AMA President Under Fire For Anti-Gay Remarks

By Aaron Bailey in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 24, 2005 6:48PM

Dr. John Nelson, president of the Chicago-based American Medical Association, has been in some hot water lately.

Dr. Nelson was quoted in a New York newspaper comparing the ban of a gay group at the Catholic New York Medical College to Brigham Young's ban of caffeinated drinks and the University of Alabama dismissal of their football coach after he visited a topless bar.

Gay rights advocates were quick to pounce. Speaking to the Associated Press, Joel Ginsberg, executive director of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association, said Nelson's "comments were inappropriate and hurtful."

After the interview was published, Dr. Nelson back-stepped and said the article "does not represent [his] views or the policies of the AMA." Further, the AMA board said that they have "zero tolerance for discrimination in any form."

Still, the paper stands by the interview and neither Nelson nor the AMA have requested a correction.

Chicagoist believes we haven't heard the end of this, but doubt Dr. Nelson's job is on the line.