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from Gay Activism in the Schools
NARTH's Response to "Just the Facts
about Sexual Orientation and Youth"
"There can be no simple appeal to the 'facts,'
for factuality cannot be considered apart from
a philosophy by which the facts are interpreted."
Just recently, a coalition including the National Education Association
and American Psychological Association issued a pamphlet called "Just
the Facts" to every school superintendent in the country.
The coalition's aim was as follows:
- to advise schools against sexual-reorientation therapy.
- to warn educators that on-campus gay clubs must be accepted;
- to caution schools about scientific literature, such as NARTH's, that presents heterosexuality as normative.
"Aren't gay-affirming school programs
necessary because they keep schools safe?"
Without question, the aim of gay-affirmative counseling programs is
humanitarian. They are responding to a problem of scapegoating which
schools must address.
But the problem is, while claiming only to discourage scapegoating,
gay-affirming programs do much more. In reality, they promote a
particular worldview, complete with truth claims that students are
expected to adopt--lest they become the scapegoats, as victims of these
programs' insistence on conformity. These programs promote the value
systems of a particular social group and denigrate the views of another,
while at the same time, distorting science.
"But doesn't science tell us that homosexuals are 'born that way'?"
"Just the Facts" implies that there is a distinct population of gay,
lesbian and bisexual students who were "born that way" and cannot
change. But there is no evidence that shows that homosexuality is
simply "genetic."
"Gay gene" researcher Dr. Dean Hamer (himself a gay man) was asked by
Scientific American if homosexuality was rooted solely in
biology. He replied:
"Absolutely not. From twin studies, we already know that half or more of
the variability in sexual orientation is not inherited.
Brain researcher and gay activist Dr. Simon LeVay--whose study of the
hypothalamus in homosexuals made international headlines--now admits:
"At this point, the most widely held opinion [on causation of
homosexuality] is that multiple factors play a role."
Concludes psychiatrist Jeffrey Satinover:
"There is no evidence that shows that homosexuality is genetic--and none
of the research itself claims there is. Only the press and certain
researchers do, when speaking in sound bites to the public."
Contrary to the "born that way" myth, scientific evidence links
homosexuality to social and parental influences--including certain
family patterns, same-sex peer problems, childhood molestation, and peer
labelling--combined in varying degrees with biological predisposition in
some people.
Because homosexuality is not simply genetic, it is subject to
modification through counseling or psychotherapy.
"Gay youth suicide is epidemic. What should we do?"
Gay activist Paul Gibson first promoted the idea that gays account for
30% of all youth suicide. Although this figure has since been
discredited as seriously inflated, it is still used as justification for
introducing gay-affirming school programs.
"Just the Facts" correctly points out that there are particular problems
facing the adolescent experiencing same-sex attractions. Scapegoating
and teasing can be cruel and destructive. Indeed, family disruption
and suicidal ideation are more common among sexually confused teenagers.
But we believe that early self-labeling as "gay" will not solve the
problems facing such a teenager.
One major concern is the public-health risk inherent in early
self-labeling. The premature sexual behavior which accompanies gay
self-labeling is potentially life-threatening for gay males, and
educational programs have not resolved the unsafe-sex problem.
The gay subculture into which such teenagers are directed has a high
rate of depression, substance abuse, alcoholism, anonymous sex, and
unsafe sex practices. Few teens possess the judgment and self-control
to make wise decisions in such an environment.
According to one estimate, by the age of thirty, 30% of gay men will be
HIV-positive or dead of AIDS.
The National Lesbian and Gay Health Association (NLGHA) reports that gay
men acquite sexually transmitted diseases--other than AIDS--at a rate
2.5 times higher than heterosexual men.
Rather than affirming teens as gay, counselors should affirm them as
individuals, but encourage them to wait to adulthood to make choices
about sexuality.
Most parents prefer to have their child grow up heterosexual. This
attitude implies not homophobia, but a realistic assessment of
comparative lifestyles. In its 1999 report, "Health Implications
Associated with Homosexuality," the Medical Institute for Sexual Health
finds an alarmingly high rate of the following health problems
associated with homosexual practice:
- STDs
- HIV/AIDS
- Traumatic rectal/intestinal injury
- Hepatitis
- Human Papillomavirus/genital warts
- Herpes
- Other Viral and Nonviral STDs
- Gonorrhea
As the Medical Institute's report reveals, both gay men and lesbians
have a higher rate of substance abuse (alcohol, tobacco and drugs) than
do heterosexuals. Gay men have a greater number of lifetime sexual
partners. Significant numbers of gay men are victims of physical
violence, and both homosexual men and women are over-represented among
groups with certain psychological problems.
"What do psychotherapists say about sexual-orientation change?"
"Just the Facts" fails to reveal that many respected professionals
disagree with their point-of-view about the importance of
self-determination and choice in counseling.
The research and clinical experience of NARTH's professional membership
reveals that change is possible. NARTH believes that
clients--including teenagers--have the right to consider all the
options.
Robert Spitzer, M.D., the psychiatrist who is called the "architect of
the 1973 diagnostic manual" that normalized homosexuality, recently
expressed serious concern about the movement against
sexual-reorientation therapy:
"I'm convinced from people I have interviewed...many of them...have made
substantial changes toward becoming heterosexual. I came to this study
skeptical. I now claim that these changes can be sustained."
About exclusive homosexuality, he conceded, "I think, implicitly, there
is something not working."
Dr. Raymond Fowler, CEO of the American Psychological Association, says
that his interpretation of the APA's position on reparative therapy is
that those who wish to explore developing heterosexual feelings or
behavior have a right to do so as part of every client's right to
self-determination.
Dr. Brent Scharman, former president of the Utah Psychological
Association, considers himself a "typical" psychologist--not an activist
on either side of the homosexual issue--and he says that all homosexual
individuals should have the right to pursue change. It is the client,
he says, who should determine the direction of the treatment.
Dr. Warren Throckmorton, immediate past president of the American Mental
Health Counselors Association, studied a broad cross-section of research
on sexual-orientation change. He says such treatment has been
effective, can be conducted in an ethical manner, and should be
available to those clients requesting such assistance.
Dr. Martin Seligman, 1998 President of the American Psychological
Association, cites research in his book What You Can Change and What You
Can't that is optimistic about change for those who have had fewer
homosexual experiences and/or some bisexual feelings.
In a recent paper in the premiere academic journal Psychotherapy, and
again in the American Journal of Family Therapy, Dr. Mark Yarhouse of
Regent University made a powerful case for such therapy:
"Psychologists have an ethical responsibility to allow individuals to
pursue treatment aimed at curbing experiences of same-sex
attraction...not only because it affirms the clients' right to dignity,
autonomy and agency...but also because it demonstrates regard for
diversity."
Effective counseling evolves from a shared value system between client
and counselor. But when gay activism labels the desire to change
orientation illegitimate, it imposes its own views and values on a
dissatisfied homosexual, and takes away his right to self-determination.
One would assume the gay community's attitude would be, "If another man
wants to change, that's his business," because of the community's
promotion of the ideals of tolerance, diversity and respect. But within
the gay community there is actually great animosity against the ex-gay
movement and the right of other homosexually oriented people to receive
therapy of either a secular or a religious type which is directed toward
change.
"Is there any recent study which suggests that sexual-orientation change is possible?"
In 1997, NARTH surveyed 882 individuals who had experienced some degree
of sexual-orientation change. Before counseling or therapy, 68% of the
respondents perceived themselves as exclusively or almost entirely
homosexual. After treatment, only 13% perceived themselves as
exclusively or almost entirely homosexual.
The respondents were overwhelmingly in agreement that conversion therapy
had helped them cope with and reduce their homosexual attractions. Many
perceived their homosexual behaviors as an addiction.
A large majority said their religious and spiritual beliefs played a
crucial, supportive role in overcoming their homosexuality.
Areas of functioning in which the respondents report significant
improvement:
- Self-acceptance and self-understanding
- Sense of personal power and assertiveness
- Sense of clarity and security in gender identity
- Diminishment of loneliness and depression
- Improvement in emotional stability, self-esteem and maturity
- Better ability to resolve interpersonal conflicts
- Diminishment of homosexual thoughts, feelings and behaviors
Some typical comments by respondents to that survey:
"I wasted 14 years in therapy with therapists who had a 'you're gay, get
used to it' mentality--which I find incredibly unethical."
"A lot of people think they are okay being gay. But I never had peace
of mind until I started to change."
"I believe we were designed and created to be heterosexual, and
therefore I will never be truly satisfied with anything else."
"My desire to develop my masculinity was never realized. Since
treatment, it has developed in its own way, resulting in tremendous
personal transformation--an enormous increase in personal worth,
self-esteem, and the ability to take action."
"I am delighted to have found reparative therapy--it feels healthy, and
I feel honest for the first time in my life."
"There may be those who are comfortable with being a homosexual--but I
never was one of them."
"I was deceived for a number of years into believing that there was
nothing I could do to change my sexual orientation...I tried counseling,
but was simply told to stop fighting the homosexual feelings and accept
who I was. I became trapped in the compulsion of cruising, going to the
gay bars, and getting involved in a number of empty relationships...The
greatest freedom came when I discovered that I could move away from the
addiction of homosexual behavior, and began to see myself differently."
"Throughout these 16 years since I chose to pursue a heterosexual
lifestyle, the rightness of my choice has only been confirmed again and
again. I feel whole and true to my real self."
"Armed with knowledge, hope and direction, change can be deliberate and
planned. This is true for everyone and for any difficulty, not just
homosexuality."
"Just The Facts" acknowledges that "sexual orientation develops across a
person's lifetime." This being true, it is clear that competent
professional counseling will have an effect on that evolving process.
"But shouldn't public schools affirm the value of sexual diversity?"
It is not the domain of schools to teach its students what sexuality to
value. Teaching respect for homosexually oriented individuals is
appropriate and right. However, demanding affirmation of a homosexual
orientation and behavior goes beyond the ethic of tolerance, and in fact
violates the value systems of many families.
Racial and ethnic prejudice discriminates against an unchangeable and
morally neutral aspect of another person's nature. But disapproval of
some types of sexual behavior is not the same as being "prejudiced,"
"bigoted," or "hateful" toward people because of their race.
Disapproval of homosexual behavior is not "hatred" as long as it does
not imply rejection of the individual. Most families who do not value
homosexuality still accept and love a gay family member.
"So these gay-affirming programs aren't neutral?"
Every voice in the debate speaks from some sort of value system.
There can be no "neutral" answers to most social issues.
Gay-affirming programs typically promote a value system which includes
the following:
- a "sex-positive" approach that devalues self-restraint;
- the
belief that marriage should be redefined;
- denial of biologically
rooted gender differences;
- support for gay adoption, with a refusal
to recognize the proven importance of both mothers and fathers in child
development;
- support for a child's autonomy from the authority of
both family and religion, and from the limits and norms these
institutions place on children.
The American Psychological Association's own value system is evident in
its particular favored causes. Philosophies currently promoted by the
A.P.A. include radical feminism, sexual liberationism, and gay
activism--while marginalizing philosophies that promote the traditional
family and respect for religious tradition. The A.P.A. has even taken
the position of encouraging its members to fight Defense of Marriage
(DOMA) legislation--legislation that would preserve marriage as between
one man and one woman---a political action on their part which would
effectively usher in gay marriage.
Because these scientific groups do not clarify that their positions
represent social and political philosophies, the public erroneously
believes that these positions are science.
"Then the teen years aren't the best time to 'come out'?"
Confusion about sexual orientation is fairly common during adolescence,
and it is risky to label teenagers "gay, "lesbian" or "bisexual,"
before they have the wisdom of adulthood and the opportunity to make a
fully informed choice.
Life decisions requiring wise and mature judgment are best reserved for
adulthood, at a time when they will be based on more than feelings.
Says Dr. George Rekers, professor of neuropsychiatry and a specialist in
psychosexual disorders at the University of South Carolina School of
Medicine:
"No service is done to our children by offering them lifestyle options
before they are properly...able to...make informed choices about them."
Counseling of a sexually questioning teen need not encourage such
self-labeling. Initially, it is sufficient to acknowledge the student's
experience of same-sex attraction; later, how to proceed in counseling
should be determined by the student and his parents, after all the
options are realistically offered.
"Are there other reasons to delay decisions about sexual identity?"
When schools label some teenagers gay, there is a serious risk of
mislabeling a portion of sexually confused students. A 1992
study of 34,707 Minnesota teenagers published in Pediatrics reported
that 25.9% of 12-year-olds are uncertain if they are heterosexual or
homosexual. (In contrast, only about 2-3% of adults will self-identify
as homosexual.) This means that the majority of these "sexually
questioning" teens could erroneously be identified as homosexual if they
are affirmed as gay by a school counselor or an on-campus gay club.
Another study showed that early self-labeling as homosexual or bisexual
is one of the top three risk factors for homosexual teen suicide
attempts. The risk of suicide decreases by 20% for each year that a
young person delays homosexual or bisexual self-labeling.
The author of a recent book, Beyond Gay, talk about his youthful
struggle with homosexuality. He says he was fortunate not to have been
influenced by gay on-campus clubs or counseling programs before he had a
chance to meet the "wise and loving friends" who would later give him a
broader perspective. "For this," he says, "I am deeply grateful."
Many factors can lead a "questioning" youngster into homosexual
behavior--including curiosity, a feeling of not fitting in, the
experience of earlier molestation, and a desire for attention and a
sense of belonging. In particular, gender-nonconforming boys tend to
idealize their male peers due to a sense of masculine inferiority. The
teen years serve as a transitional phase when affectional, emotional and
identification needs can easily be eroticized.
We believe that students and their parents have a right to all the facts
in order to make a truly informed decision.
Updated: 8 February 2008
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