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'Gays' Can Change, Psychiatrist Tells APA 5/9/2001 The psychiatrist who played a key role in his profession’s removal of homosexuality from its list of disorders nearly three decades ago has just released his own study showing that some homosexuals can change their desires to heterosexual. Robert Spitzer, M.D., who helped remove homosexuality from the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic Manual’s list of disorders in 1973, studied 200 men and women who reported changing their desires from homosexual to heterosexual for five years and longer. The National Association for Reparative Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) unveiled the study on May 9 at the annual American Psychiatric Association (APA) convention in New Orleans. “Contrary to conventional wisdom, some highly motivated individuals, using a variety of change efforts, can make substantial change in multiple indicators of sexual orientation,” Spitzer said. “Like most psychiatrists, I thought that homosexual behavior could not be resisted and that no one could really change their sexual orientation. I now believe that to be false. Some people can and do change.” Spitzer had mentioned that he might be willing to reassess his 1973 position after attending a Washington press conference held by Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays in 1999. He then suggested that the APA should debate the topic. Spitzer attempted to hold a panel discussion at the next APA convention, but pro-homosexual activists in the APA scuttled the event. Bob Davies, executive director of Exodus International, an umbrella group for ministries that help people overcome homosexuality, told Culture and Family Institute (CFI), “I’m very thrilled to see this. Somebody of Dr. Spitzer’s stature has finally been willing to admit the truth about the possibility of change.” Davies said that other studies demonstrating change had been discounted because people identified with Christian organizations had conducted them. “They can’t accuse Dr. Spitzer of that bias, so this strengthens the credibility of the study.” In 1974, the American Psychological Association, following the lead of the psychiatrists, also adopted a resolution removing homosexuality from its list of disorders. Since then, homosexual activists have promoted the idea that people are born “gay,” cannot change, and that “sexual orientation” is, therefore, akin to skin color, ethnicity and other traits that have been accorded special protection in civil rights laws. This view has led to school programs that target children believed to be innately “gay.” Such programs discount any moral objections to homosexuality, and openly promote the idea that homosexuality is natural, healthy and desirable. Pro-family groups like Concerned Women for America have long argued that sexual conduct, unlike skin color, has moral implications and that “gay rights” laws result in discrimination against people who believe that homosexuality is wrong. Over the past decade, a few heavily publicized studies purporting to show a genetic cause for homosexuality have been discredited, yet media outlets consistently report that “growing scientific evidence” shows a biological basis for homosexuality. Yvette Schneider, a policy consultant for CFI and a former lesbian, says that this study changes everything. “Dr. Spitzer has proven through a clinical study what we who have left homosexuality have known for years: homosexuality is a changeable behavior. Those who are currently involved in homosexuality have the right to know that they too can change.” As a former lesbian activist, Schneider knows what Spitzer is up against. She agrees with Davies who said that Spitzer “is likely to come under immense pressure from ‘gays’ to retract his study. This will reveal that many in the gay community are really not interested in objective scientific truth.” ACTION: Prayer for Dr. Spitzer, as he is likely to come under attack by homosexual activists who are furious at this challenge to the “born-that-way” myth, which is the cornerstone of “gay” activism. Pray that people struggling with homosexual desires will learn about this study and contact Exodus International, Regeneration, P-FOX, Kerusso Ministries and other groups that are helping individuals and families cope with homosexuality from a Christian perspective. Pray for these ministries. Make this information available to your school board and other public officials who are dealing with the “gay” issue. Robert H. Knight is the director of the Culture and Family Institute, an affiliate of Concerned Women for America. Mr. Knight wrote and directed the Family Research Council video documentary “Hope and Healing” about recovery from homosexuality. |
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