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Cutting through the propaganda and myth....
Opinion: The APA's Biased Paper on Same-Sex Attraction and Therapy
Dale O’Leary
August 3, 2010 (LifeSite) -
The debate over therapy for same-sex attraction (SSA) and gender identity disorder (GID) has been going on for years. Recently, the APA put out a paper designed to resolve the issue. However, the introduction of the APA’s Task Force Report on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation defines the parameters for the discussion in such a way that the defenders of therapy for SSA and GID are positioned in the worst possible light. The issue is essentially decided in favor of gay-affirming therapy before the evidence is heard.
According to the introduction of the paper: “We see this multiculturally competent and affirmative approach as grounded in an acceptance of the following scientific facts.”
This is followed by five supposedly scientific facts that are presented for acceptance as the foundation for discussion. However, the five points are not universally accepted facts based on uncontroverted scientific evidence, but biased statements that obscure the facts. Here are the five so-called facts and the concerns they raise.
Five supposedly scientific facts
1) Same-sex sexual attractions, behavior, and orientations per se are normal and positive variants of human sexuality—in other words, they do not indicate either mental or developmental disorders.
The use the term "per se" confuses the issue. It is true that same-sex sexual attractions, behavior, and orientations are not in and of themselves (per se) indicative of anything. Given the variety of human behavior and attractions in different cultures, throughout history, and among the variety of mankind, nothing can be said about all persons with same-sex attraction, everyone who engages in same-sex behavior, or claims a particular sexual orientation. However, there is substantial evidence that same-sex attraction is a sequel of disturbed early childhood, in particular a failure to achieve a secure attachment to the mother1 and a failure to identify with the same sex parent and peers2. There is also evidence that persons with SSA are more likely to have been victims of childhood abuse,3 including sexual abuse,4 or other exposure to age inappropriate experiences. A number of well designed large sample studies have found that persons with SSA are more likely to suffer from psychological disorders, substance abuse problems,5 and suicidal ideation.6 Men who have sex with men are at high risk for contracting an STD, including HIV.7 While not every persons with SSA falls into these categories, a significant percentage do. There is on the other hand no replicated evidence that SSA is genetically or congenitally predetermined and therefore a natural and unchangeable variant.8 Therefore, it can be argued that there is evidence that SSA in some cases (or some might argue in most cases) is associated with a psychological or developmental disorder.
2) Homosexuality and bisexuality are stigmatized, and this stigma can have a variety of negative consequences (e.g., minority stress) throughout the life span.
Sexual acts between two persons of the same sex, along with adultery, fornication, and sexual paraphilias, are condemned by a number of religions as always contrary to God’s law. Since these religions are based on unchangeable revelation, these doctrines cannot be altered. Therefore, engaging in same-sex relations will always be considered by some as unacceptable. Love and compassion for those who struggle with temptation does not require acceptance of these behaviors. Freedom of religion protects the right of persons, who believe that homosexual acts are always wrong, to state their belief publicly and teach this conviction to their children without fear of discrimination. Such convictions are not bigoted, discriminatory, homophobic, or hate speech.
"Freedom of religion protects the right of persons, who believe that homosexual acts are always wrong, to state their belief publicly and teach this conviction to their children without fear of discrimination. Such convictions are not bigoted, discriminatory, homophobic, or hate speech . . ."
It is true that the realization that a significant portion of the community believes that a person’s behavior is not acceptable may make that person feel bad. Persons engaging in homosexual behavior may wish to silence those who disapprove. They may wish to have their behavior universally accepted; but so long as people have freedom of religion this situation will not change.
3) Same-sex sexual attractions and behavior occur in the context of a variety of sexual orientations and sexual orientation identities, and for some, sexual orientation identity (i.e., individual or group membership and affiliation, self-labeling) is fluid or has an indefinite outcome.
Gay activists would have us believe that SSA is a normal, and unchangeable variant, but numerous studies have found that SSA is fluid.9 If as the evidence shows it is possible for SSA and behavior to change spontaneously, then why can’t a person seek psychological therapy or spiritual counseling to affect a change in SSA or behavior?10
4) Gay men, lesbians, and bisexual individuals form stable, committed relationships and families that are equivalent to heterosexual relationships and families in essential respects.
Same sex relationships differ in many essential aspects from a marriage between a man and a woman. Two persons of the same sex cannot consummate a marriage - the one and only act that joins a man and a woman as one flesh. They cannot conceive a child that is the fruit of their union and their joint biological offspring. Every child acquired by a same-sex couple has been separated from one or both biological parents. Such a separation is perceived by the child as a loss. Every child raised by a same-sex couple lacks a parent of one or the other sex. Two persons of the same sex lack the psychological and emotional complementarity that is part of a husband and wife union. Finally, it is interesting to note that exclusivity is not considered essential for male couples.11
5) Some individuals choose to live their lives in accordance with personal or religious values (e.g., telic congruence).
Some individuals not only choose to live their lives according to God’s revealed law, but also believe that since truths of revelation and the truths discovered by science come from the same source, when both are properly understood they will agree. The term "values" degrades this belief into mere personal opinion; one person "values" one thing, another "values" something else. Those who believe in the congruence of revelation and science, reject this kind of relativism. They hold that it is possible through revelation and science to approach truth and that certain opinions are simply wrong. However, they respect the right of those who oppose them to be wrong and to defend their beliefs. While gay activists demand universal acceptance and affirmation for themselves, they use every method within their grasp to silence and marginalize those who disagree with them.
Those who defend therapy for adults with unwanted SSA and children with GID must make it clear that they do not accept the pseudo scientific facts proposed by the Task Force.
References:
1 Susan Bradley, Affect regulation and the development of psychopathology, (Guilford Press: NY, 2003).
2 Kenneth Zucker, Susan Bradley (1995) Gender Identity Disorder and Psychosexual Problems in Childhood and Adolescence (Guilford: NY); Susan Bradley, Kenneth Zucker (1998) “Drs. Bradley and Zucker reply,” Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 37 (3), p. 244-245; R. Friedman, L. Stern (1980) “Juvenile aggressivity and sissiness in homosexual and heterosexual males,” Journal of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis, 8 (3), p. 427-440; Irving Bieber et al. (1962) Homosexuality: A Psychoanalytical Study, (NY: Vintage Books); Elaine Seigle (1988) Female Homosexuality Choice without Volition (Hillsdale, NJ: Analytic Press) .
3 ___”Study explores multiple aspects of sexual orientation,” (July 22, 2010) http://www.otago.ac.nz/news/news/otago009976.html
4 Lynda Doll et al. (1992) “Self-reported childhood and adolescent sexual abuse among adult homosexual and bisexual men,” Child Abuse & Neglect, 16, p. 855-864. (Over 40% of adult homosexual and bisexual men in this study reported a history of sexual abuse.); R. Johnson, D. Shrier (1985) “Sexual victimization of boys: Experience at an adolescent medicine clinic,”, Journal of Adolescent Health Care, 6, p. 372-376; J. Siegel, et al. (1987) “The prevalence of childhood sexual assault: The Los Angeles epidemiological catchment area project,” American Journal of Epidemiology, 126 (6), p. 1141; Judith Bradford et al. (1994) “National Lesbian Health Care Survey: Implications for Mental Health Care,” Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 62 (2), p. 228-242: “41% of the sample reported that they had been raped or sexually attacked at least one in their lives.” Of those age 17 to 24 50% reported rape or sexual abuse; Gregory Dickson, DeanByrd (2006) "An empirical study of the mother-son dyad in relation to the development of male homosexuality," Journal of the Association of Mormon Counselors and Psychotherapists, 30: The study found that 49% of homosexual men versus 2% of heterosexual men had a history of sexual abuse.
5 Milton Wainberg et al. (2006) Crystal Meth and Men who Have Sex with Men:What mental health care professionals need to know, (NY: Haworth Medical Press); ; Sean Esteban McCabe et al (2005) "Assessment of Difference in Dimensions of Sexual Orientation: Implications for Substance Use Research in a College-Age Population," Journal of Studies on Alcohol, 66, p. 602-629
6 Richard Herrell et al. (1999) "Sexual Orientation and Suicidality," Archives of General Psychiatry, 56 (10) p. 867-874; Susan Cochran, Vicky Mays (2007) "Physical Health Complaints among Lesbians, Gay Men, and Bisexual and Homosexually Experienced Heterosexual Individuals: Results from the California Quality of Life Survey," American Journal of Public Health, April 26, http://www.ajph.org; Stephen Gilman et al. (2001) "Risk of Psychiatric Disorders among Individuals Reporting Same-Sex Sexual Partners in a National Comorbidity Survey," American Journal of Public Health, June, 91 (6), p. 933-939; Keren Skegg, et al. (2003) "Sexual Orientation and Self-Harm in Men and Women," American Journal of Psychiatry, 160 (3), p. 541-546; Theo Sandfort et al. (2006) "Sexual orientation and mental and physical health status," American Journal of Public Health, June, 96 (6), p. 1119-25; Kimberly F. Balsam et al. (August, 2005) "Mental Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Heterosexual Siblings: Effects of Gender, Sexual Orientation, and Family," Journal of Abnormal Psychology: "LGB's [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexuals] ... use mental health services more and are at higher risk for suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and self-injurious behavior than are heterosexual siblings."
7 Perry Halkitis, Leo Wilton, Jack Drescher, ed. (2005) Barebacking: Psychosocial and Public Health Approaches, (NY: Haworth Medical Press): Lawrence Altman, (2008) "H.I.V. Study Finds Rate 40% Higher Than Estimated," New York Times, August 3: According to Dr. Philip Alcabes, an epidemiologist at Hunter College, "it looks like prevention campaigns make even less difference than anyone thought."
8 John de Cecco, David Parker, ed. (1995) Sex, Cells, and Same-Sex Desire: The Biology of Sexual Preference, (NY: Harrington Park Press).
9 Edward Lauman et al. (1994) The Social Organization of Sexuality: Sexual Practices in the United States, (Chicago: University of Chicago); K. K. Kinnish, et al. (2005) "Sexual Differences in the Flexibility of Sexual Orientation: A Multidimensional Retrospective Assessment," Archives of Sexual Behavior, 34 (2), p. 173-83; Nigel Dickson, et al. (2003) "Same-sex attraction in a birth cohort: prevalence and persistence in early adulthood, Social Science & Medicine, 56, p. 1607-1615; Lisa Diamond, (2000) "Sexual identity, attraction and behavior among young sexual minority women over a two year period, Developmental Psychology, 36 (2) p. 241-250; Lisa Diamond, (2008) "Female sexuality from adolescence to adulthood: Results from a 10-year longitudinal study," Developmental Psychology, 44(1) p. 5-14.
10 Robert Spitzer, (2006) "Can Some Gay Men and Lesbians Change Their Sexual Orientation? 200 Participants Reporting a Change from Homosexual to Heterosexual Orientation," in J. Frescher, K. Zucker, eds., Ex-Gay research: Analyzing the Spitzer Study and Its Relation to Science, Religion, Politics, and Culture, (NY: Harrington House) p. 35-66; Stanton Jones, Mark Yarhouse, (2007) Ex-Gays' A Longitudinal Study of Religiously Mediated Change in Sexual Orientation, (Intervarsity Press: Downers Grove IL); Irving Bieber et al. (1962) Homosexuality: A Psychoanalytical Study, (NY: Vintage Books); Elaine Seigle (1988) Female Homosexuality Choice without Volition (Hillsdale, NJ: Analytic Press) .
11 Kristen Bonello, Malcolm Cross, "Gay monogamy: I love you but I can't have sex only with you," Journal of Homosexuality, (2010) 57, (1), pp.117-139; Collen Hoff, The Gay Couples Study
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