Prominent psychiatrist Robert Spitzer, M.D. defended the possibility of sexual reorientation at a press conference held outside the A.P.A. meeting.

NARTH's President Joseph Nicolosi, Ph.D. defended homosexual strugglers in their right to redefine themselves. "These people insist that 'gay is not who I am,'" Dr. Nicolosi said. "They are entitled to the help of the mental-health profession in their pursuit of change."

At the American Psychiatric Association Convention in Chicago, fifty ex-gay ministry leaders from around the country gathered to protest the A.P.A.'s cancellation of the debate on reorientation therapy.