March 22. On this date in 1987, the Universal House of Justice wrote to a young physician "homosexuality...an aberration subject to treatment, however intractable exclusive homosexuality may now seem to be...doubtless in the future clear principles of prevention and treatment will emerge...persons so afflicted...the underlying predisposition, which you consider to be innate but the Teachings do not."

March 22. On this date in 1987, the Universal House of Justice wrote to a young physician "homosexuality...an aberration subject to treatment, however intractable exclusive homosexuality may now seem to be...doubtless in the future clear principles of prevention and treatment will emerge...persons so afflicted...the underlying predisposition, which you consider to be innate but the Teachings do not."

...the Faith does not recognize homosexuality as a "natural" or permanent phenomenon. Rather, it sees this as an aberration subject to treatment, however intractable exclusive homosexuality may now seem to be. To the question of alteration of homosexual bents, much study must be given, and doubtless in the future clear principles of prevention and treatment will emerge. As for those now afflicted, a homosexual does not decide to be a problem human, but he does, as you rightly state, have decision in choosing his way of life, i.e. abstaining from homosexual acts.
Your plea for understanding of and justice extended to homosexuals is well taken in many respects, and the House of Justice assures you of its concern for the large number of persons so afflicted. Your work with the homosexual community is praiseworthy, and it permits you personally to exercise the support which is necessary for these often harassed persons, support which you call for in your essay. Moreover, your interest cannot but be therapeutic, at least for the more superficial elements of the problem; however, definitive therapy of the underlying predisposition, which you consider to be innate but the Teachings do not, may have to await additional investigations. As for the responsibility of Assemblies and of individual Bahá'ís, certainly all are called upon to be understanding, supportive and helpful to any individual who carries the burden of homosexuality.
As a young physician, you may wish to use this quotation, taken from a letter written by the Guardian to an individual believer in March 1950, as your guidance: "To be afflicted this way is a great burden to a conscientious soul. But through the advice and help of doctors, through a strong and determined effort, and through prayer, a soul can overcome this handicap." (22 March 1987)