was or what he has done that got him any recognition for having his opinion asked in the first place.
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loutrerouge
Defending reason, secularism and equality against
04:12 PM on 11/12/2011
If your opinions are homophobic you get labelled a "homophobe". That in no way impedes your right to free expression. It is sad I have to explain that.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
pullmafingerquik
I don't care if you like me or not,like it or not!
02:53 AM on 11/13/2011
He did not seem obsessed,scared or mad at the fact that homosexuals exist. Can someone dislike how homosexuals live,act,talk etc..... and not be a homophobe?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
DevonTexas
Eternal Optimism
01:17 PM on 11/12/2011
Remind me... who are The Osmonds?

It's a shame that such bullcrap is still being circulated in the 21st Century. "Research has NOT proved that homosexuality is genetic." More like... Research has proven it IS genetic. No one's been able to argue "nurture over nature" for at least 30 years... except for self-proclaimed "experts" like Osmond.
10:25 AM on 11/12/2011
How dare he judge others in that hateful shirt.
02:05 AM on 11/13/2011
...or with all that makeup on!
11:48 AM on 11/13/2011
Or with all those swishy dance moves. Even Chuck Norris can't take the swish out of an Osmond.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
rjhuntington
left is right and right is wrong
05:18 AM on 11/12/2011
So Alan, tell us about your "choice" to be straight. For it to have been a choice, you must have had both attractions. Tell us about that and how you resolved it. Tell us about your mixed feelings and what exactly tipped you to straight instead of gay. What was the deciding factor?
09:05 AM on 11/12/2011
You obviously don't get it. Straight people are born that way. It's only a choice for gays. Which means you have to be gay in order to choose to be gay!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
itsjules
Those who believe in telekinetics, raise my hand.
05:00 PM on 11/12/2011
Whew, I always wondered about that, thanks for clearing it up. :D
09:37 AM on 11/12/2011
PS. Wonder if Mr.Osmond would still believe (or pretend to believe) this nonsense if an "ex-gay" wanted to date or marry one of his children? I'll venture an absolutely wild guess - NO!
11:14 PM on 11/11/2011
How Alan Osmond Dodged Vietnam & Mission For Church
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuoJOcUMlyM
09:56 PM on 11/11/2011
This obese closet case needs to look in the mirror and deal with himself rather than trying to change other people, people that don't lie and eat themselves into whatever anger is fueling his B.S.
And he's a geneticist all of a sudden?

If it's a "choice" to be gay, then it's a choice (for straight people) to be straight.

Period.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Truth Only
12:18 PM on 11/12/2011
Wrong. You might use his weight as an example, however. Homosexuality and obesity are both the result of sin. We are called to repent of sin if we want a future. Then get to know the Savior, Jesus Christ. His Holy Spirit will help you understand it.
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TBJ
Irrelevent Blurb
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
DevonTexas
Eternal Optimism
01:19 PM on 11/12/2011
Huh? LOL
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Bob Kellerman
Let's have more sanity toward each other
08:59 PM on 11/11/2011
APPARENTLY IT WORKED, AT LEAST PUBLICLY

ON HIS BROTHER DONNIE

Ever hear the rumor about the soldiers?
creed840
Boiling water to weaken the tea.
07:37 PM on 11/11/2011
Funny, when I first saw the picture, I thought it was Chaz Bono after he shaved.
05:53 PM on 11/11/2011
I do not agree with Osmond at all. I don't know who ever made him an authority on gay people
It is genetic and has never been proven otherwise. So Osmond find something else to do.....
05:05 AM on 11/12/2011
~Scientists have yet to prove that a "gay gene" exists ~
09:49 AM on 11/12/2011
There is no gay gene or several gay genes. The idea is ludicrous. Sexual orientation is just a teeny tiny bit more complex than, say, eye color. It does NOT follow in the least however that sexual orientation doesn't therefore have its origin in genetics. Take some advanced biology courses or take my word for it - The working of genes in concert is EXTREMELY complex, too complex, probably, for us ever to fully understand..
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TBJ
Irrelevent Blurb
12:47 PM on 11/12/2011
Scientists have never proven that one can eliminate same-sex attractions at all.

Regardless of the causes, there's been no successful, repeated method for changing someone's sexual orientation.

Not to mention that no one bloody needs to change their sexual orientation.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Cowboylove
05:12 PM on 11/11/2011
I don't think there is any doubt that gay men can be made to lead relatively straight lives, but that does not make them straight. They are still gay, still have gay desires and attraction and that does not go away with all the praying in the world.

Can a Straight man be taught to pretend he is straight? Yes - but it doesn't make him straight. You can teach a dog to pretend to be a cat, but it is still a dog acting silly.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
DevonTexas
Eternal Optimism
01:23 PM on 11/12/2011
good point. straight guy acting gay... Heath Ledger, for example.

And my cat runs to the door when the doorbell rings, because he learned that from the dogs. Doesn't make him a dog, does it?
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PDXTransplant
˙˙˙pןɹoʍ uʍop ǝpısdn uɐ uı ƃuıʌıן
04:40 PM on 11/11/2011
How do you cure a mormon?
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mrbeadle
Finds Eeyore too Pollyannish.
05:03 PM on 11/11/2011
Mmmm, Cured Mormon.
Well, the brine is a very important part of the curing process, but well worth the trouble...':^1
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Atwill
Proud Father of a gay son.
06:02 PM on 11/11/2011
Well perhaps in another time and a another place. in the futue, for that is where , my friend you will spend the rest of your life, in the future.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
juabdib
Thank god there is no god...
03:26 PM on 11/11/2011
He either is talking out the side of his mouth and knows nothing of what he speaks, or he speaks with authority because he knows because he's a gay man. Either way, he's a dork.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Truth Only
12:20 PM on 11/12/2011
There is a third possibility that you know nothing about.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
juabdib
Thank god there is no god...
10:50 PM on 11/12/2011
I'm not concerned with that one. Thank god there is no god.
11:56 AM on 11/13/2011
Why do bigots presume gay people "know nothing" about god/religion?