Psychologists to Review Stance on Gays

[Rosemary2205]

This could be progress in shutting down rogue fundie therapists.


AP National Writer

NEW YORK — The American Psychological Association is embarking on the first review of its 10-year-old policy on counseling gays and lesbians, a step that gay-rights activists hope will end with a denunciation of any attempt by therapists to change sexual orientation. Such efforts — often called reparative therapy or conversion therapy — are considered futile and harmful by many gay-rights activists. Conservative groups defend the right to offer such treatment, and say people with their viewpoint have been excluded from the review panel.

snip

The current APA policy, adopted in 1997, opposes any counseling that treats homosexuality as a mental illness, but does not explicitly denounce reparative therapy. The APA has decided to review the policy at a time when gay-rights groups are increasingly critical of such treatment and groups that support it.

snip

Joseph Nicolosi, a leading proponent of reparative therapy, predicted the task force would propose a ban of the practice — and he vowed to resist such a move. Nicolosi, who was rejected as a task force nominee, is president of the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality.

snip

PFLAG's executive director, Jody Huckaby, said reparative therapy had been particularly harmful for young gays whose parents insisted on trying to change their sexual orientation. His group contends these efforts can cause depression and suicidal behavior. Current APA policy stipulates that no therapy should occur without "informed consent" of a gay or lesbian client. Jason Cianciotto of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force said he hoped the APA would declare that no young person could ever be deemed to have given informed consent, and thus no reparative therapy would be approved for minors.


More at link

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/shared-gen/ap/National/Gays_Psychologists.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab

[HysteryDiagnosis]

1. "If I could talk to the animals!!!"..... what would I tell them that

might turn them from the error of their ways????

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6066606.stm


Oslo gay animal show draws crowds
Penguins at the Oslo Natural History Museum. Photo: Per Aas/NHM-Oslo


Penguins regularly form same-sex pairs. Photo: Per Aas/NHM-Oslo
Curators say a Norwegian exhibition on homosexuality among animals has been well received, despite initial indications of strong opposition.

The Oslo Natural History Museum opened the show last week and says it has been well attended, not least by families.

Organisers reported early criticism of the project, and being told by one opponent they would "burn in hell".

But there has been strong interest in an aspect of animal behaviour the museum says is quite common.

It says homosexuality has been observed among 1,500 species, and that in 500 of those it is well documented.

The exhibition - entitled Against Nature? - includes photographs of one male giraffe mounting another, of apes stimulating others of the same sex, and two aroused male right whales rubbing against each other.

[xchrom]

2. i guess i'm glad that they're looking into reparative therapy --

but on the other hand -- natural is natural is natural.

and gay -- two people of the same sex having it off -- is -- well -- natural.

i guess i'd rather spend my time talking about the fact that it's natural A} and B} it's a legitimate to have it off, to love, to build a loving life together, etc.

i'm tired of letting sicko social conservatives determine the ''norm''.

they've never ever been right -- why don't we talk about that?

other wise -- i'm good with this.