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{{Further|Conversion therapy}}
{{Further|Conversion therapy}}
[[File:One by One booth.jpg|thumb|right||[[OneByOne]] booth at a [[Love Won Out]] conference]]
[[File:One by One booth.jpg|thumb|right||[[OneByOne]] booth at a [[Love Won Out]] conference]]
The '''ex-gay movement''' is a controversial movement that consists of people and organizations that seek to encourage people to refrain from entering or pursuing [[same-sex relationships]], to "eliminate [[homosexuality|homosexual]] desires", to "develop [[heterosexuality|heterosexual]] desires", or to enter into a heterosexual relationship. The "ex-gay" movement relies on the involvement of individuals who formerly identified themselves to be gay, lesbian, or [[bisexual]] but no longer do; these individuals may either claim that they have eliminated their attraction to the same sex altogether or simply that they abstain from acting on such attraction. There have been various scandals related to this movement, including some self-claimed "ex-gays" having been found in same-sex relationships despite having denied this, as well as controversies over gay minors being forced to go to "ex-gay" camps against their will, and over admissions by "ex-gay" organizations that homosexuality is not a "condition" which is "curable".
The '''ex-gay movement''' is a controversial movement that consists of people and organizations that seek to encourage people to refrain from entering or pursuing [[same-sex relationships]], to eliminate [[homosexuality|homosexual]] desires, to develop [[heterosexuality|heterosexual]] desires, or to enter into a heterosexual relationship. The ex-gay movement relies on the involvement of individuals who formerly identified themselves to be gay, lesbian, or [[bisexual]] but no longer do; these individuals may either state that they have eliminated their attraction to the same sex altogether or simply that they abstain from acting on such attraction. There have been various scandals related to this movement, including some self-claimed ex-gays having been found in same-sex relationships despite having denied this, as well as controversies over gay minors being forced to go to ex-gay camps against their will, and over admissions by ex-gay organizations that homosexuality is not a condition which is curable.


"Ex-gay" organizations rely upon a [[Pseudoscience|pseudoscientific method]] called [[conversion therapy]], which has been condemned by the global scientific community as it lacks medical justification and represents a serious threat to the health and well-being of affected people.<ref name="therapeuticresponse"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.glad.org/uploads/docs/cases/gill-v-office-of-personnel-management/2009-11-17-doma-aff-herek.pdf |title=Expert affidavit of Gregory M. Herek, PhD |format=PDF |accessdate=November 13, 2011}}</ref><ref name=royal2009>Royal College of Psychiatrists: [http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/pdf/RCPsychposstatementsexorientation.pdf Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Position Statement on Sexual Orientation]</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/just-the-facts.aspx |title=Just the Facts about Sexual Orientation & Youth |accessdate=2011-04-02 |publisher=American Psychological Association}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/michele-bachmann-silent-allegations-clinic-offers-gay-conversion/story?id=14057215 |title=Bachmann Silent on Allegations Her Clinic Offers Gay Conversion Therapy |accessdate=June 13, 2011 |publisher=[[ABC News]]}}</ref><ref name=PAHO/> Global scientific and professional consensus is that [[sexual orientation]] is an immutable characteristic and that homosexuality is natural and normal variant of human sexuality as shown by research.<ref name="DOMA2011">[http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2011/February/11-ag-223.html 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."</ref> In 2012, the [[Pan American Health Organization]] (the North and South American branch of the [[World Health Organization]]) called on governments, academic institutions, professional associations and the media to expose these malpractices. The World Health Organization affiliate further noted that gay minors have sometimes been forced to attend these "therapies" involuntarily, being deprived of their liberty and sometimes kept in isolation for several months, and that these findings were reported by several [[United Nations]] bodies. Additionally, the Pan American Health Organization recommended that such malpractices be denounced and subject to sanctions and penalties under national legislation, as they violate the ethical principles of health care as well as [[human rights]].<ref name=PAHO>{{cite web|title="Therapies" to change sexual orientation lack medical justification and threaten health|url=http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6803&Itemid=1926|publisher=Pan American Health Organization|accessdate=May 26, 2012}} archived [http://www.webcitation.org/67xKQyixE here].</ref>
Ex-gay organizations rely upon a [[Pseudoscience|pseudoscientific method]] called [[conversion therapy]], which has been condemned by the global scientific community as it lacks medical justification and represents a serious threat to the health and well-being of affected people.<ref name="therapeuticresponse"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.glad.org/uploads/docs/cases/gill-v-office-of-personnel-management/2009-11-17-doma-aff-herek.pdf |title=Expert affidavit of Gregory M. Herek, PhD |format=PDF |accessdate=November 13, 2011}}</ref><ref name=royal2009>Royal College of Psychiatrists: [http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/pdf/RCPsychposstatementsexorientation.pdf Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Position Statement on Sexual Orientation]</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/just-the-facts.aspx |title=Just the Facts about Sexual Orientation & Youth |accessdate=2011-04-02 |publisher=American Psychological Association}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/michele-bachmann-silent-allegations-clinic-offers-gay-conversion/story?id=14057215 |title=Bachmann Silent on Allegations Her Clinic Offers Gay Conversion Therapy |accessdate=June 13, 2011 |publisher=[[ABC News]]}}</ref><ref name=PAHO/> Global scientific and professional consensus is that [[sexual orientation]] is an immutable characteristic and that homosexuality is natural and normal variant of human sexuality as shown by research.<ref name="DOMA2011">[http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2011/February/11-ag-223.html 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."</ref> In 2012, the [[Pan American Health Organization]] (the North and South American branch of the [[World Health Organization]]) called on governments, academic institutions, professional associations and the media to expose these malpractices. The World Health Organization affiliate further noted that gay minors have sometimes been forced to attend these therapies involuntarily, being deprived of their liberty and sometimes kept in isolation for several months, and that these findings were reported by several [[United Nations]] bodies. Additionally, the Pan American Health Organization recommended that such malpractices be denounced and subject to sanctions and penalties under national legislation, as they violate the ethical principles of health care as well as [[human rights]].<ref name=PAHO>{{cite web|title="Therapies" to change sexual orientation lack medical justification and threaten health|url=http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6803&Itemid=1926|publisher=Pan American Health Organization|accessdate=May 26, 2012}} archived [http://www.webcitation.org/67xKQyixE here].</ref>


== Definition of change ==
== 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."<ref name=Change>{{cite web |title=What's your "success rate" in changing gays into straights? |url=http://exodus.to/content/view/43/87/ |accessdate=2007-03-27 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2011}}</ref> [[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.<ref>[http://www.peoplecanchange.com/WhatWeMean.htm What Do We Mean by Change]{{dead link|date=November 2011}}</ref>When the term '''ex-gay''' 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".<ref>{{cite journal
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."<ref name=Change>{{cite web |title=What's your "success rate" in changing gays into straights? |url=http://exodus.to/content/view/43/87/ |accessdate=2007-03-27 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2011}}</ref> [[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.<ref>[http://www.peoplecanchange.com/WhatWeMean.htm What Do We Mean by Change]{{dead link|date=November 2011}}</ref> When the term '''ex-gay''' 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".<ref>{{cite journal
|title=Initial empirical and clinical findings concerning the change process for ex-gays |last=Throckmorton |first =Warren
|title=Initial empirical and clinical findings concerning the change process for ex-gays |last=Throckmorton |first =Warren
|coauthor=Pattison, M. L. | year=2002
|coauthor=Pattison, M. L. | year=2002
Line 14: Line 14:
|url=http://www.drthrockmorton.com/article.asp?id=1
|url=http://www.drthrockmorton.com/article.asp?id=1
|month=June |issue=3 |pages=242–248
|month=June |issue=3 |pages=242–248
|doi=10.1037/0735-7028.33.3.242}}</ref> Some "ex-gays" advocate entering (or remaining) in a heterosexual marriage as part of the process. Some in [[mixed-orientation marriage]]s acknowledge that their sexual attractions remain primarily homosexual, but seek to make their marriages work anyway.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2002/003/2.50.html |title=No easy victory |publisher=Christianitytoday.com |date=March 11, 2002 |accessdate=November 13, 2011}}</ref> 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".<ref>[http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1732269.php Ex-gay or just exploited?], ''Orange County Register'', June 17, 2007</ref>
|doi=10.1037/0735-7028.33.3.242}}</ref> Some ex-gays advocate entering (or remaining) in a heterosexual marriage as part of the process. Some in [[mixed-orientation marriage]]s acknowledge that their sexual attractions remain primarily homosexual, but seek to make their marriages work anyway.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2002/003/2.50.html |title=No easy victory |publisher=Christianitytoday.com |date=March 11, 2002 |accessdate=November 13, 2011}}</ref> 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".<ref>[http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1732269.php Ex-gay or just exploited?], ''Orange County Register'', June 17, 2007</ref>


==Motivation of participants==
==Motivation of participants==
The [[American Psychological Association]] reported that some "ex-gay" groups may help counteract and buffer minority stress, marginalization, and isolation<ref name=therapeuticresponse>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.[http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/therapeutic-response.pdf] Accessed August 2, 2011</ref> 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.<ref name=Levine>Levine, M., Perkins, D. D., & Perkins, D. V. (2004). Principles of community psychology: Perspectives and applications (3rd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.</ref> 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.<ref name=therapeuticresponse /><ref>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.</ref><ref name=ponticelli>Ponticelli, C. M. (1999). Crafting stories of sexual identity reconstruction. Social Psychology Quarterly, 62, 157–172.</ref><ref name=wolkomir>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.</ref> The same report found that some<ref name=ponticelli /><ref name=wolkomir/><ref name=erzen>Erzen, T. (2006). Straight to Jesus: Sexual and Christian conversions in the ex-gay movement. Los Angeles:University of California Press.</ref> 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."<ref name=therapeuticresponse /> 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."<ref name=therapeuticresponse /> The APA goes on to report that some<ref name=ponticelli/> 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",<ref name=therapeuticresponse /> 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."<ref name=therapeuticresponse /> One of the APA's sources for the report<ref name=wolkomir/> found that, "ex-gay groups recast homosexuality as an ordinary sin, and thus salvation was still achievable."<ref name=therapeuticresponse /> Another one of their sources<ref name=erzen/> 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."<ref name=therapeuticresponse /> The APA report warns however that, "some [ex-gay] groups may reinforce prejudice and stigma by providing inaccurate or stereotyped information about homosexuality."<ref name=therapeuticresponse />
The [[American Psychological Association]] reported that some ex-gay groups may help counteract and buffer minority stress, marginalization, and isolation<ref name=therapeuticresponse>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.[http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/therapeutic-response.pdf] Accessed August 2, 2011</ref> 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.<ref name=Levine>Levine, M., Perkins, D. D., & Perkins, D. V. (2004). Principles of community psychology: Perspectives and applications (3rd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.</ref> 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.<ref name=therapeuticresponse /><ref>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.</ref><ref name=ponticelli>Ponticelli, C. M. (1999). Crafting stories of sexual identity reconstruction. Social Psychology Quarterly, 62, 157–172.</ref><ref name=wolkomir>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.</ref> The same report found that some<ref name=ponticelli /><ref name=wolkomir/><ref name=erzen>Erzen, T. (2006). Straight to Jesus: Sexual and Christian conversions in the ex-gay movement. Los Angeles:University of California Press.</ref> 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."<ref name=therapeuticresponse /> 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."<ref name=therapeuticresponse /> The APA goes on to report that some<ref name=ponticelli/> 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",<ref name=therapeuticresponse /> 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."<ref name=therapeuticresponse /> One of the APA's sources for the report<ref name=wolkomir/> found that, "ex-gay groups recast homosexuality as an ordinary sin, and thus salvation was still achievable."<ref name=therapeuticresponse /> Another one of their sources<ref name=erzen/> 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."<ref name=therapeuticresponse /> The APA report warns however that, "some [ex-gay] groups may reinforce prejudice and stigma by providing inaccurate or stereotyped information about homosexuality."<ref name=therapeuticresponse />


==Ex-gay organizations==
==Ex-gay organizations==
The first "ex-gay" ministry, [[Love in Action]], was formed in 1973.<ref>[http://www.loveinaction.org/default.aspx?pid=103 History]. Retrieved April 14, 2007.</ref> 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]] ([[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|LDS]]), and [[Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing|JONAH]] for Jews.
The first ex-gay ministry, [[Love in Action]], was formed in 1973.<ref>[http://www.loveinaction.org/default.aspx?pid=103 History]. Retrieved April 14, 2007.</ref> 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]] ([[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|LDS]]), and [[Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing|JONAH]] for Jews.


Some groups follow a specific technique, such as [[Homosexuals Anonymous]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ha-fs.org |title=Homosexuals Anonymous Fellowship Services – Home |publisher=Ha-fs.org |accessdate=November 13, 2011}}</ref> modeled after the [[Alcoholics Anonymous]] twelve-step program. Other ex-gay organizations include [[Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays]].
Some groups follow a specific technique, such as [[Homosexuals Anonymous]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ha-fs.org |title=Homosexuals Anonymous Fellowship Services – Home |publisher=Ha-fs.org |accessdate=November 13, 2011}}</ref> modeled after the [[Alcoholics Anonymous]] twelve-step program. Other ex-gay organizations include [[Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays]].

Revision as of 15:45, 17 March 2013

Further information: Conversion therapy
OneByOne booth at a Love Won Out conference

The ex-gay movement is a controversial movement that consists of people and organizations that seek to encourage 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. The ex-gay movement relies on the involvement of individuals who formerly identified themselves to be gay, lesbian, or bisexual but no longer do; these individuals may either state that they have eliminated their attraction to the same sex altogether or simply that they abstain from acting on such attraction. There have been various scandals related to this movement, including some self-claimed ex-gays having been found in same-sex relationships despite having denied this, as well as controversies over gay minors being forced to go to ex-gay camps against their will, and over admissions by ex-gay organizations that homosexuality is not a condition which is curable.

Ex-gay organizations rely upon a pseudoscientific method called conversion therapy, which has been condemned by the global scientific community as it lacks medical justification and represents a serious threat to the health and well-being of affected people.[1][2][3][4][5][6] Global scientific and professional consensus is that sexual orientation is an immutable characteristic and that homosexuality is natural and normal variant of human sexuality as shown by research.[7] In 2012, the Pan American Health Organization (the North and South American branch of the World Health Organization) called on governments, academic institutions, professional associations and the media to expose these malpractices. The World Health Organization affiliate further noted that gay minors have sometimes been forced to attend these therapies involuntarily, being deprived of their liberty and sometimes kept in isolation for several months, and that these findings were reported by several United Nations bodies. Additionally, the Pan American Health Organization recommended that such malpractices be denounced and subject to sanctions and penalties under national legislation, as they violate the ethical principles of health care as well as human rights.[6]

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."[8] 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.[9] When the term ex-gay 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".[10] 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.[11] 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".[12]

Motivation of participants

The American Psychological Association reported that some ex-gay groups may help counteract and buffer minority stress, marginalization, and isolation[1] 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.[13] 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.[1][14][15][16] The same report found that some[15][16][17] 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."[1] 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."[1] The APA goes on to report that some[15] 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",[1] 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."[1] One of the APA's sources for the report[16] found that, "ex-gay groups recast homosexuality as an ordinary sin, and thus salvation was still achievable."[1] Another one of their sources[17] 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."[1] The APA report warns however that, "some [ex-gay] groups may reinforce prejudice and stigma by providing inaccurate or stereotyped information about homosexuality."[1]

Ex-gay organizations

The first ex-gay ministry, Love in Action, was formed in 1973.[18] 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,[19] modeled after the Alcoholics Anonymous twelve-step program. Other ex-gay organizations include Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays.

People

People associated with the ex-gay movement

  • Joe Dallas is the program director of Genesis Counseling.[20] He has written six books on human sexuality.[21]
  • Donnie McClurkin wrote about his experience with homosexuality in his book, Eternal Victim, Eternal Victor.[22] 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.[23] He speaks openly about sexual issues since becoming the biological father of a child with a woman to whom he was not married.[24] He uses these experiences in his concerts and speaking engagements. In 2004, he sang at the Republican National Convention.[23][25] The appearance generated criticism for the event organizers and McClurkin for his statements on homosexuality.[26]
  • 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,[27] and later stepped down from the two organizations.[28]
  • Jeffrey Satinover is an American psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, and physicist. He is a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of NARTH.[29]
  • Charles Socarides was an American psychiatrist, psychoanalyst, physician, educator, and author. He helped found NARTH in 1992.[30]

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.[31] 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.[32] In 2007 he co-ordinated the release of a statement from five Australian ex-gay leaders who publicly apologized for their past actions.[33]
  • John Smid was the leader of Love In Action in Memphis. He resigned that position in 2008,[34] 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."[35] He has announced that he is still homosexual and admitted never seeing a man successfully converting to heterosexuality in his group.[36]
  • 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,[37] but subsequently came to "believe that categorical change in sexual attractions, especially for men, is rare"[38] and repudiated some of the claims he made in the film.[37]
  • 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.

Controversy

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.[39] 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."[40] Evergreen International does not advocate any particular form of therapy,[41] and warns that "therapy will likely not be a cure in the sense of erasing all homosexual feelings."[42]

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)."[1] Virtually all major mental health organizations have adopted policy statements cautioning the profession and the public against treatments that purport to change sexual orientation.[43][3] 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.[44]

A large body of research and global scientific consensus indicates that being gay, lesbian, or bisexual is compatible with normal mental health and social adjustment. Because of this, major mental health professional organizations discourage and caution individuals against attempting to change their sexual orientation to heterosexual, and warn that attempting to do so can be harmful.[45][46] During U.S. congressional hearings on the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act, 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.[7]

In 2012, the Pan American Health Organization (the North and South American branch of the World Health Organization) released a statement cautioning against services that purport to "cure" people with non-heterosexual sexual orientations as they lack medical justification and represent a serious threat to the health and well-being of affected people, and noted that the global scientific and professional consensus is that homosexuality is a normal and natural variation of human sexuality and cannot be regarded as a pathological condition. The Pan American Health Organization further called on governments, academic institutions, professional associations and the media to expose these practices and to promote respect for diversity. The World Health Organization affiliate further noted that gay minors have sometimes been forced to attend these "therapies" involuntarily, being deprived of their liberty and sometimes kept in isolation for several months, and that these findings were reported by several United Nations bodies. Additionally, the Pan American Health Organization recommended that such malpractices be denounced and subject to sanctions and penalties under national legislation, as they they constitute a violation of the ethical principles of health care and violate human rights that are protected by international and regional agreements.[6]

Controversy over teenagers

A controversial aspect of the "ex-gay" movement has been the focus of some ex-gay organizations on gay teenagers, including occasions where teenagers have been forced to attend ex-gay camps against their will 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.[47] Several legal researchers[48] 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 statutes.[49][50]

One case of emancipation involved Lyn Duff. Duff was admitted to Rivendell Psychiatric Center in West Jordan, Utah on December 19, 1991, at age fifteen, after being involuntarily transported there at her mother’s behest.[51][52] Duff was subjected to a regimen of conversion therapy, including aversion therapy,[53] hypnosis, psychotropic drugs, solitary confinement, therapeutic messages linking lesbian sex with "the pits of hell",[54] behavior modification techniques, unreasonable forms of punishment for small infractions, and "positive peer pressure" group sessions in which patients demeaned and belittled each other for both real and perceived inadequacies.[51][55][56][57][58] On May 19, 1992, after 168 days of incarceration, Duff escaped from Rivendell and traveled to San Francisco, where she lived on the streets and in safe houses.[59] In 1992, Duff initiated legal action against the facility and her mother.[60]

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.[61] 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.[62] 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.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k 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
  2. ^ "Expert affidavit of Gregory M. Herek, PhD" (PDF). Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  3. ^ a b Royal College of Psychiatrists: Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Position Statement on Sexual Orientation
  4. ^ "Just the Facts about Sexual Orientation & Youth". American Psychological Association. Retrieved April 2, 2011.
  5. ^ "Bachmann Silent on Allegations Her Clinic Offers Gay Conversion Therapy". ABC News. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
  6. ^ a b c ""Therapies" to change sexual orientation lack medical justification and threaten health". Pan American Health Organization. Retrieved May 26, 2012. archived here.
  7. ^ a b 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." Cite error: The named reference "DOMA2011" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  8. ^ "What's your "success rate" in changing gays into straights?". Retrieved March 27, 2007.[dead link]
  9. ^ What Do We Mean by Change[dead link]
  10. ^ Throckmorton, Warren (2002). "Initial empirical and clinical findings concerning the change process for ex-gays". Professional Psychology: Research and Practice. 33 (3). American Psychological Association: 242–248. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.33.3.242. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthor= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  11. ^ "No easy victory". Christianitytoday.com. March 11, 2002. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  12. ^ Ex-gay or just exploited?, Orange County Register, June 17, 2007
  13. ^ Levine, M., Perkins, D. D., & Perkins, D. V. (2004). Principles of community psychology: Perspectives and applications (3rd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ a b c Ponticelli, C. M. (1999). Crafting stories of sexual identity reconstruction. Social Psychology Quarterly, 62, 157–172.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ a b Erzen, T. (2006). Straight to Jesus: Sexual and Christian conversions in the ex-gay movement. Los Angeles:University of California Press.
  18. ^ History. Retrieved April 14, 2007.
  19. ^ "Homosexuals Anonymous Fellowship Services – Home". Ha-fs.org. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  20. ^ Kwon, Lillian (June 25, 2007). "Exodus Freedom Speaker Warns of 'The Gay Gospel'". Christian Post.
  21. ^ "Joe Dallas l Genesis Counseling l Sexual Addiction Recovery". Joedallas.com. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  22. ^ DL Foster ((ISBN 1-56229-162-9)). "Eternal Victim/Eternal Victor: Making the Case for Victory". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ a b Richard Leiby (August 29, 2004). "Donnie McClurkin, Ready to Sing Out Against Gay 'Curse'". The Washington Post.
  24. ^ Lawton, Kim (May 6, 2005). "PROFILE: Donnie McClurkin (Interview)". PBS Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly.
  25. ^ "The Donnie McClurkin Story:From Darkness to Light". Donnie McClurkin. November 23, 2004.
  26. ^ "News :: GLBT". EDGE Boston. October 24, 2007. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  27. ^ Evangelical Press with additional reporting by Jody Veenker (October 1, 2000). "Ex-Gay Leader Disciplined for Gay Bar Visit". Christianity Today. Retrieved August 29, 2007.
  28. ^ Besen, Wayne (2003). Anything but Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth. Harrington Park Press. ISBN 1-56023-445-8.
  29. ^ "Dr. Jeffrey Satinover Testifies Before Massachusetts Senate Committee Studying Gay Marriage". April 28, 2003. Retrieved August 21, 2011.
  30. ^ "A Tribute to Charles W. Socarides". Retrieved August 21, 2011.
  31. ^ "Anthony Venn-Brown: Book".
  32. ^ Freedom 2 b[e]
  33. ^ "Former "Ex-Gay" Leaders in Australia Apologize, Claim That Ex-Gay Conversion Does More Harm Than Good". Soulforce.org. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  34. ^ Branston, John. "Fly on the Wall | The Fly-By". Memphis Flyer. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  35. ^ Jason says: (March 30, 2010). "Ex-gay leader apologises | Star Online". Starobserver.com.au. Retrieved November 13, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  36. ^ "Where is the repentance?". Grace Rivers. October 7, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  37. ^ a b "I Do Exist FAQs". 2008. Retrieved August 21, 2011.
  38. ^ "A new test of orthodoxy". Wthrockmorton.com. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  39. ^ Exodus International Policy Statements, Exodus International. Retrieved July 4, 2007.
  40. ^ "How to Find the Right Counselor for You – Exodus International". Exodusinternational.org. January 11, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  41. ^ Evergreen Myths The Bottom Line: Evergreen does not advocate any particular form of therapy."
  42. ^ "Therapy-Evergreen International-Helping Latter-Day Saints overcome same-sex attraction (homosexuality)". Evergreeninternational.org. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  43. ^ "Expert affidavit of Gregory M. Herek, PhD" (PDF). Retrieved November 13, 2011.
  44. ^ http://www.narth.com/docs/TheTrojanCouchSatinover.pdf
  45. ^ "Just the Facts about Sexual Orientation & Youth". American Psychological Association. Retrieved April 2, 2011.
  46. ^ "Bachmann Silent on Allegations Her Clinic Offers Gay Conversion Therapy". ABC News. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
  47. ^ Cianciotto, J.; Cahill, S. (2006). "Youth in the crosshairs: the third wave of ex-gay activism" (PDF). National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Retrieved August 29, 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  48. ^ Hicks, A (1999) Reparative Therapy: Whether Parental Attempts to Change a Child's Sexual Orientation Can Legally Constitute Child Abuse; Retrieved January 29, 2011
  49. ^ Talbot, T. Reparative therapy for homosexual teens: the choice of the teen should be the only choice discussed, 27 J. Juv. L. 33. 2006.
  50. ^ Cohan, J. Parental Duties and the Right of Homosexual Minors to Refuse "Reparative" Therapy, 11 Buff. Women's L.J. 67, 2002.
  51. ^ a b Mirken, Bruce (June 1994). "Setting Them Straight". San Francisco: 10 Percent. pp. 54–60.
  52. ^ PRESS CLIPSVillage Voice (New York, NY), October 06, 1998, 1595 words, by Andy Hsiao
  53. ^ Chris Holmlund & Justin Wyatt (2005) "Contemporary American independent film: from the margins to the mainstream" page 190. Psychology Press. http://books.google.com/books?id=9sYDqH2FAcsC&pg=PA190&dq=%22Lyn+Duff%22&hl=en&ei=dIP5TOu4IdK5hAfMmvSSCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=8&ved=0CEkQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=%22Lyn%20Duff%22&f=false
  54. ^ "Gender identity problems; Gays angered about doctors forcing issue" The Houston Chronicle, August 2, 1995, Wednesday, 2 STAR Edition, HOUSTON; Pg. 3, 1310 words, CAROLE RAFFERTY; Knight-Ridder Tribune News
  55. ^ Pela, Robert L. (November 11, 1997). "Boys in the dollhouse, girls with toy trucks". The Advocate. pp. 55–59.
  56. ^ . The Lambda Update. Fall 1993. p. 4. {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  57. ^ David B. Cruz (1999) "Controlling Desires: Sexual Conversion and the Limits of Law" Southern California Law Review 72:1297. http://www-bcf.usc.edu/~usclrev/pdf/072502.pdf
  58. ^ CHURCHER, Sharon (1998) "GOING STRAIGHT." Sunday Mail (Queensland, Australia), September 6, 1998, Sunday, NEWS; Pg. 40, 1274 words
  59. ^ Ladie Terry. (1994) 'ORPHANS' SPEAK OUT. San Jose Mercury News (California) Tuesday MORNING FINAL EDITION. December 13, 1994. EDITORIAL; Pg. 7B
  60. ^ Family Law, Public Policy and New Federalism by Steven K. Wisensale. Retrieved July 10, 2007.
  61. ^ Williams, Alex (July 17, 2005). "Gay Teenager Stirs a Storm". New York Times. Retrieved October 6, 2007.
  62. ^ Palazzolo, Rose (June 28, 2005). "Ex-Gay Camp Investigation Called Off". ABC News. Retrieved November 13, 2011.
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