| PRO (YES) The Archives of Sexual Behavior (Vol. 32, No. 5, pp. 403-417) published a 2003 study in which psychiatrist Robert L. Spitzer, M.D. wrote: "This study tested the hypothesis that some individuals whose sexual orientation is predominantly homosexual can, with some form of reparative therapy, become predominantly heterosexual... The majority of participants gave reports of change from a predominantly or exclusively homosexual orientation before therapy to a predominantly or exclusively heterosexual orientation in the past year. Reports of complete change were uncommon... Thus, there is evidence that change in sexual orientation following some form of reparative therapy does occur in some gay men and lesbians."
2003 Archives of Sexual Behavior 
The Catholic Medical Association stated in its 2005 online publication, "Homosexuality and Hope": "Reviews of treatment for unwanted same-sex attractions show that it is as successful as treatment for similar psychological problems: about 30% experience a freedom from symptoms and another 30% experience improvement.... Those who claim that change of sexual orientation is impossible usually define change as total and permanent freedom from all homosexual behavior, fantasy, or attraction in a person who had previously been homosexual in behavior and attraction... For a Catholic with same sex attraction, the goal of therapy should be freedom to live chastely according to one's state in life. Some of those who have struggled with same-sex attractions believe that they are called to a celibate life. They should not be made to feel that they have failed to achieve freedom because they do not experience desires for the other sex. Others wish to marry and have children. There is every reason to hope that many will be able, in time, to achieve this goal. They should not, however, be encouraged to rush into marriage since there is ample evidence that marriage is not a cure for same-sex attractions. With the power of grace, the sacraments, support from the community, and an experienced therapist, a determined individual should be able to achieve the inner freedom promised by Christ."
2005 Catholic Medical Association
Psychological Reports, in a 2000 study by Joseph Nicolosi, Ph.D. et al. (Vol. 86, No. 3, Pt. 2, pp. 1071-1088) stated: "We present the results of a survey of 882 dissatisfied homosexual people whom we queried about their beliefs regarding conversion therapy and the possibility of change in sexual orientation. ... Of the 882 participants, 726 of them reported that they had received conversion therapy from a professional therapist or a pastoral counselor. ... Before treatment or change, only 2.2% of the participants perceived themselves as exclusively or almost entirely heterosexual, whereas after treatment or change, 34.3% perceived themselves as exclusively or almost entirely heterosexual. ... As a group, the participants reported large and statistically significant reductions in the frequency of their homosexual thoughts and fantasies that they attributed to conversion therapy or self-help. They also reported large improvements in their psychological, interpersonal, and spiritual well-being.
2000 Psychological Reports
| |  | | CON (NO) U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D. wrote in his 2001 "The Surgeon General's Call To Action To Promote Sexual Health and Responsible Sexual Behavior": "Sexual orientation is usually determined by adolescence, if not earlier, and there is no valid scientific evidence that sexual orientation can be changed."
7/9/01 Office of the Surgeon General
The American Psychological Association, on its website section; "Answers to Your Questions About Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality," accessed on 12/7/04, stated: "The reality is that homosexuality is not an illness. It does not require treatment and is not changeable."
12/7/04 American Psychological Association
The American Journal of Psychiatry published a 2000 article by the APA (American Psychiatric Association) Commission on Psychotherapy by Psychiatrists (Vol. 157, No. 10, pp. 1719-1721), which stated: "...anecdotal reports of 'cures' are counterbalanced by anecdotal claims of psychological harm. In the last four decades, 'reparative' therapists have not produced any rigorous scientific research to substantiate their claims of cure. 'Reparative' therapy literature also tends to overstate the treatment's accomplishments while neglecting any potential risks to patients."
2000 American Journal of Psychiatry
The Human Rights Campaign, in their 1999 publication "Mission Impossible: Why Reparative Therapy and Ex-Gay Ministries Fail," stated: "The psychological, medical and psychiatric establishments agree that sexual orientation cannot be changed, and that so-called 'reparative therapy' aimed at altering gay peoples' orientations does not work and may, in fact, be harmful... The purveyors of 'reparative therapy' are well outside mainstream research and thinking in the psycho-therapeutic world."
1999 Human Rights Campaign | |
