Psychiatrist should “reconsider board position”

Psychiatrist should “reconsider board position”

The Human Rights Law Centre (HRLC) has called on Victoria’s deputy chief psychiatrist Professor Kuruvilla George to reconsider his position on the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission board (VEOHRC) after it was revealed he was a signatory to a controversial submission to the Senate asserting that the recognition of same-sex marriage would damage “the health of our nation”.

The Doctors for the Family submission, representing a group of 150 medical professionals, caused outrage in the community last month when the Star Observer revealed its claims that marriage equality could potentially increase HIV rates and that children do better with a mother and a father.

A spokesman for the HRLC said a member of the VEOHRC board must take a stand for equality, not perpetuate discrimination and harmful stereotypes.

“It is well established that discrimination is damaging to the health of individuals, families and communities,” Phil Lynch said.

“At its worst, discrimination and homophobia can lead to mental illness and suicide.”

A major VicHealth report in 2007 found that discrimination can have “a devastating impact on health”, as well as high social and economic costs.

Lynch said it was appropriate for George to reconsider his position on the VEOHRC board in light of the conflict of interest between his position on gay and lesbian rights and his duties and functions under the Equal Opportunity Act 2010.

As a signatory to a Doctors for the Family Senate submission, George backed its claims that marriage equality would lead to a likely rise in the spread of disease by “normalising” same-sex sexual activity.

Under the Equal Opportunity Act, the Commission is mandated to eliminate discrimination and harassment, including on the grounds of “sexual orientation” or “lawful sexual activity”.

The Commission is also required to exercise all of its functions compatibly with the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities, which enshrines the principles of equality and non-discrimination.

Lynch said the prejudice and homophobia that underpin such views is the real threat to public health and well-being.

“All board members of the Commission must take a stand for equality and against discrimination,” he said.

“The perpetuation of harmful stereotypes is incongruous with the board’s duties and functions.

“As a private citizen, Professor George has a fundamental human right to freedom of religious belief and expression. If, however, those beliefs are fundamentally incompatible with his duties as a board member, he should resign that public office.”

Victorian Mental Health Minister Mary Wooldridge has sought an explanation from the state’s chief psychiatrist, Ruth Vine, over her deputy’s decision to join forces with the group, saying the government was unaware of the submission.

The Australian Medical Association has also distanced itself from Doctors for the Family, with president Steve Hambleton stating that the group’s views do not reflect those of the wider medical community of nearly 90,000 doctors in Australia.

In December 2011, the Australian Psychological Society (APS) endorsed a resolution of the American Psychological Association calling for marriage equality for those in same-sex relationships, on health and wellbeing grounds.

The APA resolution was unanimously endorsed by the board of the APS, a body representing 20,000 members.

VHREOC released a media statement yesterday saying it was unaware of the Doctors for the Family submission, stating that the views of Commission board members expressed in their individual professional or personal capacity “do not reflect those of the board or the Commission and are not authorised by the board or the Commission”.

UPDATE: A spokesperson for Victoria’s Attorney-General Robert Clark said Dr George will remain on the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission board.

The Attorney-General is responsible for appointing board members for the VEOHRC.

“The views expressed by Dr George were not expressed on behalf of the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission,” he said.

“Dr George, like all other citizens, has the right to freedom of expression and is entitled to take part as an individual citizen in public debate on national political issues.”

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One response to “Psychiatrist should “reconsider board position””

  1. I’m so glad that the Victorian Attorney-General Robert Clark (a man who once said that being gay is like a birth defect and like having spinal bifida) is there to stand up to the bad, bad people for questioning whether there’s a conflict of interest in Professor Kuruvilla George’s position. These lefty types need to learn their place – don’t they know the Liberals are in charge now?