I haven't seen this on Feministing yet. The American Psychology Association recently announced that so-called "reparative therapy" which aims to help gay men and lesbians change their sexual orientation. You can see the full NYT article here , but some highlights include:
"In a resolution adopted by the association’s governing council, and in an accompanying report, the association issued its most comprehensive repudiation of so-called reparative therapy, a concept espoused by a small but persistent group of therapists, often allied with religious conservatives, who maintain that gay men and lesbians can change. No solid evidence exists that such change is likely, says the resolution, adopted by a 125-to-4 vote. The association said some research suggested that efforts to produce change could be harmful, inducing depression and suicidal tendencies ."
"Judith Glassgold, a psychologist in Highland Park, N.J., who led the panel, said she hoped the document could help calm the polarized debate between religious conservatives who believe in the possibility of changing sexual orientation and the many mental health professionals who reject that option. 'Both sides have to educate themselves better," Ms. Glassgold said. “The religious psychotherapists have to open up their eyes to the potential positive aspects of being gay or lesbian. Secular therapists have to recognize that some people will choose their faith over their sexuality.'"
I find the dialogue between psychotherapy and faith very interesting, and although I'm thrilled that the APA has officially declared that gayness can't be fixed by therapy, I'm having mixed reactions to the article. There is still a huge number of religious organizations that consider being gay a form of mental illness, or think that sexual orientation is a choice. This is a big step in a good direction, but obviously more neds to be done.
What are Feministers thoughts on this?
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Yeah, this is definitely a step. But I agree, more work needs to be done. I actually had no idea that the APA was not that long ago still including this type of psychotherapy as a legitimate practice. Along those same lines, in the DSM IV, the APA's big book of disorders, they still include gender dysphoria as an illness. Sadly this means that those in the transgender community are still being pathologized by the APA. This can have harmful effects on those who decide to undergo sex reassignment surgery due to the fact that most doctors require these individuals to seek the approval of a therapist first. These institutions are in need of some serious evaluation, but I'm glad to see that change is underway. Thanks for posting this!
I thought the APA denounced it in 1998 saying it was bad for self-esteem.
Will power can still make me tall though, right?
thanks