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Arch Sex Behav (2012) 41:121134 DOI 10.1007/s10508-012-9922-x
ORIGINAL PAPER
Can We Change Sexual Orientation?
A. Lee Beckstead
Published online: 16 February 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012
Abstract The self-reports of individuals who claim that they have changed their sexual orientation are either dismissed as falseorreliedupontopromotesexualorientationchangeefforts. However, these reactions do not capture the complexity of the sexualreorientationphenomenon.Thisarticleprovidesanover-view regarding the promise and effort of sexual reorientation and how this knowledge may inform our current understanding of human sexuality. Specically, a brief history is given of the interventions used to change attractions to same-sex adults and the assumptions underlying these efforts. Information will be given regarding which conclusions can be derived from sexual reorientation studies. The limitations of these studies will be explained to strengthen future research. Hypotheses will be presented regarding the motivations and needs of those distressed by a same-sex erotic orientation and the impact that the hope of sexual reorientation may have for family members, religious leaders, and policy makers. A multivariate model of sexuality and sexual orientation, including scales of attraction and aversion, will be proposed based upon current understanding of sexuality and the distinctions found in sexual reorientation research. In the end, a therapeutic framework will be highlighted that may be used (and researched) to help those distressed by their sexual orientation.
Keywords Sexual orientation Reparative therapy
Gay Lesbian Bisexual Religion
Introduction
Can people intentionally change their sexual orientation? Unfortunately,notmuchisknowntoanswerthisquestionreliably.However, this article will provide an overview of what we do know about sexual reorientation and what we need to know further to promise such an outcome responsibly. Specically, this article will present how mental healthproviders have attempted tohelp those who experienceunwantedattractions (cf. Green, 2003; Rosik, 2003), how researchers have tried to verify or critique such efforts, and how the practice and promise of sexual reorientation affect the public and could inform our understanding of human sexuality.1
Contrasting reports of success and harm have spurred debates for many years regarding the possibility of changing sexual orientation (Brooke, 2005). For instance, as Jones and Yarhouse (2011)publishedtheirevidencethatsuccessfulchangeofsexual orientationoccurredforsomeindividualsconcurrentwithinvolvement in the religiously mediated change methods of Exodus Ministries2 (p. 422), the President of Exodus, Chambers, had a differentview:ThemajorityofpeoplethatIhavemet,andIwould saythe majoritymeaning99.9% ofthem have notexperienceda change in their orientation(quoted in Throckmorton, 2012, Para 2).
One analogy for understanding...