The American Psychological Association (APA) issued a statement to The Advocate in response to an article in the August 30, 2005 issue entitled, "Brainwashed No More." The APA's statement concerned "Reparative Therapy," also know as "conversion therapy." The term “reparative therapy” refers to psychotherapy aimed at eliminating homosexual desires and is used by people who do not think homosexuality is one variation within human sexual orientation, but rather still believe homosexuality is a mental disorder. This therapy is based on an understanding of homosexuality that has been rejected by all major health and mental health professionals, among them the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Counseling Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, the National Association of School Psychologists, and the National Association of Social Workers.
Despite the rejection of homosexuality as a mental health problem, many conservative organizations continue to promote reparative therapy. Thus, the public issuance by mental health organizations as to the incorrect promotion and usage of such therapy. Because legitimate health and mental health professionals do not see homosexuality as being something that can be changed through therapy, reparative therapy by them is refuted. Legitimate health and mental health professionals see therapy in gay individual focusing on accepting and living as who they are.
“Transformational ministry” is a term used to describe the use of religion to eliminate homosexual desires. “Transformational ministry” takes the approach that “freedom from homosexuality is possible through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The most important fact about “transformational ministry” is that its view of homosexuality is not representative of the views of all people of faith. And although some faiths believe homosexuality is contrary to biblical teaching, equality and acceptance of gays is taught.
The bottom line, being gay is not a mental health problem. Since one cannot choose to be gay , one cannot choose not to be gay. It is for each gay individual to learn how he/she can best live as the person they were created to be. And any therapy that says a gay person must change, is not legitimate.
2 comments:
Karl,
We are living in retro times, Reparative Therapy should have gone the way of button down shoes back in the 50's (didn't Dr. Kinsey settle that one already?). I fear that the religious right wants the uniformed to believe that being gay is an illness -- of course they also want us to believe in intelligent design, a loving god that thinks that war is ok (provided we kill non-whites only), and that George W Bush was handpicked by the almighty!
even Spock would say, "highly illogical, Captain."
Post a Comment