Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Researcher Says Homosexuals Can Change
Agape Press ^ | 12/11/03 | Ed Vitagliano

Posted on 12/11/2003 7:30:32 AM PST by truthandlife

A controversial study has demonstrated that homosexuality is not necessarily a fixed sexual orientation, but that "gay" men and lesbians can change.

The research was conducted by Dr. Robert L. Spitzer, who in 1973 was one of the driving forces behind the psychiatric community's removal of homosexuality from its manual of mental disorders. The study was published in the October Archives of Sexual Behavior.

"Although examples of 'complete' change in orientation were not common, the majority of participants did report change from a predominantly or exclusively homosexual orientation before therapy to a predominantly or exclusively heterosexual orientation in the past year as a result of reparative therapy," said a statement from the National Association of Research and Therapy of Homosexuality, which examined the Spitzer data.

While the mental health community is opposed to "reparative therapy," by which a patient attempts to change his sexual orientation away from homosexuality, Spitzer said his colleagues need to take another look.

"Many patients, provided with informed consent about the possibility that they will be disappointed if the therapy does not succeed, can make a rational choice to work toward developing their heterosexual potential and minimizing their unwanted homosexual attractions," he said.


TOPICS: Extended News
KEYWORDS: exgays; homosexual; homosexualagenda; homosexuals; psychiatry; robertspitzer
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-37 next last

1 posted on 12/11/2003 7:30:32 AM PST by truthandlife
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: JoeSixPack1
There's hope for you yet. <|:)~
2 posted on 12/11/2003 7:32:03 AM PST by martin_fierro (Ohhh... ehhh... ¿Peeka Panish?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: truthandlife
Researcher Says Homosexuals Can Change

Maybe because its behavior-related and not birth-related! Gee, I wish someone would've paid me some money to come up with that conclusion.

3 posted on 12/11/2003 7:33:18 AM PST by BureaucratusMaximus (if we're not going to act like a constitutional republic...lets be the best empire we can be...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: truthandlife
Get ready to be flamed for posting an article that suggests that where one chooses to put his penis is in fact a choice.
4 posted on 12/11/2003 7:33:38 AM PST by Guillermo (George W. Bush is a Big Government liberal)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BureaucratusMaximus
Maybe because its behavior-related and not birth-related!

I have hunch it might be both...but there is a choice involved. there's nothing hardwired about going to bath houses.

5 posted on 12/11/2003 7:36:30 AM PST by the invisib1e hand (do not remove this tag under penalty of law.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: truthandlife
A controversial study has demonstrated that homosexuality is not necessarily a fixed sexual orientation, but that "gay" men and lesbians can change.

In related news, another controversial study has demonstrated that robbery is not necessarily a fixed moral orientation, but that thieves and burglars can change.

6 posted on 12/11/2003 7:37:49 AM PST by Smile-n-Win (Let the Right do what's right, and the Left will be left behind.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Guillermo
=:-) -:

yuk...

7 posted on 12/11/2003 7:39:07 AM PST by demlosers (light wieght and flexible - radiation shielding is solved.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Smile-n-Win
Should say "change back" to what nature intended.
8 posted on 12/11/2003 7:40:00 AM PST by Sacajaweau (God Bless Our Troops!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: martin_fierro
You gotta stop fantasizing about me, you homo!
9 posted on 12/11/2003 7:43:11 AM PST by JoeSixPack1 (POW/MIA Bring 'em Home, Or Send us Back!! Semper Fi)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: truthandlife
But why should they? They've been embraced by the legal community, the bi-sexual community, the metrosexuals, the entertainment industry, and so on.
10 posted on 12/11/2003 7:44:07 AM PST by sarasota
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JoeSixPack1; martin_fierro
why am in not surprised to find you two spooning in here..?
11 posted on 12/11/2003 7:44:15 AM PST by xsmommy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: sarasota
Maybe because it is an extremely unhealthy (eotionally and physically) lifestyle?

If any other behavior presented as much of a health risk as homoesxual behavior does, the Government would be regulating it.
12 posted on 12/11/2003 7:45:41 AM PST by Guillermo (George W. Bush is a Big Government liberal)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: truthandlife; scripter
These reports come out all the time (because they're true).

The interesting angle on this one is Dr. Spitzer, "one of the driving forces behind the psychiatric community's removal of homosexuality from its manual of mental disorders."

That destructive lie in 1973 is what opened the floodgates and permitted gay adoption, gay civil rights legislation and "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy."

What opened your foolish eyes, Dr. Spitzer?

13 posted on 12/11/2003 7:51:01 AM PST by Dr. Eckleburg (There are very few shades of gray.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: truthandlife
The research was conducted by Dr. Robert L. Spitzer, who in 1973 was one of the driving forces behind the psychiatric community's removal of homosexuality from its manual of mental disorders.

What a right-wing extremist. It's time to research his background and that of his family.

14 posted on 12/11/2003 7:53:47 AM PST by ElkGroveDan (Fighting for Freedom and Having Fun)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: xsmommy; JoeSixPack1
why am in not surprised to find you two spooning in here..?

That's not a spoon. It's two pillows.

15 posted on 12/11/2003 7:53:56 AM PST by martin_fierro (Ohhh... ehhh... ¿Peeka Panish?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: the invisib1e hand
Most researchers with balance considering the best studies en mass--that I've read--would guage that there's no more than a 10-20% predisposition from

1) chemical phenomena in the first trimester of pregnancy when the mother is under great stress

2) environmental parental factors such as the classic domineering, harsh, cold mother; cold, distant, harsh father

all can be particularly increased in impact when the

3) genetic composition of the son is of a more quiet, sensitive, tender hearted sort of personality.

YUP, CHOICE ABOUNDS even in the worst preconditioning contexts, set of contingencies.

But then, choice abounds with every cigarette, every extra twinkie, every can of beer beyond the first one (including the first one--for that matter; every mph over the speed limit; every lie to a spouse or the IRS; every abuse of an employee; every harshness with a family member or close friend; every avoidance of following through on a relationship or a commitment;

CHOICE abounds for all of us.
16 posted on 12/11/2003 7:55:34 AM PST by Quix (Choose this day whom U will serve: Shrillery & demonic goons or The King of Kings and Lord of Lords)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: the invisib1e hand
I have hunch it might be both...but there is a choice involved.

Agreed. Alcoholism is hereditary, and its destructive, however everyone with the potential to become an alcoholic doesn't. Some people who become alcoholics, with the help of a supportive society overcome it and return to normal life. Most amazingly, some people who never were predisposed to alcoholism, fall into it because of a sinful, self-aborbed lifestyle, or due to the urgings of others.

Could it be that the Lord created us with many different crosses to bear and that different people are faced with different weaknesses? Sadly our secular humanist society has seized upon one of these failings and decided to "celebrate" it.

Sinful addictions come in many forms, and as men and women with souls we have been given the ability to rise above our animal urges and overcome them.

17 posted on 12/11/2003 8:02:43 AM PST by ElkGroveDan (Fighting for Freedom and Having Fun)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: BureaucratusMaximus
Homosexuality has always been behavior that has been chosen, not physiology or even innate hard-wiring. Bad choice, to be sure, but a choice. And a choice that may be regretted and subsequently changed.

But it is a hard-wired part of human psychology, that a choice, once made, ought to be defended, wherein comes the conviction that the person who exhibits the behavior "can't help" his (or her) actions. Sexual activity falls into that category of behavior that is considered to be of at least partially voluntary nature, that is, to respond sexually may be involuntary, but to act upon it, or not, is an act of will.

Society cannot dictate what thoughts course through your mind. But society can, and does, demand that only a certain range of behavior be permitted, and deviation will be punished to whatever degree is agreeable to the greater part of society.
18 posted on 12/11/2003 8:02:58 AM PST by alloysteel
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: the invisib1e hand
I have hunch it might be both

No evidence exists for any genetic or birth related cause. Lots of evidence exists for a traumatic cause (molestation etc)

Read Scripter's database

19 posted on 12/11/2003 8:18:09 AM PST by John O (God Save America (Please))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: truthandlife
Has anyone ever thought that gays can't "change"?

IOW, is there anyone with the ability to reason who believes that a man has no choice in the matter when it comes to placing his penis in another man's farty anus?

Just don't do it. YUCK.

20 posted on 12/11/2003 8:22:17 AM PST by AAABEST
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-37 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson