Can Gays Go Straight?

A recent Internet-wide search on Google.com turned up coverage by major news outlets, including CNN, MSNBC and The Washington Post, featuring the story of Spitzer's research couched in highly skeptical language. They emphasized claims of tainted research and appealed, in one case, to the claim of duplicity by some ex-gays. However, they did not tell both sides and failed to report the views of even the most pro-gay people who question widely-accepted notions such as genetic causes for homosexuality. We seek to balance the information here and provide hope to those homosexuals who truly desire change.

We are brought to these questions surrounding the controversy: Do claims that so-called former homosexuals were never really homosexual hold water? Where does personal choice come into play as a causal factor of homosexual behavior, not solely a human rights cause celebre (one pro-gay ad read, "We believe everyone has the right to love whoever they choose")? Does the detailed testimony of hundreds of former homosexuals count for much (see dozens of testimonials at StonewallRevisited.com)? Are there reasons for homosexuality that go deeper than sex, and if so, how do they likely come about (e.g., is it a developmental disorder, which even reparative therapists debate)? If so, is it ethical to fail to address the condition for those who want to change? How about the therapists who engage in reparative therapy for homosexuals--are they agreed on methods of practice? What are they currently discussing on the practice and philosophy of reparative therapy? Get another perspective on this important topic in our Special Focus.

*For example, May 9, 2001 report by CNN now removed from their Web site.
**See www.msnbc.com/news/570602.asp?cp1=1#BODY

—Byron Barlowe, Editor/Webmaster, Leadership University

Feature Articles--Personal Stories:

You Don't Have To Be Gay
Jeff "Bud" Konrad
This story of a former homosexual excerpted from his book by the same name is part of collection of dozens of changed lives stories on Stonewall Revisited and Another Way Out.

Client Describes Change Process
NARTH
"When I began reparative therapy," an ex-gay man says, "I took on the task of growing from a wounded little boy to a whole (and heterosexual) man. In my relationship with my therapist I have directly received the masculine mentoring that I needed, but did not get as a child."

A Father's Search For Understanding
NARTH
A father learns of his son's homosexuality and laments that he allowed the boy to be too close to his mother to the exclusion of closeness with him and with his male peers. Devastated by the news, the father now determines to seek freedom for his son.

Can those identifying themselves as homosexual experience change?
Stephen F. Sternberg, Th.M.
A response to an email message received at Stonewallrevisited.com from "AC" that challenging the notion that people who identify themselves as homosexual can experience real change in their personal lives.

Feature Articles--Reparative Therapy and Research:

A Survey of Treatment Results
Charles Socarides, M.D.
Socarides surveys reports of change from a homosexual to a heterosexual orientation through psychoanalysis.

How Might Homosexuality Develop? Putting the Pieces Together
Dr. Jeffrey Satinover
Psychiatrist Jeffrey Satinover offers a developmental scenario which he believes to be fairly typical for gay men...sensitive temperament, alienation from same-sex peers, and a "mismatch" in relationship with father cause a romantic longing which later is engrained as a sexual habit pattern.

What is Homosexuality? Reorientation Therapists Disagree
Dr. Joseph Nicolosi
Is homosexuality a normal variant, or a developmental disorder? A form of "missed potential," or an "irregular" form of sexuality? Therapists who join the National Association of Research and Therapy of Homosexuality take divergent positions on this issue.

Journal Articles Support the Reparative-Therapy Treatment Option
NARTH
Mark Yarhouse makes a strong case for the ethics of sexual-reorientation therapy for homosexuality in the journals Psychotherapy and in The American Journal of Family Therapy. Treatment "affirms the clients' right to dignity, autonomy and agency," and respects diversity.

Militant Homosexuality and Feminism: The Politicizing of Research and Feelings
Gerald Schoenewolf, Ph.D.
A small but vocal minority of radical gays and feminists is politicizing their anger against straight males in power. Misrepresenting research, they distort our perception of gender difference, gender development, and gender bias.

Feature Articles--Therapeutic Practitioners on Reorientation Therapy:

Attitudes Among Therapists about Homosexuality
NARTH
Is homosexuality a problem of gender identity? A missed potential? A normal condition one is born into? A developmental disorder? The range of ideas NARTH has heard from psychologists.

Factors Associated with the Outcome of Psychoanalysis of Homosexual Patients
Houston MacIntosh, M.D.
This study examines the response of 287 psychoanalysts to a survey regarding their work in psychoanalysis with 1222 homosexual patients. It is a continuation of a previous study of attitudes and experiences of psychoanalysts in analyzing homosexual patients regarding whether a homosexual patient in analysis, for whatever reason, can and should change to heterosexuality.

Coming Out Of The Closet: Why I Decided To Treat Homosexuals Who Want To Change Their Orientation
Paul Popper, Ph.D.
Dr. Popper shares how he became involved quietly in treating male homosexuals who wanted to leave the lifestyle because he saw the pain of these men and because he thought he could help. He wanted to continue quietly because it was safer, easier and there was less accountability. However, during the last few years as he became aware that the professional organizations of psychotherapists which govern the ethical standards of the different disciplines were seriously considering ruling that it was unethical to treat homosexuals who wanted to change their orientation, his timidity and fear was overcome by indignation.

Related Articles:

First AIDS Education, Then "Safe Schools," Then Gay Advocacy
NARTH
Not only is social-moral affirmation of homosexuality taught in many public schools, but inaccurate scientific data is used as well. Those who disagree with gay advocacy "are perilously close to losing the right even to voice their concerns on this issue."

Related Sites:

Another Way Out Personal Pages
Another Way Out is sponsored by Christians who seek to help people desiring to change their sexual orientation. We have linked to AWO's Personal Pages, which has links to many personal stories from former homosexuals.

National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH)
NARTH is a nonprofit, educational organization dedicated to the research, therapy and prevention of homosexuality. Founded in 1992, it is composed of psychoanalysts, psychoanalytically-informed psychologists, certified social workers, and other behavioral scientists, as well as laymen in fields such as law, religion, and education.

The Journal of Human Sexuality
Scholars, counselors and ministers on the topic of homosexuality. Articles fall under several headings: Biology/Psychology, History, Public Policy, Theology, and Social Service.