Published - Aug 05 2009 08:34PM EDT

By DAVID CRARY - AP National Writer

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.

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.

No solid evidence exists that such change is likely, says the report, and some research suggests that efforts to produce change could be harmful, inducing depression and suicidal tendencies.

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.

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.

Judith Glassgold, a Highland Park, N.J., psychologist who chaired the task force, said she hoped the document could help calm the polarized debate between religious conservatives who believe in the possibility of changing sexual orientation and the many mental health professionals who reject that option.

"Both sides have to educate themselves better," Glassgold said in an interview. "The religious psychotherapists have to open up their eyes to the potential positive aspects of being gay or lesbian. Secular therapists have to recognize that some people will choose their faith over their sexuality."

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.

"We have to challenge people to be creative," said Glassgold.

She suggested that devout clients could focus on overarching aspects of religion such as hope and forgiveness in order to transcend negative beliefs about homosexuality, and either remain part of their original faith within its limits _ for example, by embracing celibacy _ or find a faith that welcomes gays.

"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.'"

One of the largest organizations promoting the possibility of changing sexual orientation is Exodus International, a network of ministries whose core message is "Freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus Christ."

Its president, Alan Chambers, describes himself as someone who "overcame unwanted same-sex attraction." He and other evangelicals met with APA representatives after the task force formed in 2007, and he expressed satisfaction with parts of the report that emerged.

"It's a positive step _ simply respecting someone's faith is a huge leap in the right direction," Chambers said. "But I'd go further. Don't deny the possibility that someone's feelings might change."

An evangelical psychologist, Mark Yarhouse of Regent University, praised the APA report for urging a creative approach to gay clients' religious beliefs but _ like Chambers _ disagreed with its skepticism about changing sexual orientation.

Yarhouse and a colleague, Professor Stanton Jones of Wheaton College, will be releasing findings at the APA meeting Friday from their six-year study of people who went through Exodus programs. More than half of 61 subjects either converted to heterosexuality or "disidentified" with homosexuality while embracing chastity, their study said.

To Jones and Yarhouse, their findings prove change is possible for some people, and on average the attempt to change will not be harmful.

The APA task force took as a starting point the belief that homosexuality is a normal variant of human sexuality, not a disorder, and that it nonetheless remains stigmatized in ways that can have negative consequences.

The report said the subgroup of gays interested in changing their sexual orientation has evolved over the decades and now is comprised mostly of well-educated white men whose religion is an important part of their lives and who participate in conservative faiths that frown on homosexuality.

"Religious faith and psychology do not have to be seen as being opposed to each other," the report says, endorsing approaches "that integrate concepts from the psychology of religion and the modern psychology of sexual orientation."

Perry Halkitis, a New York University psychologist who chairs the APA committee dealing with gay and lesbian issues, praised the report for its balance.

"Anyone who makes decisions based on good science will be satisfied," he said. "As a clinician, you have to deal with the whole person, and for some people, faith is a very important aspect of who they are."

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.

Wayne Besen, a gay-rights activist who has sought to discredit the so-called "ex-gay" movement, welcomed the APA findings.

"Ex-gay therapy is a profound travesty that has led to pointless tragedies, and we are pleased that the APA has addressed this psychological scourge," Besen said.

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This is an interesting article. I think it should be standard reading in GAY 101, Learn to Be Yourself.

The conflict between biological urges and religious guidelines has plagued Humans ever since the first man worshiped a sacred rock or tree. The Bible, and other religious texts, are filled with the trials of human desire against "God's/Jehovah's/Buddha's/Allah's/etc" teachings. We must each come to grips in our own heart with the truth we each believe in.

As Polonius advised Laertes;
"This above all: to thine own self be true..."
(HAMLET, Act I, Scene iii, line 7880)

Don't let someone else dictate to you how to address the attraction to same sex partners. If you make the choice to repress your urges and pass yourself off as straight when you really crave the warmth of another man, you are only fooling yourself.

It is just as hard to be a gay man imprisoned in a straight illusion as it is to be a gay man in a straight world.

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At the risk of being subject to hate mail by other religions/beliefs/viewers, I'll jump into this after I beefed up security on this computer.

I'm ME and Gay. Raised Roman Catholic, Catholic school for many years. As I matured thru my teens I found that girls were not for me. Since the Catholic Church does not embrace homosexuality, I simply stopped attending except for required events like family funerals or weddings. Do I believe in a Higher Power, yes. Will I reach Heaven, Yes! I live a good life and have made many powerful impacts on the people/businesses/governments for the short time that I'm here on this planet.

The Brain is the most powerful computer on this planet and is wired by your genetics. If you prefer girls, boys, or both, it is out of your control. Look back at family history and try to determine who may or might be gay/bi. The DNA sequence is mutated somewhere to pre-disposition you to a preference. I've seen it in my family but unfortunately nobody studies this.

I believe that counseling by any religious sect (or others) will not make a difference in modifying future behaviour. If they do, then it's just a form of brainwashing. Is that ethical?

Will I go to church when needed, sure. Will I go to a church other than Catholic, sure. Just depends upon my need at the time.

__________________
5'9", 160#, S&P brown hair/blue eyes, 7" cut, 52yo, HIV neg. Mostly top but can be versatile.

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Putting it very simply.

In this time and age, religion is completely optional.

Your sexuality ain't.

If you think that the Higher Being, God or whoever calls the final shots, (if the enitity exists at all) really cares and worries about the issue of your dick & mouth and ass... think twice. Wouldn't you want to grow up, and put the importance of your own person and its sexual proclivities in its proper place?

Which happens to be 1 out of 6,776,481,335. at this time.

No matter what your Mom may have told you. The world does not really revolve around anyone particular person and his sexual behavior. Actually, despite all the hype, no one has got even any legitimate reason to care at all.

KD

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