The American Psychological Association (APA) has passed a resolution stating that mental health professionals should avoid telling clients that they can change their sexual orientation through reparative therapy, sometimes referred to as conversion or ex-gay therapy.

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The APA strongly states that homosexuality is not a mental disorder and removed homosexuality from the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental Disorders) in 1973.

While the APA has also had a resolution repudiating reparative therapy since 1997, the new ‘Resolution on Appropriate Affirmative Responses to Sexual Orientation Distress and Change Efforts’ goes further by outlining principles for psychologists dealing with gay, lesbian or bisexual clients that may be struggling with their sexual orientation.

Principals include opposing all portrayals of lesbian, gay and bisexual people as mentally ill and in need of treatment due to their sexual orientation, and respecting the rights of individuals to self-determination and autonomy.

The resolution was passed at the APA annual convention, at which a six-member task force presented their report examining the efficiency of sexual orientation change efforts.

The task force, established in 2007, had been reviewing 83 studies on sexual orientation change conducted since 1960.

‘Contrary to claims of sexual orientation change advocates and practitioners, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of psychological interventions to change sexual orientation,’ said Judith M. Glassgold, Psy.D, chair of the task force.

The task force recommended that licensed mental health care providers help their same-sex attracted clients explore possible life paths that address the reality of their sexual orientation.

‘Practitioners can assist clients through therapies that do not attempt to change sexual orientation, but rather involve acceptance, support and identity exploration and development without imposing a specific identity outcome,’ said Glassgold.

The Australian Psychological Society (APS) also has a position statement condemning the use of reparative therapy. Similar to the APA statement it recommends that ‘ethical practitioners refrain from attempts to change individuals’ sexual orientation’.

Dr Damien Riggs is a member of the APS and the national convenor of the Gay and Lesbian Issues and Psychology Interest Group. He told OUTinPerth that psychologists should be working with same-sex attracted clients to help them come to terms with their sexuality.

‘The APS statement says very clearly that it’s about supporting people to have the best outcomes, not changing people’s sexual orientation,’ he said.

According to Riggs, the practice of reparative or conversion therapy can be psychologically damaging.

‘As a practitioner myself, what you do with clients is you affirm people. You say: you are a person of worth, you are a person of value, your life has meaning, you have the right to have a happy life, whereas what conversion therapy is saying to people is: you are wrong, you are broken, there is something bad about you, if you become this person then you’ll be an ok person.’

While not as high-profile as American-run groups such as Exodus International, there are a number of organisations in Australia that still offer reparative therapies.

Anthony Venn-Brown is a former high-profile Pentecostal preacher who was told he needed to go to ‘rehab’ for his feelings of same-sex attraction.

‘I went to Australia’s first ex-gay program back in 1970,’ Venn-Brown explained.

‘It didn’t make me straight. In fact it was quite abusive.

‘I was in a live-in program for 6 months. Then after I came out of that I was married for 16 years, believing that eventually all evidences of my same-sex orientation would disappear, but of course it didn’t.’

In his 2004 autobiography, ‘A Life of Unlearning’ Venn-Brown talks candidly about his experiences and has worked with people affected by the ex-gay movement for nine years.

‘I still get emails every week from people who have come out of these programs. It’s very sad,’ he said.

‘One guy attempted suicide three times while he was in a program. Some have suffered from mental health issues, one became bi-polar- the intensity of the cognitive dissonance is enormous.’

Venn-Brown is the co-founder and convener of Freedom B b[e], an organisation that offers support, information and contacts to GLBTI people from Pentecostal or Charismatic backgrounds, many of whom are ‘ex-gay survivors’.

Recently approximately 20 people protested outside a ‘gay conversion’ conference in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. Religious groups affiliated with Exodus International organised the conference at which ‘expert’ speakers told of how unwanted homosexuality can be cured by the power of Jesus Christ.

Photos courtesy of Southern Star