With the American Psychological Association under pressure from homosexual activists on its own staff to reassess its position on reparative therapy, a group of doctors, academics, counsellors and religious leaders, have called upon the organization to guard against discrimination against clients' religious beliefs.

A letter, authored by Dr. Warren Throckmorton PhD, was sent to APA leadership June 29 calling on the organisation to respect the religious beliefs of clients suffering from homosexual inclinations, who may not want to enter into the 'gay lifestyle' or accept it as a valid option for their lives.

The letter expresses "concern that the mission of the task force may not recognize same-sex attracted persons who also have solid and unwavering religious commitments which lead them to avoid homosexual behavior."

In May this year, at the request of its own Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Concerns Office, the APA appointed a task force made up of homosexual activists to monitor clients who engage voluntarily in so-called 'reparative therapy'. The Associated Press reported yesterday that the APA is considering the option of denouncing its previous neutral stand on therapies meant to reverse same-sex attraction and actively opposing them.