AIDS Action's alert on the nomination of Dr. Holsinger for Surgeon General:
Contact: Anna Ford 202-530-8030 ext. 3074 aford@aidsaction.org
CALL YOUR SENATORS AND URGE THEM TO OPPOSE THE NOMINATION OF DR. JAMES HOLSINGER FOR SURGEON GENERAL!
On May 24, 2007 President George Bush nominated Dr. James Holsinger for Surgeon General of the United States. As America's chief health educator, the Surgeon General must be devoted to helping ALL Americans lead healthy lives and be committed to science. Among the stated duties of the Surgeon General is to provide leadership in promoting health initiatives such as HIV prevention efforts.
Dr. Holsinger has had an extensive medical career; however, he also has a record showing prejudice towards and bias against homosexuals. HIV/AIDS continues to be a devastating public health epidemic, heavily impacting the gay community. Dr. Holsinger's efforts to put a scientific veneer on his prejudices puts his ability to advocate for the better health of all those living with and at risk for HIV/AIDS into serious question. Most disturbing was a 1991 paper prepared for the United Methodist Church by Dr. Holsinger entitled "Pathophysiology of Male Homosexuality," in which Holsinger expressed his medical opinions about the abnormality and health dangers of gay and lesbian sexual practices. His record also shows his support for reparative therapy to "cure" homosexuals, an approach widely discredited by mainstream medical and scientific organizations. AIDS Action strongly opposes his nomination and believes that if confirmed, he will not gain the confidence of people living with HIV/AIDS and will further marginalize and stigmatize gay people.
His nomination must be approved by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee (HELP) before the nomination is sent to the entire Senate for confirmation. (No hearing date has been set). Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) serves as the Chair and Senator Michael Enzi (R-WY) is the Ranking Member.
THE SENATE NEEDS TO HEAR FROM YOU! TELL THEM THE FOLLOWING:
* YOU OPPOSE THE CONFIRMATION OF DR. JAMES HOLSINGER FOR SURGEON GENERAL
* A SURGEON GENERAL WITH A RECORD OF PREJUDICE TOWARDS AND BIAS AGAINST THE HOMOSEXUAL COMMUNITY WOULD LIKELY BE A DIVISIVE, POLARIZING FIGURE AND DETRIMENTAL TO THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF ALL AMERICANS
* A SURGEON GENERAL THAT IS NOT COMMITTED TO SCIENCE WOULD JEOPARDIZE EVIDENCED BASED PUBLIC HEALTH EFFORTS
PLEASE CALL YOUR SENATORS AND SENATORS SERVING ON THE HEALTH EDUCATION LABOR AND PENSIONS (HELP) COMMITTEE. IF YOUR SENATORS SERVE ON THE HELP COMMITTEE IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORATANT THAT YOU CALL!
HELP Committee Members include: Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Christopher Dodd, (D-CT), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Barack Obama (D-IL), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Michael Enzi (R-WY), Judd Gregg (R-NH), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Richard Burr (R-NC), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Wayne Allard (R-CO), and Tom Coburn (R-OK).
You can reach your Senators by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and asking for them by name. To find out who your Senators are, go here and type in your zip code in the space provided. You can also email your Senators directly by clicking here and typing in your zip code in the space provided.
TAKE AIDS ACTION!
Urge your Senators and the Senate HELP Committee to Reject Bush's Nomination for Surgeon General!
No comments:
Post a Comment