As per yesterday’s discussion on our new Surgeon General nominee, Mr. Harriet Miers (h/t citydweller), the question comes up, how legitimate is it to think that teh gay can be cured?
And it seems to all hinge upon how you define “gay.”
Are we defining gay in terms of specific homosexual acts? In other words, if you actually have sex with a member of the same sex, that’s gay. Well, sure.
But how about the inclination? How about homosexual feelings, being attracted to the same sex? Is that considered “gay?”
In general terms, probably. But it’s telling that even some of the best-known faith-based “ex-gay” organizations define ”cure” largely in terms of actual behavior.
Exodus International, for example, defines “change” as “attaining abstinence from homosexual behaviors, lessening of homosexual temptations, strengthening their sense of masculine or feminine identity, correcting distorted styles of relating with members of the same and opposite gender.”
Lessening of homosexual temptations; not the abolition of them. In other words, you will still be attracted to members of the same sex, to some degree.
But, through willpower - through abstinence - you may be able to refrain from the actual behavior.
“May be” because there are perilously few reliable, peer-related studies showing that gays can be “cured.” One landmark 2002 study, by Dr. Ariel Shidlo and Dr. Michael Schroeder (no link, if I find it will update) reported this:
Of the 202 individuals in the study, each had undergone, on average, 118 sessions of counseling with ex-gay ministries over a period longer than two years.
The number of the 202 subjects who said they were no longer struggling and had fully transitioned to heterosexuality: 8.
Number of those eight which were currently working as counselors with an ex-gay ministry and where an admission of same sex attraction would likely cost them their job: 7
Number who, on a one year follow up who felt they had “failed”: 176
Number who reported that “conversion” had given them long term significant harm: 155
Number who attempted suicide during therapy: 23
Number who attempted it in the 12 months following: 11
Number who reported spiritual harm ranging from leaving Christianity, complete loss of faith, or anger at and inability to trust God and the church: over 100
Beyond all this, I would love to see a legitimate report on the recidivism rate of those who pronounce themselves “cured.” But check out this line from Wikipedia: “In the span of eighteen years, eight of the Exodus International ministries have dissolved because the director realized they were still gay.”
Surgeon General David Satcher in 2001 issued a report stating that “there is no valid scientific evidence that sexual orientation can be changed.” The wingers, of course, didn’t like that one bit.
But don’t get me wrong. I’m certain that actual homosexual behavior can be curtailed, through abstinence. But the whole process of “curing” teh dreaded gay smacks of self-loathing. I suspect that those who wish to be “cured” want it for religious or family reasons specifically. They are desperate to be rid of their same-sex attractions, because they feel as if they are sinning, they are told that they are sinning, they have alienated family, they just want to be normal. They don’t want to live this life of shame and self-hatred.
And you know, if changing their bevahior sticks, and makes them happy - more power to them. But to accept that this is tantamount to fundamental change is to argue the exact opposite as well - that those who are straight could turn gay with an equal success rate; could force themselves to feel attraction to the same sex when, innately, they don’t.
That’s why I think the ex-gay movement is a sham. I do not view sexual attraction as malleable. The tiger can insist he’s spotted, can look past appearances.
But ultimately, he does not change his stripes.
