Blog 2 - Christian Doctor Perscribes Castration Drug as "Gay-Cure"

  Australian Doctor and member of an ultra-conservative christian sect, Mark Craddock has been permanently banned from the practice of Medicine, according to The huffington post. The decision came after Craddock prescribed a young man, who was 18 at the time, a form of Hormone Therapy often used to chemically castrate sex offenders.
  When the young man came out to a church leader, he was told to see Dr. Craddock for a "Cure". Craddock prescribed the young man a hormone drug called Cyprostat, which is commonly used to treat prostate cancer and chemically castrate sex offenders. The young man, who wishes to remain nameless, said that the doctor never referred him to a psychologist, or even discussed the side effects of the medication.
  During the hearing, the committee ruled that Dr. Craddock failed to adequately assess the patient and failed to provide appropriate medical management of the patient's therapeutic needs," and that he was guilty of "Unsatisfactory processional conduct. He was severely reprimanded and practice restrictions were placed on his registration."
  Dr. Craddock is a member of "Exclusive Brethren." A anti-gay christian sect that boasts 40,000 members world-wide.
  Almost every major Scientific organization has agreed that anti-gay cures are unethical and worthless. The American Psychiatric Association says "the potential risks of 'reparative therapy' are great, including depression, anxiety and self-destructive behavior, since therapist alignment with societal prejudices against homosexuality may reinforce self hatred already experienced by the patient."
  The fact that after all this time (the patient is 24 years old now) The fact that Craddock is being brought to justice now is both a good and bad sign. On the good side, society is making great strides towards equality, towards acceptance. On the bad side, the fact that the young man was so ashamed that he had to wait until he was 24 years old, or that nobody would listen to him until now. Is a sad reminder of the terrifying and dangerous lives that many GLBT youth have to live through.