Dr. Paul Miller, a psychiatrist in Belfast, Northern Ireland was recently reported to the General Medical Council after an undercover journalist unveiled Miller's techniques for curing gay people. The pinknews.co.uk, February 25, 2010, 'Iris Robinson's gay cure therapist reported to GMC' reported that Dr. Miller believes that 'same-sex attraction' in men stems from 'core un-met needs' such as the lack of a father figure.
Treatmentshomosexuality.org.uk, a website dedicated to discussion and information about the use of treatments that claim to turn homosexuals to heterosexual, states that "treatments to change a person's sexuality are unethical and may be damaging. This is because we have known for many years that homosexuality is not a disorder."
Psychiatrists continue to use reparative therapy on clients despite the fact that the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 1973.
Research on Reparative Therapy
Current research on the efficacy of reparative therapy proves that it does not work, and trying to convert homosexuals to heterosexuality can be harmful. Despite the research, a study by Professor Michael King at the University of Central London found that a small but significant number of psychiatrists continue to use the therapy on patients.
The study titled, "The response of mental health professionals to clients seeking help to change or re-direct sexual orientation", was e-published in March 2009. Over 1,400 psychiatrists were asked whether they would attempt to change a client's sexual orientation if requested. One in six reported having helped to decrease a client's homosexual feelings at least once.
According to the study, client's religious beliefs, family and societal stigma and maintenance of a marriage were reasons therapists may help clients decrease their homosexual tendencies.
American Psychological Association and Faith
Stephanie Simon, The Wall Street Journal, August 6, 2009, "A New Therapy on Faith and Sexual Identity", reported that the American Psychological Association considers it ethical and possibly beneficial for counsellors to help clients reject their lesbian or gay tendencies.
Simon says that according to new APA guidelines, "the counsellor must advise clients that gay men and women can lead happy and healthy lives and emphasize that there is no evidence therapy can change sexual orientation."
The APA set up a task force in response to the growing number of 'change therapists' who claimed that sexual orientation can be changed. According to the report issued by the APA in February 2007, the task force "conducted a systematic review of the peer-reviewed journal literature on sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) and concluded that efforts to change sexual orientation are unlikely to be successful and involve some risk of harm, contrary to the claims of SOCE practitioners and advocates."
Ex-Gay Supportive Organizations
A number of groups and organizations claim to be able to cure homosexuality, despite the research that disputes the ability to do so.
- International Healing Foundation - The founder, Richard Cohen, says, "People can and do change their sexual orientation. I've done it, and I've helped others do the same." Cohen wrote a letter to the Ugandan Parliament in response to that country's proposed legislation that would see homosexuals face the death penalty. In his letter, Cohen claims to have helped "thousands of men and women worldwide find freedom from homosexuality and fulfill their heterosexual dreams."
- National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) - According to Narth.com, "NARTH upholds the rights of individuals with unwanted homosexual attraction to receive effective psychological care, and the right of professionals to offer that care."
- Exodus International - This group is an arm of the Conservative Christian organization Focus on the Family. Their catchphrase is "Freedom is Possible" and the group claim on their website to be the largest information and referral ministry in the world addressing homosexual issues."
Though current research states that it can be harmful to try to turn gay people straight, the stigma and difficulty of living life as a homosexual can be overwhelming for some people. Ex-gay organizations open their doors to these people and support them as they try to eliminate their homosexual tendencies.
Lorah Delaney - Lorah is a native of Vancouver, British Columbia. She has a degree in Physical Education from the University of British Columbia and a ...
