The American Psychological Association has said that there is insufficient evidence for so-called “sexual orientation change efforts,” and has instructed mental health practitioners to avoid offering reparative or “ex-gay” therapy.
In a resolution adopted at its annual conference today, the APA officially rejected treatments that portray homosexuality as a mental disorder, and lauded approaches “that provide accurate information on sexual orientation and sexuality, increase family and school support and reduce rejection of sexual minority youth.”
The accompanying report made short shrift of recent ex-gay studies, saying they were based on “inadequate” research methods. The Chair of the APA’s Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation, Judith M Glassgold, said:
At most, certain studies suggested that some individuals learned how to ignore or not act on their homosexual attractions. Yet, these studies did not indicate for whom this was possible, how long it lasted or its long-term mental health effects.
She called for therapists to be “completely honest” about the likelihood of change, and to acknowledge the “reality of their sexual orientation,” while respecting the client’s religious beliefs.
Ex-Gay Watch has already noted how hardcore supporters of reparative therapy steeled themselves for today’s announcement.
Wow, Nicolosi is already complaining about how he was “overlooked”, even though his name appears 60 times in the report.
This is a milestone report — the taskforce is to be praised for the breadth and depth they offer, the integration of parallel veins of research dating back decades, and even for the generous way they have addressed all the issues and all those concerned.
For Exodus, and for those who promote ‘sexual orientation change efforts’ (SOCE), this is a report that eviscerates the public claims they have made for over 30 years. The report even manages to use those fatal words: “true change”.
Particularly encouraging is the clarity that this report will bring. It is a profound reminder that this profession will focus on the mental health of the individuals concerned — all individuals, as a client or as a part of community — regardless of the anti-gay efforts of others.
The section on stigma and minority stress is welcomed and is long overdue; as least as far as being clearly linked to the topic of SOCE. It is particularly strongly worded, and pulls no punches. A religious motivation for prejudice and stigma is not to be excused, but is to be addressed in terms of the mental health outcomes. For all. It is a devastating critique of professionals who adopt, and confuse, roles as both caring therapist and harmful social warrior: they are, frankly, called on the dangerous dichotomy of these.
Joe Nicolosi, named, is all but hung out to dry (see as example the footnote at p32). All of the icons of Exodus — Bieber, Socarides, Moberly, et al — suffer, rightfully, under careful scrutiny. The use of ‘heterosexuality’ or adopting a ‘not gay identity’ is rejected as a de facto measure of good mental health.
Exodus itself stands condemned via the specifically named ‘Love in Action’ affiliate. That section addresses child and adolescent involvement and is again a very strongly worded one that refuses to pander to religiously inspired prejudice or stigma. It again returns the professional focus to mental health outcomes, leaving Exodus Youth (as example) in a highly contrary position.
Also notable, and hence my above use of ‘generous’, is the recognition — long acknowledged here at XGW — of the particular support needs of those that are attracted to or become involved with ex-gay groups (even if only initially as part of their longer-term development). This report examines, with great sympathy, the place that these individuals find themselves. We’ll be very interested to see what, say, long-time XGW participant Jay will have to add to the comments; I think he’ll find much by way of affirmation.
As I said, a milestone report for which the taskforce, their reviewers and the 97% positive vote by the APA governing council deserves praise.
Read it people. Read it.
ps I’ll leave you with a phrase… “impression management”. Search the report and ponder just how right XGW has been over all these years about Exodus et al. Now we have an exact term for it!
Thanks grantdale, I couldn’t agree more. The APA report is thorough, professional and even-handed. I’ve not finished it, at last not without some skimming, but I can see that they put a lot of serious effort into doing this right. In recognizing faith as a factor in diversity, they rightly address the issue and suggest ways in which severely distressed individuals in those cases can be helped.
But in doing so, they also acknowledge the science, the evidence, that change in sexual and romantic attractions is not something any therapist can reasonably offer. If someone says they can make you straight (or you can become straight through any means), or that they know what caused you to be homosexual, run the other way because they are LYING to you.
There are some ramifications of this which we will discuss in the near future, but everyone, laymen and professional alike, really should read the complete report. It is top notch and I’m really proud of the work they did. And if you are someone who believes same-sex relationships are not something your faith endorses, then honestly you should be very happy about this as well. The resolutions here carve out a place for you that affords you genuine care and understanding, while at the same time safe from the quacks.
More to come, but to echo grandale — Read it, people. Read it.
Here’s the thing. The report states the obvious, as has been known for 35 years.
However, some people cannot be convinced of the obvious. Evidence: there are still those who are convinced, actually self-convinced, that the moon landing in 1969 was a hoax. There are still those who are convinced, even after 60 years, that fluouridation of water is a plot to poison people and hasn’t a thing to do with dental health.
There are even people who believe, after 500+ years of evidence to the contrary, that the Earth is flat.
Bottom line: some people will believe what they want to regardless of the evidence presented to them.
Zealots cannot be bothered with hard facts.