CHRISTIAN GROUP CLAIMS NATION'S TOP PSYCHOLOGIST ENDORSES EX-GAY THERAPY

The Christian fundamentalist news service, LifeSite has just issued a press release  claiming that the current president of the American Psychological Association, Dr. Gerald P. Koocher, broke with the APA'a long-held stance against ex-gay "therapy", saying that the APA would now support so-called psychological therapy for those experiencing "unwanted homosexual attractions."

According to the LifeSite press release:

"Speaking with National Association for the Therapy and Treatment of Homosexuality President Joseph Nicolosi at the APA’s annual convention in New Orleans, Dr. Koocher stated, “APA has no conflict with psychologists who help those distressed by unwanted homosexual attraction.” Dr. Koocher emphasized that so long as patient autonomy and choice were respected, the APA’s Code of Ethics would certainly encompass psychological treatment of those who wish to be free of homosexual attraction."

Obviously, this claim is completely contrary to official statements out of the APA which have clearly stated that "the scientific validity of reparative therapy for homosexuals is unfounded and insupportable."

“The APA’s concern about the positions espoused by NARTH and so-called conversion therapy is that they are not supported by the science,” APA Public Affairs Manager Pamela Willenz recently stated. “There is simply no sufficiently scientifically sound evidence that sexual orientation can be changed.”

Clinton Anderson, director of the APA Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Concerns Office, added that there is “no evidence” that reparative therapies work, and said “they may in fact cause harm for many people.”

Of course, neither Christians nor ex-gay advocates lie. After all Jesus would escort them straight to hell for doing so.

So I contacted Dr. Koocher's office to discuss his alleged betrayal of his profession and association.

And it would appear, shock of shocks, that the good people of NARTH are lying and once again trying to hoodwink the press and vulnerable and confused gay men and women.

Dr. Koocher stands by the APA policy statement that his office release earlier this month detailing what he actually said during a Town Hall meeting (and not in direct conversation with anyone from NARTH) in response to a question from the floor. 

The emphasis in the following statement as represented by "BUT" and "MUST" is his own, not mine.

"In a full multifaceted therapeutic relationship, the therapist has every duty to respond to patient choice and to help patients achieve their goals.  I affirmed during the Town Hall discussion, and I will always affirm, the crucial importance of providing our services with careful attention to patient's wishes.

BUT--and this is absolutely essential, especially when dealing with sexual orientation--the therapeutic responsibility, in strict accordance with APA guidelines, MUST also include the following considerations:

One: The therapist has an obligation to carefully explore how patients arrive at the choice they want to make.  Therapists must determine whether patients understand that their motives may arise purely from the social pressures of a homophobic environment.  No type or amount of individual therapy will modify prejudices.

Two; Informed consent:  Patients must understand the potential consequences of any treatment, including those intended to modify sexual orientation.  Patients must understand that such treatments lack a validated scientific foundation and may prove psychologically harmful.

Finally, I would add that our patients ought to know from the very start that we as their therapists do not consider homosexuality a mental disorder.  The American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders in 1973.  In 1975, the American Psychological Association publicly supported this move, stating that "homosexuality per se implies no impairment in judgment, reliability or general social and vocational capabilities...(and mental health professionals should) take the lead in removing the stigma of mental illness long associated with homosexual orientation."

In a nutshell, LifeSite and NARTH have once again brazenly lied and done deliberate harm to the cause of mental health and civil rights in this nation.

Occasionally I wonder if there is legal ground from which to mount some kind of class action lawsuit against these abominations that would result in financial reparations for all of us without our community who have been done terrible harm by the dishonest, immoral and unethical actions.  Surely, they are no less guilty of doing harm than the tobacco industry.

At the very least some kind of "cigarettes-like" disclaimer should be tattooed on each and every one of their foreheads.

WARNING:  FUNDAMENTALIST CHRISTIANS AND EX-GAY THERAPISTS MAY BE HARMFUL TO YOUR HEALTH AND LEAD TO CHRONIC DEPRESSION, SELF-DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR AND ULTIMATELY SUICIDE.

Comments

[GAYTWOGETHER]

The Christian Right is neither!