|
|
NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION
FOR
RESEARCH
AND
THERAPY
OF
HOMOSEXUALITY
New Study Confirms
Homosexuality Can Be Overcome
Findings Indicate that Those Who Want to Change Sexual
Orientation Can Be Successful
ENCINO, Calif.--May 17, 1997--Nearly 25 years after the American
Psychiatric Association officially removed homosexuality from its
Diagnostic Manual, labeling it a lifestyle choice rather than a
psychological disorder, a California-based association of psychiatrists
and psychologists has proven that homosexuals can change their
orientation through intense therapy and a strong desire to change.
The National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality
(NARTH) released the results of a two-year study this week in
conjunction with its annual meeting of licensed psychologists and
psychotherapists, social workers, family counselors, clergy and related
professionals. The study was conducted among nearly 860 individuals
struggling to overcome homosexuality and more than 200 psychologists and
therapists who treat them. The survey was sponsored by NARTH; its data
was tabulated by professionals at Brigham Young University.
"This research proves, once and for all, that the propaganda being
spread by the gay lobby in this country has been without any basis in
fact, and I suspect they've known it all along," said Dr. Joseph
Nicolosi, a psychologist and executive director of NARTH. "We should
stop telling young people and others struggling with homosexuality that
they're stuck with it. Instead we should say, 'If you want to change,
you can, like so many others who have.'"
The survey was conducted among individuals who were previously thought
to be non-existent as a population; this study demonstrates that such
individuals do exist.
Among the study's significant findings is a documented shift in
respondents' sexual orientation, as well s the frequency and intensity
of their homosexual thoughts and actions. Specifically, the survey
indicated:
- Before treatment, 68 percent of respondents perceived themselves
as exclusively or almost entirely homosexual, with another 22 percent
stating they were more homosexual than heterosexual. After treatment,
only 13 percent perceived themselves as exclusively or almost entirely
homosexual, while 33 percent described themselves as either exclusively
or almost entirely heterosexual.
- Although 83 percent of respondents indicated that they entered
therapy primarily because of homosexuality, 99 percent of those who
participated in the survey said they now believe treatment to change
homosexuality can be effective and valuable.
- As a group, those surveyed reported statistically significant
decreases following treatment in the frequency and intensity of their
homosexual thoughts, in the frequency of masturbation to gay
pornography, and in the frequency of their homosexual behavior with a
partner. Respondents also indicated that, as a result of treatment and
sexual orientation changes, they were also improving psychologically and
interpersonally.
- Of the psychotherapists surveyed, 82 percent said they believe
therapy can help change unwanted homosexuality. They further indicated
that on average, one-third to one-half of their patients had adopted a
primarily heterosexual orientation.
- And more than 95 percent of the psychotherapists said they either
strongly agreed or somewhat agreed with the statement that homosexual
patients may be capable of changing to a heterosexual orientation.
At the time of the survey, 63 percent of participants indicated that
they were still in treatment, having spent an average of three and
one-third years (or 42 sessions) in therapy up to that point. Of the
primarily Caucasian sample, 78 percent were men, 22 percent were women,
with an average age of 37. Over half of the participants had never been
married, and approximately one-third were married. Almost 90 percent of
survey's respondents had a college education.
"Clearly this research validates homosexuality as a psychological
condition, rather than a genetic or hereditary one," said Nicolosi,
calling previous studies of the brain and genetic material the work of
gay political activists. "As a result," he continued, "we must not turn
our backs on those individuals who want to find a way out of
homosexuality."
A qualitative portion of the survey confirmed Nicolosi's statements.
Comments provided by respondents included:
- "When I realized that homosexuality was a trap," one man stated,
"I turned to others for help. My therapist and our relationship
provided a model for appropriate male-to-male, nonsexual relationships,
and taught me about appropriate touching, bonding and expression of
needs."
- Another man wrote: "I had been involved in compulsive behavior
several times a week for eight years, from the time I left home and
began living on my own. I had occasional physical encounters as well.
Since joining a therapy group, I've had no recurrence of compulsive
masturbation, no use of phone sex or pornography, with basically no
desire to participate in those behaviors. The attraction to men
lingers, but every week I participate [in] the group encourages me
more."
- A female respondent stated: "I never expected this much recovery.
My relationships with men have greatly improved--I am able to relate
sexually to my husband in a way I was never able to before. I'm
learning to leave the familiar protective emotions of contempt,
arrogance, pseudo self-sufficiency, anger and self-indulgence behind,
and practice the emotions of love instead."
- "Change is extremely difficult and requires total commitment,"
said a male respondent. "But I have broken the terrible power that
homosexuality had over me for so long. I haven't been this light and
happy since I was a child. People can and do change, and become free."
"NARTH will give a new voice to these individuals and the hundreds more
who participated in our study," Nicolosi said, indicating that his
organization intends to disseminate the survey's results to leaders in
the religious, political and scientific communities. "As professionals,
we cannot allow the American public to be deceived one minute longer.
We must be allowed to reach out to those who want our help and
help them. And we intend to continue to do so."
Founded in 1992, NARTH exists to make effective psychological therapy
available to all homosexual men and women who seek change, primarily
through referral services in the U.S. and abroad. Among the nonprofit
organization's members are leading psychologists who lecture and publish
regularly on the subject of homosexuality, its causes and its treatment.
Its membership is open to all who share its ideals.
FOR BACKGROUND INFORMATION
CONTACT:
Joseph Nicolosi, Ph.D.
(818) 789-4440
http://www.narth.org
The National Association for
Research and Therapy of Homosexuality Fact Sheet
Organizational Background
In 1973--under intense pressure from gay socio-political activists, and
without scientific evidence--the American Psychiatric Association voted
to remove homosexuality from its Diagnostic Manual, and effectively
silenced professional discussion of homosexuality as a disorder.
Although modern psychology had considered the condition pathological for
over 100 years, and all cultures have considered it deviant throughout
recorded history, the official view of homosexuality changed
overnight.
A campaign to make treatment of homosexuals unethical and
illegal was recently set in motion by gay activists. Psychiatrists,
psychologists or researchers who so much as suggest that homosexuality
may be a changeable disorder are persecuted and labeled "homophobic" by
the pro-gay lobby. Men and women--even teenagers and children--who
struggle with homosexual desires and desperately wish to change
have been blocked from finding the therapists who can help them.
There is only one clear and unequivocal voice in the mental health
community which speaks out on behalf of homosexuals who want to change:
The National Association for Research and Therapy of
Homosexuality. Against all odds, NARTH has made known the needs
and desires of an ignored people, opened for public debate the questions
surrounding the cause and treatment of homosexuality, and refuted the
misinformation promoted by the pro-gay lobby.
The NARTH Track Record: A History of Success
Drs. Charles Socarides, Benjamin Kaufman, and Joseph Nicolosi founded
NARTH in 1992 in response to a growing threat of scientific censorship.
The organization has grown rapidly to include over 700 mental health
professionals and concerned lay people.
NARTH has gained much ground toward achieving its goals. The pro-gay
lobby has attempted to compel both the American Psychological and
Psychiatric Associations to declare as unethical any type of therapy
which encourages homosexuals to change. In both cases NARTH has stood
as the only organized voice against this lobby.
NARTH continues to win numerous victories, large and small. NARTH is
successfully defending the rights of men and women who wish freedom from
their homosexual desires, and is combatting the misinformation about
homosexuality that exists within American society today.
NARTH Goals
NARTH's primary goal is to make effective psychological therapy
available to all homosexual men and women who seek change. Furthermore,
the organization wishes to open for public discussion all issues related
to homosexuality. NARTH wants to build an atmosphere which allows
honest debate, free of politically motivated distortion, and stands
ready to combat the pro-gay misinformation thrust upon the psychological
profession and the general public.
To achieve these goals, NARTH's ongoing projects and
services include:
- An international referral service of licensed therapists offering
sexual reorientation treatment in the United States, Canada, Europe and
Australia.
- Research.
- A worldwide survey of homosexuals who have changed.
- Review of scientific studies documenting the psychological
factors associated with a gay lifestyle.
- Review of the psychological literature documenting treatment
success.
- Lectures by respected mental health professionals.
- Scholarly publications and literature for the general public.
- Literature distribution into college, high school and community
libraries.
- Distribution of reliable and truthful school sex-education
guidelines to parents which will refute the barrage of misinformation
given to children and teenagers by the pro-gay lobby.
NARTH welcomes the support of all lay organizations, including religious
groups, which turn to the organization for scientific evidence that may
support their traditional doctrines. NARTH remains, however, a strictly
professional organization devoted to scientific inquiry.
This article provided by NARTH
Copyright © NARTH. All Rights Reserved.
Email this to a friend
copyright
© 1995-2010
Leadership U. All rights reserved.
Updated: 14 July 2002
|