Comment & Controversy

Physicians should not be coerced into treating lesbian patients

I take strong issue with Dr. O’Hanlan’s opinion that ObGyns should be coerced into supporting and advancing the homosexual agenda as our “duty.” It is inflammatory, misleading, and flat wrong to suggest discrimination on the part of any physician who may hold moral, ethical, or religious convictions that would prohibit him or her from providing certain services, whether it be for lesbians or anyone else. ACOG has taken the correct position. It is the right of any physician to accept or refuse any patient.

The same principle applies to elective abortion. Should I be required to perform abortion if my Christian beliefs are in conflict with that practice? Am I discriminating against the woman, or would I actually be discriminating against the unborn child, who cannot choose to go to another doctor who doesn’t support elective abortions—a child who has no voice?