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You Can’t Pray the Gay Away

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https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/...-gay-away/

EXCERPT: Tolerance for the full spectrum of human sexuality has made great strides. LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) issues are frequently in the news. Same-sex marriage is now legal in all U.S. states and in numerous other countries around the world. But in seventy-two countries, homosexuality is a crime, and in thirteen countries, gay acts are punishable by death. And in the United States, anti-LGBTQ hate crimes are on the rise.

Some psychotherapists and religious groups practice gay conversion therapy. They believe any non-heterosexual sexual orientation is a pathology that can be cured. They are wrong. It isn’t pathological and sexual orientation doesn’t change with treatment. In recognition of these facts, gay conversion therapy (GCT) for minors is now banned in eighteen states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. It has also been banned in several other countries in Asia, Europe, Oceania, and the Americas. Adults can still legally engage in this debunked practice.

[...] Religious groups have claimed it is possible to “Pray the Gay Away.” In addition to prayer, other techniques that have been tried have included icepick lobotomies, chemical castration with hormones, aversive treatments like electroshock to the hands or genitals, nausea-inducing drugs administered with homoerotic stimuli, masturbatory conditioning, the use of commercial sex workers, marriage to an opposite sex partner, counselling, visualization, social skills training, psychoanalytic therapy, and group support. Some treatments have coerced a decrease in same-sex behavior, but no treatment has been successful in eliminating homosexual feelings or changing sexual orientation. There were studies that claimed success, but they were flawed and not properly controlled. Researcher Robert Spitzer repudiated and retracted his study about changing sexual orientation, stating “I was quite wrong in the conclusions that I made from this study. The study does not provide evidence, really, that gays can change.” He apologized, calling it his only professional regret.

Many former conversion therapists have recanted and offered public apologies to their victims. In an ironic but predictable twist, some of the most prominent have turned out to be gay themselves...

[...] A 2018 study of young adults whose parents sent them to conversion therapists found that the interventions were associated with depression, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, less educational attainment, and less weekly income. Conversion therapy exploits guilt and anxiety, damages self-esteem, and can cause social harm. [...] Sexual orientation can’t be changed. Gay conversion therapy doesn’t work, causes harm, is unethical, and is illegal for minors in many jurisdictions. (MORE - details)
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