Psychologists Repudiate Ex-Gay Therapy

In a major blow to the liars and demagogues among the Christianists like James Dobson who preach that "change is possible" for gays and their minions who have been making a lucrative living off of peddling snake oil and being "ex-gay for pay," the American Psychological Association issued a report that debunks "reparative therapy." In addition, the report states that mental health professions should not tell their clients that they can change their sexual orientation through therapy or other treatments, thereby likely setting the stage for disciplinary action against therapist that continue to lie to clients and subject them to bogus therapy. Similarly, the new APA position should help Courts to dismiss the claims of Christianists that sexual orientation is not an immutable characteristic worthy of protection. And to be frank, this new report further underscores that Don't Ask, Don't Tell is based purely on RELIGIOUS based discrimination against LGBT citizens.

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The report would also seem to make it easier hence forth for those who are subjected to false ex-gay therapy to sue those who treat them with practices that have now been unequivocally condemned by the APA. Wayne Besen and I have long talked about identifying past victims of "ex-gay" ministries and suing the ministries and therapists on a tort theory based on their use of practices condemned by the APA. The APA stance should also put more pressure on rational religious denominations - rational, that automatically excludes the Roman Catholic Church and the Southern Baptist Convention - to drop the argument that homosexuality is immoral and/or evil. The full 138 page report can be found here. Here are some highlights from Yahoo News:

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The American Psychological Association declared Wednesday that mental health professionals should not tell gay clients they can become straight through therapy or other treatments. Instead, the APA urged therapists to consider multiple options — that could range from celibacy to switching churches — for helping clients whose sexual orientation and religious faith conflict.

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In a resolution adopted on a 125-to-4 vote by the APA's governing council, and in a comprehensive report based on two years of research, the 150,000-member association put itself firmly on record in opposition of so-called "reparative therapy" which seeks to change sexual orientation.

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The APA had criticized reparative therapy in the past, but a six-member task force added weight to this position by examining 83 studies on sexual orientation change conducted since 1960. Its comprehensive report was endorsed by the APA's governing council in Toronto, where the association's annual meeting is being held this weekend.

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The report breaks new ground in its detailed and nuanced assessment of how therapists should deal with gay clients struggling to remain loyal to a religious faith that disapproves of homosexuality.

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In dealing with gay clients from conservative faiths, says the report, therapists should be "very cautious" about suggesting treatments aimed at altering their same-sex attractions. "Practitioners can assist clients through therapies that do not attempt to change sexual orientation, but rather involve acceptance, support and identity exploration and development without imposing a specific identity outcome," the report says.

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"There's no evidence to say that change therapies work, but these vulnerable people are tempted to try them, and when they don't work, they feel doubly terrified," Glassgold said. "You should be honest with people and say, 'This is not likely to change your sexual orientation, but we can help explore what options you have."

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The report also addressed the issue of whether adolescents should be subjected to therapy aimed at altering their sexual orientation. Any such approach should "maximize self-determination" and be undertaken only with the youth's consent, the report said.

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I sincerely hope that the APA will put some teeth into the consequences of licensed mental health practitioners who continue to disseminate the lie that sexual orientation is something that can be changed. HRC released a press release that in part echoed my thoughts:

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"We honor a person's right to believe what they will but that right does not extend to hurting others. And, as this report aptly demonstrates, 'reparative therapy' programs are hurtful," said Harry Knox, Director of HRC's Religion and Faith Program. "It is critical for licensed professionals to understand that one can live a deeply religious life as an openly LGBT person. Many denominations, as well as individual affirming congregations and affinity groups, are leading efforts to create welcoming and safe places for adolescents and young adults to come out within a religious community. Young people need to know that there are diverse faith communities that will accept them just as they are."