Glbt people should be supported into accepting their real sexual orientation and avoid futile programmes designed to make them heterosexual, according to the authoritative American Psychological Association. Mental health professionals and therapists should avoid telling clients that they can change their sexual orientation through therapy or other treatments, the APA says. "Parents, guardians, young people and their families should avoid sexual orientation treatments that portray homosexuality as a mental illness or developmental disorder and instead seek psychotherapy, social support and educational services that provide accurate information on sexual orientation and sexuality, increase family and school support and reduce rejection of sexual minority youth." Most sexuality conversion programmes in New Zealand have been administered by highly conservative religious groups such as Exodus Ministries and Destiny Church. Rather than falling prey to such therapies, the APA, which is the world's largest association of psychologists, says glbt people should instead "explore possible life paths that address the reality of their sexual orientation, reduce the stigma associated with homosexuality, respect the client's religious beliefs, and consider possibilities for a religiously and spiritually meaningful and rewarding life." The APA says there are no valid research results to back ups claim that sexual orientation change works. "At most, certain studies suggested that some individuals learned how to ignore or not act on their homosexual attractions." These studies did not indicate for whom this was possible, how long it lasted or its long-term mental health effects," the APA says.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 13th August 2009 - 11:10pm