National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality

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National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH), formerly National Association for Research and Treatment of Homosexuality, is a non-profit organization that offers conversion therapy and other regimens intended to change the sexual orientation of individuals who experience unwanted sexual attraction to members of the same sex. NARTH officials describe their organization as "dedicated to affirming a complementary, male-female model of gender and sexuality."^[1] NARTH was founded in 1992 by Joseph Nicolosi, Benjamin Kaufman, and the late Charles Socarides. Its headquarters are in Encino, California, at the Thomas Aquinas Psychological Clinic.

NARTH disagrees with the American Psychiatric Association's 1973 policy revision that removed homosexuality from its diagnostic manual of mental disorders.^[2][3][4]NARTH officials support the use of conversion therapy.^[5][6] Indeed, NARTH is the main secular organization advocating conversion therapy.^[7][8][9] Mainstream American medical and scientific organizations reject conversion therapy as ineffective at best, and harmful at worst.^{[10][11][12][13]} Conversion therapy is supported by some Christian right political groups, and by the ex-gay movement.

Contents 1 Formation 2 Mission statement and activities 3 Views 3.1 Position statements 3.2 On the nature of sexual identity 4 Affiliations 4.1 Focus on the Family 4.2 PATH 5 Gerald Schoenewolf controversy 5.1 George Alan Rekers 6 Medical view of conversion therapy 7 See also 8 References 9 External links

[edit] Formation

Narth was founded in 1992 by Benjamin Kaufman, Charles Socarides and Joseph Nicolosi. In an article titled In Defense of the Need for Honest Dialogue, Kaufman wrote that Socarides, Nicolosi and himself founded NARTH because the APA and similar professional organizations "had totally stifled the scientific inquiry that would be necessary to stimulate a discussion [about homosexuality]."^[14] NARTH argues that the political atmosphere had changed, making it politically incorrect to make even the suggestion of a dialogue that opens up the question of the normality of homosexuality. Kaufman states the reason they formed NARTH was in response to "censorship of a politically unpopular position."

[edit] Mission statement and activities

NARTH's mission statement, as indicated on its website reads:^[15]

We respect the right of all individuals to choose their own destiny. NARTH is a professional, scientific organization that offers hope to those who struggle with unwanted homosexuality. As an organization, we disseminate educational information, conduct and collect scientific research, promote effective therapeutic treatment, and provide referrals to those who seek our assistance.

NARTH upholds the rights of individuals with unwanted homosexual attraction to receive effective psychological care and the right of professionals to offer that care. We welcome the participation of all individuals who will join us in the pursuit of these goals.

NARTH's activities include providing referrals to conversion therapists, conducting research, hosting lectures, publishing scholarly literature, distributing literature to schools and libraries, promoting "teen awareness that homosexual attractions do not necessarily make one a homosexual", and "[making the public aware] that some homosexual people do seek and achieve change. The change is neither quick nor easy, but many believe---as we do---that the goal is a worthy one."^[16]

NARTH is a secular organization and does not use the Bible as justification for its positions in contrast with many of the religious-based groups that espouse the same concepts. Nevertheless, NARTH is a principal member of Positive Alternatives to Homosexuality (PATH) a coalition of predominantly ex-gay groups alongside Evergreen International (Mormon), Jews Offering New Alternatives to Homosexuality (JONAH), OneByOne (Presbyterian) and Powerful Change Ministry Group. As the only professional organization for reparative therapists, NARTH and its members serve as mental health experts for socially conservative, antihomosexual religious groups.^[17] NARTH members take part in ex-gay and conversion therapy activities with religious themes and much of NARTH's approaches are consistent with the "activities of a fundamentalist religious denomination, not a scientific association."^[17] For instance, at Love Won Out's November 2006 conference Joseph Nicolosi represented NARTH and spoke on "Prevention of Male Homosexuality" and on "The Condition of Male Homosexuality".^[18] NARTH holds the position that it is unacceptable for current or potential members to "publicly question the group's belief that homosexuality is an illness", and agreement with NARTH's views appears to be the "primary criterion for membership" rather than an individual's professional qualifications.^[17] NARTH's website also offers a resource list of over seventy theological articles and links such as "NARTH Expert Reviews 'Ex-Gays? A Longitudinal Study Of Religiously Mediated Change In Sexual Orientation'"^[19]

Courage International (Roman-Catholic), on the other hand, does not does not oblige its members to try to develop heterosexual attractions and does not consider itself an ex-gay ministry.^[20] If any Courage members wish to try to change their orientation, Courage will stand by them, but the goal of Courage is for members to support each other in living a life of interior chastity and holiness which can be done by persons with same-sex attractions and does not require orientation change. <^[21]

[edit] Views

While its members may hold different views, NARTH holds to some key positions on the origins and nature of homosexuality. These views serve as both a basis for their advocacy, as well as a source of controversy in the psychological profession, among activists and in the media. NARTH argues that there is today a widespread propaganda in favor of normalizing homosexuality in law and education.

[edit] Position statements

• NARTH explains its position on seven issues relevant to the group in this article on their website. They are titled:
  • Right to treatment
  • Gay advocacy in public schools
  • Pedophilia
  • Homophobia
  • Same-sex marriage
  • On the Meaning of Tolerance and Diversity
  • On the Causes of Homosexuality

[edit] On the nature of sexual identity

NARTH differs from the APA on their views on the nature and development of sexual identity.

“

NARTH agrees with the American Psychological Association that "biological, psychological and social factors" shape sexual identity at an early age for most people. But the difference is one of emphasis. We place more emphasis on the psychological (family, peer and social) influences, while the American Psychological Association emphasizes biological influences....

”

[edit] Affiliations

[edit] Focus on the Family

Focus on the Family's Love Won Out ministry claims to exhort and equip the church to respond in a Christ-like way to homosexuality from "a biblical point of view." The conference bases its Prevention of Male Homosexuality session on NARTH research. In the session Prevention of Male Homosexuality:^[22] "Contrary to the popular myth that homosexuality is genetic, same-sex attraction is a preventable and treatable condition."^[23] Love Won Out questions if homosexuality may be unhealthy. Love Won Out shows in a statistic according to a study by (NARTH) The National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality:^[24] "500 studies show self-destructive, maladaptive behavior associated with a gay lifestyle."^[25]

Joseph Nicolosi, on November 4, 2006, represented NARTH at the Love Won Out conference speaking on "Prevention of Male Homosexuality" and on "The Condition of Male Homosexuality".^[26][27] Nicolosi is the president and principal research investigator for NARTH and the clinical director of the Thomas Aquinas Psychological Clinic in Encino, California, where he specializes in the treatment of "men with unwanted homosexuality".^[28]

[edit] PATH

In 2003 NARTH became a member of Positive Alternatives to Homosexuality.

[edit] Gerald Schoenewolf controversy

NARTH received some criticism for Gerald Schoenewolf's essay "Gay Rights and Political Correctness: A Brief History", in which the member of NARTH's Science Advisory Committee argued that "Africa at the time of slavery was still primarily a jungle... Life there was savage ... and those brought to America, and other countries, were in many ways better off." He also stated that the civil rights movement, the women's rights movement, and the gay rights movement were all "irrational" and "destructive."^[29] Schoenewolf later on clarified that "No person is better off enslaved, obviously... What I tried to say, before my words were twisted by that reporter, is that despite the clear and obvious evil of that practice, we tend to forget that many of the enslaved people had been first been sold into bondage by their fellow countrymen; so coming to America did bring about some eventual good. No social issue has all the 'good guys' lined up on one side and 'bad guys' on the other."^[30]

[edit] George Alan Rekers

George Alan Rekers is listed on NARTH's website as an officer. Despite NARTH's position as a secular organization, Rekers has testified in court that he believes the Bible to be the infallable word of God and that homosexuality is a sin.^[31] His personal beliefs regarding homosexuality, according to the ACLU, interferes with his being able to give an unbiased professional opinion on LGBT topics, including gay adoption.^[32] Rekers was an expert witness in a 2004 case involving gay adoption in Arkansas. The state had banned LGBT people from adopting in 1999. In January 2005, Timothy White, Pulaski County's circuit court judge ruled against the state of Arkansas. Furthermore, he called Rekers' testimony "extremely suspect." He also accused Rekers of testifying solely for promoting his "own personal agenda."^[33]

In 2008, Rekers was also an expert witness in a case defending Florida's gay adoption ban. Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Cindy Lederman ruled against the state. In her decision, she said "Dr. Rekers’ testimony was far from a neutral and unbiased recitation of the relevant scientific evidence. Dr. Rekers’ beliefs are motivated by his strong ideological and theological convictions that are not consistent with the science. Based on his testimony and demeanor at trial, the court can not consider his testimony to be credible nor worthy of forming the basis of public policy."^[33]

[edit] Medical view of conversion therapy

The American Psychological Association Committee on Lesbian, Gay, & Bisexual Concerns states that therapy to change sexual orientation is rejected by most medical and mental health associations that have taken a position on the topic, on the grounds that it is often damaging to people's well-being.^[10] The American Psychiatric Association states that "ethical practitioners refrain from attempts to change individuals' sexual orientation."^[34] Major organizations that reject therapy to change sexual orientation include the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, the American Counseling Association, the National Association of Social Workers, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Association of School Administrators, the American Federation of Teachers, the National Association of School Psychologists, and the National Education Association.^[35]

NARTH rejects these claims, arguing that the psychological and psychiatric professional associations have become little more than the research arms of the gay rights movement.^[36] A. Dean Byrd commented in a press release that a paper by Jeffrey Satinover showed that, "...gay advocates have created fraudulent studies and misused, misquoted, and mischaracterized other research studies for political gain. These reports are frequently used in court cases to bring about victories for gay activism."^[37]

The keynote speaker at NARTH's 2004 Annual Conference, Robert Perloff, a past president of the APA, said that: "The individual's right for self-determination of sexuality -- or sexual autonomy -- is, I am happy to see, inherent in NARTH's position statement: 'NARTH respects each client's dignity, autonomy, and free agency... every individual has the right to claim a gay identity, or to develop their heterosexual potential. The right to seek therapy to change one's sexual adaptation is considered self-evident and inalienable.' I subscribe fully to the aforementioned NARTH position statement."^[38]

[edit] See also

• Biology and sexual orientation
• Environment and sexual orientation
• Homosexuality and psychology
• Sexual orientation and medicine

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• COPP Position Statement on Therapies Focused on Attempts to Change Sexual Orientation (Reparative or Conversion Therapies)^{[dead link]}
• NARTH position statements
• National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality, Official Website