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Professional Associations' statements about Homosexuality

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A brief history of professional beliefs about homosexuality:

Until the mid 1950's the scientific study of human sexuality was in its infancy; research into sexual orientation was almost unknown. Homosexuality had been condemned by religious leaders for centuries. Almost all gays and lesbians remained securely in the closet. Homosexual behavior was a criminal act in most states of the U.S. It was branded a sexual deviation by mental health professionals. Homosexuality was listed as a mental disorder by the American Psychiatric Association in their Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders.

During the early 1950's, Psychologist Evelyn Hooker was inspired to undertake research into sexual orientation after having befriended Sam From. He was a gay student who attended one of her psychology classes at UCLA. He didn't seem to fit any of the familiar stereotypes of a gay male. With a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health, she compared two groups of subjects: one homosexual and the other heterosexual. Author Ryan Johnson wrote:

"Both groups were matched for age, intelligence quotient (IQ) and education level, and were then subjected to three psychological tests. These three tests, the Rorschach, Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) and the Make-A-Picture-Story Test (MAPS), were then analyzed by psychologists, and the results were tabulated. The results of Hooker's experiment yielded no significant differences in answers..." ₄ between the two groups.

In 1957, Hooker published a report called "The Adjustment of the Male Overt Homosexual." It showed that "homosexuals were not inherently abnormal and that there was no difference between homosexual and heterosexual men in terms of pathology." Dr. Hooker headed the Task Force on Homosexuality of the National Institute of Mental Health for many years. Johnson wrote:

"As a result of Hooker's finding, the American [Psychological Association]... removed homosexuality from its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychological Disorders in 1973. In 1975 it then released a public statement that homosexuality was not a mental disorder. In 1994, two decades later, the American Psychological Association finally stated, '...homosexuality is neither a mental illness nor a moral depravity. It is the way a portion of the population expresses human love and sexuality'."

Evelyn Hooker died on 1996-NOV-18, but had lived long enough to see the acceptance of homosexuality as a normal, natural sexual variant by most religious liberals, social liberals, and youth. She also saw the establishment of a new area of scientific study: sexual orientation in humans.

As of 2006, all of the professional organizations in the field state that homosexuality is a normal, natural, and fixed sexual orientation, with the exception of a small group, The National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality whose beliefs appear to be based on conservative Christian theology.

Obstacles preventing accurate studies of sexual orientation:

Unfortunately, the study of sexual orientation has many obstacles, not the least of which are bias, lack of accurate measurement techniques and self-delusion:

Bias: Few if any scientists motivated to study human sexuality enter the field without strong biases. It is extremely difficult for a researcher to remain totally objective and impartial on a matter as intimately personal as sexual orientation. Our finding in an unrelated medical field may be instructive here: we searched for information on when in gestation a fetus is capable of feeling pain. Many pro-life physicians believe that a fetus can feel pain as early as 7 weeks - part way through the first trimester. Many pro-choice physicians believe that it is not until certain synaptic connections are formed within the fetal brain at about the 28th week of pregnancy that pain can be sensed. This is well into the third trimester when very few pregnancies are terminated. There may be some pro-choice researcher in the world that says 17.5 weeks or less; there may be some pro-life researcher who said 17.5 weeks or more. But we have been unable to find any. Human sexuality is similar. Conservative Christians often define homosexuality as something that people do; it is a chosen preference. It is a disorder caused by poor parenting, which be overcome through therapy and prayer. Gays, lesbians, religious liberals, and most therapists believe homosexuality is something that people are; it is a pre-determined orientation that is normal and natural for them, just as heterosexual orientation is normal and natural for heterosexuals. And they feel that it is fixed and unchangeable, perhaps genetically determined like gender and race. With such an extreme polarization, it is rare for a researcher to be completely unbiased. There appears to be no middle ground.

Research studies: In the decades prior to Evelyn Hooker's pioneering work, researchers committed a fatal error when studying homosexuals. They recruited their subjects from prisons and therapists offices. They ended up studying individuals who had been in trouble with the law and who experienced emotional problems relating to their sexual orientation. It was only when Hooker recruited subjects from the general gay and lesbian population that this bias was overcome. Decades later, in the late 20th century, researchers repeated the same error when studying the homosexual behavior and orientation of youth.

Measurement: There is no consensus on the precise meaning of the terms "homosexual" or "heterosexual." Some measure sexual orientation in terms of an individual's fantasies; others in terms of a person's self-description; others in terms of behavior, etc. Consider a statement like: "if identical twins are separated at birth and raised in isolation from each other, and one is gay, then there is a 50% chance that the other is gay." A number of studies have concluded this. But the statement is not precise, unless we can first decide what the term "homosexual" really means. What if one twin is clearly gay, while the other twin was deeply in the closet and refused to admit that he is a homosexual? What if the twin is celibate, has homosexual fantasies but never had a homosexual relationship?

Delusion: Studies have been made to determine the success rate of conversion counseling - therapy designed to convert homosexuals into heterosexuals. Success rates of 30% to 50% have been claimed by therapist in various Christian ministries. But these are rarely backed up with hard data. Unfortunately, psychologists, psychiatrists and other therapists and counselors have a very poor track record in assessing their clients:

	therapists who use recovered memory therapy generally report that their clients improve during therapy. Studies of suicide rate, psychiatric hospital admissions, marriage breakup, unemployment rate show the opposite.
	therapists engaged in multiple personality disorder treatment (a.k.a. dissociative identity disorder) report that the bulk of their clients develop multiple personalities. But objective studies show that these "alter" personalities disappear shortly after the therapy ends. Also, these alters do not seem to be present in nature; they only develop in a therapist's office.
	professionals who believe in Satanic ritual abuse help the vast majority of their clients recover memory of childhood Satanic ritual abuse. So too with therapists who believe that emotional problems in adults are caused by abuse in former lifetimes, or abuse on board UFOs.
	therapeutic touch therapists are convinced that they can heal people by balancing energy patterns in their patient's bodies. But a simple science fair project by a public school student showed that TT therapists cannot detect body energy fields, let alone balance them.
	many professionals who use facilitated communication are convinced that it enables severely autistic individuals to communicate via computer. But dozens of studies have shown that, except for a small minority of children, all of the "communicating" comes from the facilitator and not the person with autism.

The ability of therapists to delude themselves is immense. Study results too often reflect the researcher's beliefs rather than any cold reality. Probably the only studies of homosexuality that have a chance of being reliable would be those in which the researchers hold diverse opinions on the nature of sexual orientation. Unfortunately, to our knowledge, such studies have never been made.

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Implications of a lack of consensus among therapeutic and religious professionals:

Although the vast majority of therapists and researchers in North America believe that sexual orientation is unchangeable, a minority supports the opposite view - that conversion or reparative therapy is effective.

There are probably about 8 million adults in North America who identify themselves as homosexuals, and who agree with the majority position of therapists. Most therapists counsel their clients to improve their self esteem and accept their orientation as a fact of their lives. But what if most professionals are wrong? What if a "reparative therapy" technique is available that will convert a significant number of gays and lesbians to heterosexuality? Many would seek such therapy, to avoid the lack of physical, employment and accommodation security that gays and lesbians face because of public homophobia. But if that form of counseling is ineffective, then their hopes might be needlessly raised only to be eventually destroyed. The backlash sometimes triggers suicide. The need for accurate information on the long term results of reparative therapy is obviously of great importance.

There are probably about 70 million conservative Christians in North America who believe that homosexuality and bisexuality are chosen preferences; they are unnatural, and can be changed through prayer and/or reparative counseling. Their pastors and denominations generally teach that homosexuality is hated by God and is a very serious sin. If they believe that a person's sexual orientation is chosen during teenage years, then their natural inclination would be to:

	eliminate gay and lesbian teachers from the school system
	ban homosexual support groups in the high school
	work to eliminate any mention of homosexuality in the school curriculum
	minimize any positive or accurate portrayal of gays and lesbians in the media
	keep the age of consent for homosexual activity higher than that of heterosexual activity
	allow discrimination against gays and lesbians in employment and accommodation, in order to make it a less attractive choice
	retain laws that criminalize homosexual behavior
	fight against equal rights for gays and lesbians including the rights to marry and adopt children

But if their beliefs are not based on reality, then they are wasting major effort to discriminate against gays and lesbians for no justifiable reason. If sexual orientation is pre-determined rather than chosen, then gays will become gays no matter what the level of discrimination in society. One might as well discriminate against people with black skin or blue eyes.

Recent statements by professional associations

In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders. The American Psychological Association declared that it was not a disorder in 1975.

Recent statements by professional organizations include:

The American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses in 1973.

The American Law Institute continually updates its Model Penal Code, which is a group of laws that they suggest be implemented at the state level. They recommend to legislators: "that private sexual behavior between consenting adults should be removed from the list of crimes and thereby legalized."

The American Bar Association in 1974 expressed its approval of the Model Penal Code, including its decriminalization of consensual adult homosexual acts.

The World Health Organization removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses in 1981.

The American Psychological Association released a Statement on Homosexuality in 1994-JUL. Their first two paragraphs are:

The research on homosexuality is very clear. Homosexuality is neither mental illness nor moral depravity. It is simply the way a minority of our population expresses human love and sexuality. Study after study documents the mental health of gay men and lesbians. Studies of judgment, stability, reliability, and social and vocational adaptiveness all show that gay men and lesbians function every bit as well as heterosexuals.

Nor is homosexuality a matter of individual choice. Research suggests that the homosexual orientation is in place very early in the life cycle, possibly even before birth. It is found in about ten percent of the population, a figure which is surprisingly constant across cultures, irrespective of the different moral values and standards of a particular culture. Contrary to what some imply, the incidence of homosexuality in a population does not appear to change with new moral codes or social mores. Research findings suggest that efforts to repair homosexuals are nothing more than social prejudice garbed in psychological accouterments.

In 1994-AUGUST, The APA sent a proposal to one of its committees that would declare as unethical:

	attempts by a psychologist to change a person's sexual orientation through therapy, or
	referral of a patient to a therapist or organization who attempts to change people's sexual orientation

The APA publishes an undated brochure titled "Answers to Your Questions About Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality." They state:

	"...many scientists share the view that sexual orientation is shaped for most people at an early age through complex interactions of biological, psychological and social factors."
	"...psychologists do not consider sexual orientation for most people to be a conscious choice that can be voluntarily changed."
	"...homosexuality is not an illness, mental disorder or emotional problem."
	"There is no evidence indicating that homosexuals are more likely than heterosexuals to molest children." ₁

In 1997_AUG-14, the APA published a news release about a recently passed resolution "on so-called reparative therapy." The resolution "raises ethical concerns about attempts to change sexual orientation, reaffirms psychology's opposition to homophobia and client's rights to unbiased treatment." ₂

The American Medical Association (AMA) released a report in 1994-DEC which calls for "nonjudgmental recognition of sexual orientation by physicians." They suggest that psychotherapy be directed help homosexuals "become comfortable with their sexual orientation."

The Academy of Pediatrics and the Council on Child and Adolescent Health have also stated that homosexuality is not a choice and cannot be changed.

NARTH, the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality is a professional organization for psychiatrists, psychologists, other therapists, social workers, and behavioral scientists. They, alone among professional mental health organizations, promote reparative therapy for gays and lesbians. Their Statement of Policy and Right to Treatment completely contradicts statements by all other professional mental health organizations, and mirrors the beliefs of fundamentalist and other conservative Christians and Jews . Their total membership is somewhat over 1,000 which compares to the over 132,000 members of the American Psychological Association. Noon-therapists can join as a "Friend of NARTH;" many conservative Christian ministries have done this. NARTH teaches that homosexuality is a sexual disorder -- a sexual deviancy -- which can be readily cured. More details.

In 1999, the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Counseling Association, American Association of School Administrators, American Federation of Teachers, American Psychological Association, American School Health Association, Interfaith Alliance Foundation, National Association of School Psychologists, National Association of Social Workers and National Education Association jointly issued a document titled: "Just the facts about sexual orientation." ₃They:

	expressed concern about harassment of gay and lesbian youth.
	condemned reparative therapy as potentially harmful and of little or no effectiveness
	describe transformational ministries as representing only one part of Christianity -- those faith groups which view homosexuality as outside God's will, and incompatible with Christianity. They cite other denominations as supporting equal rights, and protection against discrimination, for gays and lesbians.

Research Data

An excellent resource which summarizes research into various areas of sexual orientation can be seen at: http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/ It gives "Clear, accurate explanations of scientific research on homophobia and hate crimes, HIV/AIDS stigma, and other concerns to lesbians and gay men." Actually, the site is extremely valuable for all persons who are concerned about discrimination and hatred.

Related menu on this web site:

Reparative Therapy - all sides

References:

"Answers to Your Questions About Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality," APA brochure. See: http://www.apa.org/
"APA Council of Representatives Passes Resolution on So-Called Reparative Therapy," APA news release. See: http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/
"Just the facts about sexual orientation," can be read at: http://www.glsen.org/ This is an Acrobat PDF file. You can obtain a free software to read these files from Adobe Acrobat reader.
Ryan D. Johnson, "Homosexuality: Nature or Nurture," AllPsych Journal, 2003-APR-30. Online at: http://allpsych.com/ He refers to Evelyn Hooker as "Karen Hooker" in his essay.

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Copyright � 1998 to 2006 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Originally written: 1998-FEB-5
Latest update: 2006-FEB-11
Author: B.A. Robinson