from NARTH - APA Highlights

Fair Treatment for Ex-gays?

Are Ex-gays or Clients Seeking to Become Ex-gay
Deserving of the Same Respect as Other LGBT Clients?

At this year's APA convention, participants in one symposium discussed revisions for the LGB Draft Guidelines for treatment. As one of the speakers, a former Division 44 president, spoke of her concerns for bi-sexual clients, her concerns sounded very applicable to ex-gay clients or clients seeking to become ex-gay. In the spirit of respect for diversity, it seems quite obvious that the needs of ex-gays should be recognized in the same way that the needs of other LGBT clients are recognized. Consider the following points made in this particular symposium.

1. The speaker quoted Draft Guideline 15, which states, "Psychologists are encouraged to recognize the particular challenges that bisexual individuals face." She went on to describe those challenges, including the following.
   
   
1. She said bisexual clients face a greater stigma and more prejudice. Many ex-gays would report a similar experience, in that they receive judgment from heterosexuals as well as homosexuals, often feeling misunderstood by both groups.
2. She said that bisexuals "often have to come out twice: once as non-heterosexual and once as bisexual". Ex-gays face the same challenge of coming out twice: once as non-heterosexual and again as heterosexual.
3. She said that bisexuals are "faced with stereotypical labels". This statement is also applicable to ex-gays.
   
   
2. She quoted Draft Guideline 6, which states, "Psychologists strive to recognize the unique experiences...and strive to meet the unique needs of bisexuals." I would add that therapists should strive to meet the unique needs of their clients who want to make changes in their sexual adaptation.
   
   
3. She said that therapists are "encouraged to adopt a more accurate and complete understanding" of this population. It seems that therapist should also adopt a more accurate and complete understanding of the ex-gay population. In all honesty, neither an accurate, nor complete understanding of ex-gays or religious clients who seek change seems to exist within Division 44 of the APA.
   
   
4. She said that therapists should "strive to understand biases, keeping in mind that therapy with bisexuals may differ from therapy with gays". Perhaps therapists should strive to understand their biases regarding ex-gays and religious clients seeking change.
   
   
5. She said that therapists should "familiarize themselves with local, regional, and national resources for bisexuality". Would this include familiarizing themselves with resources for ex-gays or religious clients seeking change?

In a follow-up letter to the leaders of this symposium, I have asked them whether or not they agree that ex-gays should have the same support from the APA as other sexually diverse groups. If not, I've asked them to explain their position. If so, I've asked them to consider amending their guidelines by including the same respect for those clients who are dissatisfied with their homosexual orientation and are seeking change or have already sought change. In a culture where tolerance and respect for diversity are highly esteemed values, it would seem quite clear that mutual respect should also be extended for ex-gays and clients seeking change. To offer anything less, would represent a clear bias, one which contradicts the very notion of tolerance and respect for diversity.