Gay Conversion Study Shows a Measure of Hope

[prisonchaplain]

This may well be the first study on the subject to achieve acceptable standards for peer review and quality. It does not prove that conversion therapy is successful, but does suggest that those deeply motivated by faith concerns have been able to move on a spectrum away from gay identity and towards celibacy, and even heterosexual attraction. Again, the findings suggest progress along a spectrum, not "cure" or 180-degree change.

http://agchurches.org/Sitefiles/Default/RSS/chaplaincy.ag.org/Resources/JSMT_Ex-Gay_Study_9-26-11_FINAL_Press_release-1%20%282%29.pdf

[MarginOfError]

This is an interesting article (I was able to access the full text article through work). If we forgive the authors' failure to adequately describe their statistical methods, it's a fairly well written article that acknowledges many of the important short comings of their work (none of which are fatal).

At the same time, some of their conclusions may be overstated. They measured strength of homosexual attraction on a five point scale calculated from subjective, self-reported surveys of strength of attraction. The average reduction in strength of homosexual attraction was less than one point. The clinical relevance of such a change, they correctly point out, is small. It's also more likely to be noise than any real effect. At the same time, the personal significance of subject-specific change is another matter. (This is an indication that orientation shifts are a highly personal issue and probably not well suited to generalized programs anyway).

As far as the process not causing harm, again, the reductions in distress are quite modest and probably not clinically meaningful. It's also unclear how much of the reductions in stress can be attributed to change in orientation and how much can be attributed to long term participation in a group that accepts them and shares common interests.

From my own biases, I'm glad to see that they measured homosexual attraction on a continuum, as I think that makes far more sense. I don't entirely agree with the statement that sexual orientation can't be changed, but I do still think it's much harder (and that shifts are much smaller) that this article suggests in the conclusions.

I also think it is important to note that this study was performed over participants that were fairly motivated up front, and were accepted and included in their faith communities even while they were undergoing the process and occasionally giving in to homosexual temptations. The social consequences of set backs were somewhat small. Distress would probably be higher among a group of people that underwent conversion out of fear of ostracism*.

Overall, I think it's a worthwhile contribution and one that I hope helps open more discussions between sides.

*That isn't to say that people who want to change their orientation shouldn't try, but to say that if it is going to work, they need to know that they will be accepted even if they don't succeed.

[Guest]

*That isn't to say that people who want to change their orientation shouldn't try, but to say that if it is going to work, they need to know that they will be accepted even if they don't succeed.

I believe that's where we, as a faith society, have made leaps of improvement on, I think.

[Vort]

*That isn't to say that people who want to change their orientation shouldn't try, but to say that if it is going to work, they need to know that they will be accepted even if they don't succeed.

I don't understand what it means to "be accepted". As far as I know, homosexuals have never been marched out of Church meetings and told not to come back. Our doctrines are certainly not accepting of the sin of homosexual conduct. Can you give some examples of how homosexuals are (or should) be accepted but that perhaps they are not?

[prisonchaplain]

What was encouraging about this study is the relatively positive comments by past APA leaders, given that the professional association has mostly refused any consideration of conversion therapies.

I can't imagine being deeply attracted to an intimacy that I believed my God and faith prohibited. LBGT folk say, "Well, imagine your church banned heterosexual relationships." Yeah, I can try, but it's all head. I know the right answer: strive for chastity, and hold out hope for a change. It must be a hard road to travel though. Perhaps now it is even harder, because society says that we should act out on our desires to be fulfilled, rather than succumbing to ancient prejudices that are included in some religious texts. This ranks right up there with that love your enemy stuff.

[Soulsearcher]

What was encouraging about this study is the relatively positive comments by past APA leaders, given that the professional association has mostly refused any consideration of conversion therapies.

I can't imagine being deeply attracted to an intimacy that I believed my God and faith prohibited. LBGT folk say, "Well, imagine your church banned heterosexual relationships." Yeah, I can try, but it's all head. I know the right answer: strive for chastity, and hold out hope for a change. It must be a hard road to travel though. Perhaps now it is even harder, because society says that we should act out on our desires to be fulfilled, rather than succumbing to ancient prejudices that are included in some religious texts. This ranks right up there with that love your enemy stuff.

For my personal experience, being chastity really wasn't what was being suggested, the current climate has helped rather than hindered. For me it was either be straight or don't exist. When time after time things didn't change, and frustration and despair finally took over i found more comfort in a society that was more accepting vs what i had grown with. My mom and i were talking about it today and she said she's been reflecting since i came out to her and she doesn't know how i made it through with two strong conservative religions in the family and the stigma that existed where i lived. She never heard the call for chastity til very recent years, she heard the "it's a choice and they don't change because they don't want to and won't put in any effort" statements as i did for so many years.

[prisonchaplain]

I'm guessing that in the past conservative LDS or evangelicals would attempt chastity, but would remain closeted. Your experience of finding no support or outlet for understanding was probably nearly universal prior to the 1990s.

[Soulsearcher]

I'm guessing that in the past conservative LDS or evangelicals would attempt chastity, but would remain closeted. Your experience of finding no support or outlet for understanding was probably nearly universal prior to the 1990s.

I'd say closer to the turn of the century to be honest. While teachings and some attitudes started to change in the 90's, most of it didn't filter down, and then also as movements grew so did resistance to a change in tact. The push back and resistance was understandable but it did send some mixed signals, as it still does though communication is getting better and clearer. Also the message of chastity vs change is much clearer today than it ever was.

[prisonchaplain]

SS, I'm recalling an ministers' meeting I attended in South Florida, in the late 90s (you are right--turn of the century). One of our "home missionaries" (ministers who either operate small churches that are starting or local non-profit outreaches) presented his ministry of running a hospice for AIDS patients in the Key West area. He said that at the time most people were still too scared to care for such people, but that it sent a great message of love and reconciliation to a group that has felt rejected by us. I really thought this was great. It also confirms your sense of the timing.

[Traveler]

SS, I'm recalling an ministers' meeting I attended in South Florida, in the late 90s (you are right--turn of the century). One of our "home missionaries" (ministers who either operate small churches that are starting or local non-profit outreaches) presented his ministry of running a hospice for AIDS patients in the Key West area. He said that at the time most people were still too scared to care for such people, but that it sent a great message of love and reconciliation to a group that has felt rejected by us. I really thought this was great. It also confirms your sense of the timing.

In general I approach such research with a great deal of skepticism. My personal research indicates that sexual behaviors are highly addictive cognitive behaviors and as such should be treated as an addiction. I also believe all cognitive behaviors can be modified - I believe this is a proven scientific fact. However, the modifications necessary for highly addictive behaviors are often deemed draconian; especially if the addict is not compliant or only partially compliant with modifying their behavior.

Often an addictive person will express compliant desires based on social pressures rather than actual personal desire. This is often very frustrating for those in the social circle supporting cause for change.

One interesting aspect of cognitive behaviors is that as we repeat cognitive behaviors they seem to become easier - this is because we in essence rewire our brain to perform the cognitive functions with greater ease. Thus any repeated cognitive behaviors become conditioned responses or habits. One problem with changing our cognitive behaviors is that the previous wiring always remains present - so with addictive behaviors a trigger can divert a person to a previous behavior unless it is cognitively overridden. This is why if a person does not themselves want and force a behavioral change - they will slip or fall back into certain behaviors.

The Traveler