Helmer: "astonished by synthetic tide of indignation at his amusing sex change tweet"

Just before the Newark by-election we wrote to Roger Helmer the UKIP candidate about his infamous sex change tweet.

Dear Roger

On the 16th January 2011 you wrote the following on twitter: 

"Why is it OK for a surgeon to perform a sex-change operation, but not OK for a psychiatrist to try to "turn" a consenting homosexual?"

Do you still stand by that? Do you think it is in any way offensive? If so do you think it important that people still stress their point of view? Do you think that a psychiatrist could 'turn' a consenting heterosexual.

Best regards

This was his reply

Dear Zoe,

I can hardly “stand by it”, as I never made a statement.  I merely asked a question.  It was intended to be light-hearted and amusing, and I was astonished by the tide of synthetic indignation it engendered from strident pressure groups.

I simply don’t know if it is possible to change a person’s sexuality through any kind of medical or psychiatric intervention (and I’m not sure I much care).

What I do care about is the right of individuals to make choices regarding their own behaviour and health and welfare.  Take a less contentious example.  I don’t know whether homeopathy works or not (though I suspect not).  But as a libertarian, I defend the right of anyone who believes it works, or believes it might work, to try it.  Similarly, if a homosexual person wants to change their sexuality, and believes that some intervention might achieve this, I would defend their right to try.  The impression I have is that the gay lobby regards any such intervention as intolerable and unacceptable, and vilifies anyone who seeks it.  I find that attitude deeply illiberal.

Best regards.

ROGER HELMER MEP