On Friday, Marina Jimenez (Globe and Mail) reported that the American Psychological Association passed a resolution that refused to legitimise so-called ‘exgay’ ‘reparative therapy.’

The APA requested that its 150, 000 members not to tell lesbian and gay clients that sexual orientation can be “changed.” This followed an extensive review of eighty-three studies, conducted over four decades. They found no scientific evidence to back the Christian Right’s ‘ex-gay’ hypothesis, and the task force unanimously found that homosexuality was not a “mental illness” or “developmental disorder”:

“The research found that people couldn’t change their underlying attractions. They may perceive them differently once they have reframed their identity, but the attractions don’t change,” said Judith Glassgold, a psychologist and chair of the APA’s six-member task force.

The Task Force recommended that mental health professionals should be particularly careful not to condemn homosexuality in adolescents or children. Reliable research studies show that gay teens who feel rejected by their parents are particularly susceptible  to mental health problems. Parents should not reject their children and communicate regularly and supportively with them.

According to a report in the Associated Press, Wayne Besen, a gay rights activist who has sought to discredit the so-called “ex-gay” movement, applauded the APA’s report. “Ex-gay therapy is a profound travesty that has led to pointless tragedies,” he said.

Recommended:

Maria Jimenez: “Abandon gay change therapy, MDs told” Globe and Mail: 07.07.09: http:// www.theglobeandmail.com/…/abandon-gay-change-therapy…/article1244175/