Ex-gay movement

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OneByOne booth at a Love Won Out conference

The ex-gay movement consists of people and organizations that seek to get people to refrain from entering or pursuing same-sex relationships, to eliminate homosexual desires, to develop heterosexual desires, or to enter into a heterosexual relationship. "Ex-gay" is a term used to describe persons who once considered themselves to be gay, lesbian or bisexual, but who no longer assert that identity. When the term was introduced to professional literature in 1980, E. Mansell Pattison defined it as describing a person who had "experienced a basic change in sexual orientation".[1]

A large body of research and mainstream scientific consensus indicates that being gay, lesbian or bisexual is compatible with normal mental health and social adjustment. Because of this, the major mental health professional organizations discourage and caution individuals against trying to change their sexual orientation from homosexual to heterosexual, and warn that attempting to do so can be harmful.[2][3] During the DOMA Hearings, on February 23, 2011, the Attorney General of the United States wrote to the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives indicating it is a growing scientific consensus that sexual orientation is an immutable characteristic.[4]

Contents

[edit] Definition of change

Various ex-gay organizations have working definitions of change. Exodus International describes change as, "attaining abstinence from homosexual behaviors, lessening of homosexual temptations, strengthening their sense of masculine or feminine identity, correcting distorted styles of relating with members of the same and opposite gender."[5] People Can Change defines change as, "any degree of change toward greater peace, satisfaction and fulfillment, and less shame, depression and darkness", and emphasizes that for most people, heterosexuality is not the ultimate goal.[6] Some ex-gays advocate entering (or remaining) in a heterosexual marriage as part of the process. Some in mixed-orientation marriages acknowledge that their sexual attractions remain primarily homosexual, but seek to make their marriages work anyway.[7] The president of Exodus International said that he agrees that people cannot necessarily change their sexual orientation, but he said that they can, "live in accord with their beliefs and faith".[8]

[edit] Motivation of participants

The American Psychological Association reported that some ex-gay groups may help counteract and buffer minority stress, marginalization, and isolation[9] in ways similar to other support groups, such as offering social support, fellowship, role models, and new ways to view a problem through unique philosophies or ideologies.[10] Additionally, the same researchers also found that people joined ex-gay groups due to: a lack of other sources of social support; a desire for active coping, including both cognitive and emotional coping; and access to methods of sexual orientation identity exploration and reconstruction.[9][11][12][13] The same report found that some[12][13][14] have described the ex-gay groups as, "a refuge for those who were excluded both from conservative churches and from their families, because of their same-sex sexual attractions, and from gay organizations and social networks, because of their conservative religious beliefs.".[9] According to the APA report, "Ex-gay groups appear to relieve the distress caused by conflicts between religious values and sexual orientation and help participants change their sexual orientation identity, but not their sexual orientation".[9] The APA goes on to report that some[12] believed that by, "taking on 'ex-gay' cultural norms and language and finding a community that enabled and reinforced their primary religious beliefs, values, and concerns",[9] that they could resolve identity conflicts by, "(a) adopting a new discourse or worldview, (b) engaging in a biographical reconstruction, (c) embracing a new explanatory model, and (d) forming strong interpersonal ties.".[9] One of the APA's sources for the report[13] found that, "ex-gay groups recast homosexuality as an ordinary sin, and thus salvation was still achievable.".[9] Another one of their sources[14] is summarized as having observed that, "such groups built hope, recovery, and relapse into an ex-gay identity, thus expecting same-sex sexual behaviors and conceiving them as opportunities for repentance and forgiveness."[9] The APA report warns however that, "some [ex-gay] groups may reinforce prejudice and stigma by providing inaccurate or stereotyped information about homosexuality".[9]

[edit] Ex-gay organizations

The first ex-gay ministry, Love in Action, was formed in 1973.[15] Three years later, with other ex-gay organizations, it formed Exodus International, the largest ex-gay organization and the largest organization under the Exodus Global Alliance. Other ex-gay organizations cater to a specific religious groups, such as Courage International for Catholics, Evergreen International for Mormons (LDS), and JONAH for Jews.

Some groups follow a specific technique, such as Homosexuals Anonymous,[16] modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous' twelve-step program. Other ex-gay organizations include Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays.

[edit] People

[edit] People associated with the ex-gay movement
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  • Joe Dallas is the program director of Genesis Counseling.[17] He has written six books on human sexuality.[18]
  • Donnie McClurkin wrote about his experience with homosexuality in his book, Eternal Victim, Eternal Victor.[19] He describes himself as going through a process by which he became "saved and sanctified." McClurkin has been criticized for stating homosexuality is a curse.[20] He speaks openly about sexual issues since becoming the biological father of a child with a woman to whom he was not married.[21] He uses these experiences in his concerts and speaking engagements. In 2004, he sang at the Republican National Convention.[20][22] The appearance generated criticism for the event organizers and McClurkin for his statements on homosexuality.[23]
  • John Paulk, then leader of Focus on the Family's Love Won Out conference and chairman of the board for Exodus International North America, was spotted visiting a Washington, D.C. gay bar in September 2000. He was photographed outside of the bar from behind by Wayne Besen,[24] and later stepped down from the two organizations.[25]
  • Jeffrey Satinover is an American psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and physicist. He is a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of NARTH.[26]
  • Charles Socarides was an American psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, physician, educator, and author. He helped found NARTH in 1992.[27]

[edit] People who no longer support the ex-gay movement

Main article: Ex-ex-gay
  • Günter Baum originally founded an ex-gay ministry in Germany. Later he formed Zwischenraum, which helps gay Christians to accept their sexuality and to reconcile it with their beliefs.
  • Anthony Venn-Brown is a former Australian evangelist in the Assemblies of God and an author whose book describes his experience in Australia’s first ex-gay program.[28] Venn-Brown co-founded "Freedom 2 b[e]" which offers support to GLBT people from church backgrounds and who have been displaced from the ex gay movement.[29] In 2007 he co-ordinated the release of a statement from five Australian ex-gay leaders who publicly apologized for their past actions.[30]
  • John Smid was the leader of Love In Action in Memphis. He resigned that position in 2008,[31] and in 2010 apologized for any harm that he'd caused, noting that his teen program "further wounded teens that were already in a very delicate place in life".[32] He has announced that he is still homosexual and admitted never seeing a man successfully converting to heterosexuality in his group.[33]
  • Warren Throckmorton is a past president of the American Mental Health Counselors Association. He wrote and produced the documentary I Do Exist about ex-gay people,[34] but subsequently came to "believe that categorical change in sexual attractions, especially for men, is rare"[35] and repudiated some of the claims he made in the film.[34]
  • Peterson Toscano is an actor who was involved in the ex-gay movement for 17 years. He performs a related one-man satire titled Doin' Time in the Homo No Mo Halfway House, and with Christine Bakke co-runs Beyond Ex-Gay, a support website for people coming out of ex-gay experiences.

[edit] Controversy

There have been many scandals and controversies regarding the ex-gay movement, with claim and counter-claim by gay and ex-gay activists, psychiatrists and clinicians.

[edit] Sexual orientation change efforts

Main article: Sexual orientation change efforts

Some ex-gay organizations, such as Exodus International, recommend to their members that they undertake sexual orientation change efforts, such as conversion therapy.[36] Exodus warns against going to counselors that tells the patient that they "can definitely eliminate all attractions to your same gender, or that you can definitely acquire heteroerotic attractions".[37] Evergreen International does not advocate any particular form of therapy,[38] and warns that "therapy will likely not be a cure in the sense of erasing all homosexual feelings".[39]

SOCE are controversial and the American Psychological Association reported that, "the available evidence, from both early and recent studies, suggests that although sexual orientation is unlikely to change, some individuals modified their sexual orientation identity (i.e., individual or group membership and affiliation, self-labeling) and other aspects of sexuality (i.e. values and behavior)."[9] Virtually all major mental health organizations have adopted policy statements cautioning the profession and the public against treatments that purport to change sexual orientation.[40][41] The National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality, an ex-gay organization, argues that mainstream health and mental health organizations have, in many cases, taken public positions on homosexuality and same-sex marriage that are based on their own social and political views rather than the available science.[42]

[edit] Controversy over teenagers

A controversial aspect of the ex-gay movement has been the focus of some ex-gay organizations on teenagers, including occasions where teenagers have been forced to attend ex-gay camps by their parents. A 2006 report by the National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce outlined evidence that ex-gay and conversion therapy groups were at the time increasingly focusing on children.[43][unreliable source?] Several legal researchers[44] have responded to these events by arguing that parents who force their children into aggressive conversion therapy programs are committing child abuse under various state[which?] statutes.[45][Need quotation to verify][46][Need quotation to verify]

One case of emancipation involved Lyn Duff. After 168 days in Rivendell, Duff escaped.[47] In 1992, she initiated legal action against the facility and her mother.[48]

The ex-gay organization Love in Action was involved in a controversy surrounding a teenager. In July 2005, The New York Times ran a feature story about 16-year-old Zachary Stark, whose parents forced him to attend an ex-gay camp run by the group.[49] In July 2005, Stark was released from the camp. An investigation of the camp by the Tennessee Department of Children's Services did not uncover signs of child abuse.[50] In September 2005, Tennessee authorities discovered that unlicensed staff had been administering prescription drugs. A settlement was reached shortly thereafer. LIA closed the camp in 2007.

[edit] See also

Portal icon Sexuality portal

[edit] References

  1. ^ Throckmorton, Warren; Pattison, M. L. (June 2002). "Initial empirical and clinical findings concerning the change process for ex-gays". Professional Psychology: Research and Practice (American Psychological Association) 33 (3): 242–248. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.33.3.242. http://www.drthrockmorton.com/article.asp?id=1. 
  2. ^ "Just the Facts about Sexual Orientation & Youth". American Psychological Association. http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/just-the-facts.aspx. Retrieved 2011-04-02. 
  3. ^ "Bachmann Silent on Allegations Her Clinic Offers Gay Conversion Therapy". ABC News. http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/michele-bachmann-silent-allegations-clinic-offers-gay-conversion/story?id=14057215. Retrieved June 13, 2011. 
  4. ^ Letter from the Attorney General of the United States to the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, RE: DOMA, February 23, 2011,"Second, while sexual orientation carries no visible badge, a growing scientific consensus accepts that sexual orientation is a characteristic that is immutable"
  5. ^ "What's your "success rate" in changing gays into straights?". http://exodus.to/content/view/43/87/. Retrieved 2007-03-27. [dead link]
  6. ^ What Do We Mean by Change[dead link]
  7. ^ "No easy victory". Christianitytoday.com. March 11, 2002. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2002/003/2.50.html. Retrieved November 13, 2011. 
  8. ^ Ex-gay or just exploited?, Orange County Register, June 17, 2007
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j APA Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation. (2009). "Report of the Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation." Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.[1] Accessed August 2, 2011
  10. ^ Levine, M., Perkins, D. D., & Perkins, D. V. (2004). Principles of community psychology: Perspectives and applications (3rd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
  11. ^ Folkman, S., & Lazarus, R. S. (1980). An analysis of coping in a middle-aged community sample. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 21, 219–239.
  12. ^ a b c Ponticelli, C. M. (1999). Crafting stories of sexual identity reconstruction. Social Psychology Quarterly, 62, 157–172.
  13. ^ a b c Wolkomir, M. (2001). Emotion work, commitment, and the authentication of the self: The case of gay and ex-gay Christian support groups. Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, 30, 305–334.
  14. ^ a b Erzen, T. (2006). Straight to Jesus: Sexual and Christian conversions in the ex-gay movement. Los Angeles:University of California Press.
  15. ^ History. Retrieved April 14, 2007.
  16. ^ "Homosexuals Anonymous Fellowship Services – Home". Ha-fs.org. http://www.ha-fs.org. Retrieved November 13, 2011. 
  17. ^ Kwon, Lillian (June 25, 2007). "Exodus Freedom Speaker Warns of 'The Gay Gospel'". Christian Post. http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070625/28160_Exodus_Freedom_Speaker_Warns_of_'The_Gay_Gospel'.htm. 
  18. ^ "Joe Dallas l Genesis Counseling l Sexual Addiction Recovery". Joedallas.com. http://www.joedallas.com/. Retrieved November 13, 2011. 
  19. ^ DL Foster ((ISBN 1-56229-162-9)). "Eternal Victim/Eternal Victor: Making the Case for Victory". http://www.witnessfortheworld.org/DonnieMac.html. 
  20. ^ a b Richard Leiby (August 29, 2004). "Donnie McClurkin, Ready to Sing Out Against Gay 'Curse'". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A42982-2004Aug28.html. 
  21. ^ Lawton, Kim (May 6, 2005). "PROFILE: Donnie McClurkin (Interview)". PBS Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week836/profile.html. 
  22. ^ "The Donnie McClurkin Story:From Darkness to Light". Donnie McClurkin. November 23, 2004. http://www.blackfilm.com/20050121/reviews/donniemclurkin_dvd.shtml. 
  23. ^ "News :: GLBT". EDGE Boston. October 24, 2007. http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=23914. Retrieved November 13, 2011. 
  24. ^ Evangelical Press with additional reporting by Jody Veenker (October 1, 2000). "Ex-Gay Leader Disciplined for Gay Bar Visit". Christianity Today. http://www.ctlibrary.com/ct/2000/octoberweb-only/53.0.html. Retrieved 2007-08-29. 
  25. ^ Besen, Wayne (2003). Anything but Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth. Harrington Park Press. ISBN 1560234458. 
  26. ^ "Dr. Jeffrey Satinover Testifies Before Massachusetts Senate Committee Studying Gay Marriage". April 28, 2003. http://www.narth.com/docs/senatecommittee.html. Retrieved August 21, 2011. 
  27. ^ "A Tribute to Charles W. Socarides". http://www.narth.com/docs/soctribute.html. Retrieved August 21, 2011. 
  28. ^ "Anthony Venn-Brown: Book". http://www.anthonyvennbrown.com/book.html. 
  29. ^ Freedom 2 b[e]
  30. ^ "Former "Ex-Gay" Leaders in Australia Apologize, Claim That Ex-Gay Conversion Does More Harm Than Good". Soulforce.org. http://www.soulforce.org/article/1296. Retrieved November 13, 2011. 
  31. ^ Branston, John. "Fly on the Wall | The Fly-By". Memphis Flyer. http://www.memphisflyer.com/memphis/fly-on-the-wall/Content?oid=1143603. Retrieved November 13, 2011. 
  32. ^ Jason says: (March 30, 2010). "Ex-gay leader apologises | Star Online". Starobserver.com.au. http://www.starobserver.com.au/news/australia-news/new-south-wales-news/2010/03/30/ex-gay-leader-apologises/23288. Retrieved November 13, 2011. 
  33. ^ "Where is the repentance?". Grace Rivers. October 7, 2011. http://www.gracerivers.com/gays-repent/. Retrieved November 13, 2011. 
  34. ^ a b "I Do Exist FAQs". 2008. http://www.drthrockmorton.com/idoexist.asp. Retrieved August 21, 2011. 
  35. ^ "A new test of orthodoxy". Wthrockmorton.com. http://wthrockmorton.com/2011/11/04/a-new-test-of-orthodoxy/. Retrieved November 13, 2011. 
  36. ^ Exodus International Policy Statements, Exodus International. Retrieved July 4, 2007.
  37. ^ January 11, 2010 (January 11, 2010). "How to Find the Right Counselor for You – Exodus International". Exodusinternational.org. http://exodusinternational.org/2010/01/find-the-right-counselor/. Retrieved November 13, 2011. 
  38. ^ Evergreen Myths The Bottom Line: Evergreen does not advocate any particular form of therapy."
  39. ^ "Therapy-Evergreen International-Helping Latter-Day Saints overcome same-sex attraction (homosexuality)". Evergreeninternational.org. http://www.evergreeninternational.org/therapy.htm. Retrieved November 13, 2011. 
  40. ^ "Expert affidavit of Gregory M. Herek, PhD" (PDF). http://www.glad.org/uploads/docs/cases/gill-v-office-of-personnel-management/2009-11-17-doma-aff-herek.pdf. Retrieved November 13, 2011. 
  41. ^ Royal College of Psychiatrists: Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Position Statement on Sexual Orientation
  42. ^ http://www.narth.com/docs/TheTrojanCouchSatinover.pdf
  43. ^ Cianciotto, J.; Cahill, S. (2006). "Youth in the crosshairs: the third wave of ex-gay activism" (PDF). National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. http://www.thetaskforce.org/downloads/reports/reports/YouthInTheCrosshairs.pdf. Retrieved 2007-08-29. 
  44. ^ Hicks, A (1999) Reparative Therapy: Whether Parental Attempts to Change a Child's Sexual Orientation Can Legally Constitute Child Abuse; http://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/aulr49&div=19&g_sent=1&collection=journals accessed 29/01/2011
  45. ^ Talbot, T. Reparative therapy for homosexual teens: the choice of the teen should be the only choice discussed, 27 J. Juv. L. 33. 2006.
  46. ^ Cohan, J. Parental Duties and the Right of Homosexual Minors to Refuse "Reparative" Therapy, 11 Buff. Women's L.J. 67, 2002.
  47. ^ Controlling Desires: Sexual Orientation Conversion and the Limits of Knowledge and Law By David B. Cruz. Retrieved July 10, 2007.
  48. ^ Family Law, Public Policy and New Federalism by Steven K. Wisensale. Retrieved July 10, 2007.
  49. ^ Williams, Alex (July 17, 2005). "Gay Teenager Stirs a Storm". New York Times. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B00E4DA1E3DF934A25754C0A9639C8B63. Retrieved 2007-10-06. 
  50. ^ Palazzolo, Rose (June 28, 2005). "Ex-Gay Camp Investigation Called Off – ABC News". Abcnews.go.com. http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=878912&page=1. Retrieved November 13, 2011. 

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