Dr. Haldeman commented on the meaning of diversity, how it no longer means only ethnoracial identity and gender but includes age, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, and more. All of these multiple or crossing factors of one’s identity create this idea of intersectionality. While diverse aspects of identity intersecting makes each person unique, it also makes a person vulnerable to stigmas and being “run over” from multiple directions. Dr. Haldeman shared that he looks at faith as a factor that will boost resilience. Therapists should consider spirituality and religiosity when working with LGB clients. These aspects are often important to them and contribute to a more holistic view of identity.

Following Dr. Haldeman, Dr. Yarhouse presented an idea concerning different lenses, meaning what lens people look through or what worldview they hold will affect how they evaluate issues. The reality is, the two views discussed, the LGB mainstream lens and the Christian/evangelical lens, influence the selection of studies, the interpretation, and the evaluation of them. Each perspective may see needs the other one does not. For example, Dr. Yarhouse noted that same-sex attraction does not mean the client should be pushed into a heterosexual lifestyle, but neither should he/she be lead to forming a gay identity. Space must be created for the client allowing him/her to find congruence, which in some cases means living and identifying in ways that reflect their values or religious beliefs. Dr. Yarhouse also underscored that one lens – LGB mainstream or Christian/evangelical – is not more scientific than another, but we need to be able to recognize what lens we are looking through. This allows for collaboration at its best.

A dual presentation gave this colloquium a unique feel. Though each speaker acknowledged differences of opinion, a well-established relationship built on honesty and respect was emphasized, and it was obvious both men care highly for their clients in therapy. It is not very often therapists from such typically opposing perspectives can come together to cordially discuss such a sensitive topic and focus on common ground. However, bonds of trust, as was exemplified, must first be built in order dialogue, but there is a great hope that the future will bring more collaboration in print/articles, technology, models of therapy, and more in order to best aid marginalized groups and individuals.

Press Release; September 26, 2011

Groundbreaking Research on Sexual Orientation Change

Published in Respected Scientific Journal

Academic Citation:

Stanton L. Jones & Mark A. Yarhouse. (2011). “A longitudinal study of attempted religiously-mediated sexual orientation change.” Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, Volume 37, pages 404-427.

For more details, information about the authors, and responses to criticisms, go to
www.exgaystudy.org

A chorus of voices in the professional world today proclaims that it is impossible to change sexual orientation, particularly homosexual orientation, and that the attempt to change sexual orientation is commonly and inherently harmful. For example, for many years the Public Affairs website of the American Psychological Association stated: “Can therapy change sexual orientation? No. . . . [H]omosexuality . . . does not require treatment and is not changeable.”^[1]  Regarding harm, the American Psychiatric Association’s statement that the “potential risks of ‘reparative therapy’ are great, including depression, anxiety and self-destructive behavior”^[2] is often cited.

Psychologists Stanton L. Jones of Wheaton College (IL) and Mark A. Yarhouse of Regent University have just published in The Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, a respected, peer-reviewed scientific journal, the final results of their longitudinal study of a sample of men and women seeking religiously-mediated sexual orientation change through involvement in a variety of Christian ministries affiliated with Exodus International. The results stand in tension with the supposed professional consensus.

This study meets high standards of empirical rigor. In other studies, in the words of the APA, “treatment outcome is not followed and reported over time as would be the standard to test the validity of any mental health intervention.”^[3]  Prior research has been appropriately criticized for

• Failing to follow subjects over time (i.e., not longitudinal)
• Relying on memory rather than following change as it occurs (i.e., not prospective)
• Relying on therapist ratings rather than hearing directly from those seeking change
• Using idiosyncratic and unvalidated measures of sexual orientation

The Jones and Yarhouse study was designed to address these empirical standards.  The study is a longitudinal and prospective quasi-experimental study of a respectably large sample of persons seeking to change their sexual orientation via religiously-mediated means through Exodus ministries groups.  Among those endorsing the earlier book^[4] describing the study and its results at the 3-year mark was Former President of the American Psychological Association Nicholas A. Cummings, Ph.D., Sc.D., who stated “Research in the controversial area of homosexuality is fraught with ideology and plagued by a dearth of science. This study has broken new ground in its adherence to objectivity and a scientific precision that can be replicated and expanded, and it opens new horizons for investigation…. I have waited over thirty years for this refreshing, penetrating study of an imperative, though controversial human condition. This book is must reading for psychotherapists and counselors, as well as academic psychologists studying human behavior and sexuality.”

This study assessed the sexual orientations and psychological distress levels of 98 individuals seeking sexual orientation change beginning early in the change process, and then followed them longitudinally with five additional independent assessments over a total span of 6 to 7 years. The researchers used standardized, respected measures of sexual orientation and of emotional distress to test the study’s hypotheses. This new report extends out to between 6-7 years the findings previously reported at the 3-year mark for the subjects in the study. An earlier version of these results were presented at the Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association on August 9, 2009; that two former presidents of the APA, Dr. Nicholas Cummings and Dr. Frank Farley, discussed the findings in that presentation underscores the significance of the study.

The findings in brief:  Of the original 98 subjects (72 men, 26 women), 61 subjects completed the key measures of sexual orientation and psychological distress at the conclusion of the study, and were successfully categorized for general outcome. Of these 61 subjects, 53% were categorized as successful outcomes by the standards of Exodus Ministries. Specifically, 23% of the subjects reported success in the form of successful “conversion” to heterosexual orientation and functioning, while an additional 30% reported stable behavioral chastity with substantive dis-identification with homosexual orientation. On the other hand, 20% of the subjects reported giving up on the change process and fully embracing gay identity. On the measures of sexual orientation, statistically significant changes on average were reported across the entire sample for decreases in homosexual orientation; some statistically significant change, but of smaller magnitude, was reported in increase of heterosexual attraction. These changes were less substantial and generally statistically non-significant for the average changes of those subjects assessed earliest in the change process, though some of these subjects still figured as “Success: Conversion” cases. The measure of psychological distress did not, on average, reflect increases in psychological distress associated with the attempt to change orientation; indeed, several small significant improvements in reported average psychological distress were associated with the interventions.

In short, the results do not prove that categorical change in sexual orientation is possible for everyone or anyone, but rather that meaningful shifts along a continuum that constitute real changes appear possible for some. The results do not prove that no one is harmed by the attempt to change, but rather that the attempt to change does not appear to be harmful on average or inherently harmful. Several cautions are noted in the research report:  The authors urge caution in projecting success rates from these findings; the figures of 23% successful conversion to heterosexual orientation and 30% to successful chastity are likely overly optimistic projections of anticipated success for persons newly entering Exodus-related groups seeking change. Further, it was clear that “conversion” to heterosexual adaptation was a complex phenomenon; the authors explore a variety of possible explanations of the findings including religious healing and sexual identity change. Nevertheless, these findings challenge the commonly expressed views of the mental health establishment that change of sexual orientation is impossible or very uncommon, and that the attempt to change is highly likely to produce harm for those who make such an effort.

In their 2007 book, Ex-Gays? (IVP), Jones and Yarhouse discussed the implications of the findings of this study, and those implications are still worthy of consideration. Most importantly, the study suggests that since change seems possible for some, then all should respect the integrity and autonomy of persons seeking to change their sexual orientation for moral, religious, or other reasons, just as we respect those who for similar reasons desire to affirm and embrace their sexual orientation.  This requires that space be created in religious and professional circles for individuals to seek sexual orientation change or sexual identity change with full information offered about the options and their potential risks.  We would do well to put as much information as possible in the hands of consumers so that they are able to make informed decisions and wise choices among treatment options.  The results also suggest that it would be premature for professional mental health organizations to invalidate efforts to change sexual orientation and unwanted same-sex erotic attractions.

More information can be found at www.exgaystudy.org.  Representatives of the media seeking to schedule an interview with either author should contact Dr. Stanton L. Jones via LaTonya Taylor, Director of Media Relations, Wheaton College (email or call 630-752-5015) and Dr. Mark Yarhouse via Mindy L. Hughes, Director of Public Relations, Regent University (email or call 757-352-4095).

The question is raised in the CBN news interview whether reorientation therapy is mainstream. Dr. Yarhouse indicated that it is not but that there is some question as to how many people provide such therapy, and there is little research being conducted today by those who provide reorientation therapy.

Dr. Yarhouse also discussed what reparative therapy is. It is essentially a subtype of reorientation therapy that is based on the premise that faulty parent-child relationships cause homosexuality by creating an emotional need that later becomes sexualized. If you are familiar with the work of ISSI, you know that Dr. Yarhouse not practice reorientation therapy; rather, he focuses on sexual identity and how it develops and synthesizes over time. Such as approach is ultimately more client-centered and holistic. Toward the end of the interview Dr. Yarhouse shared that sexual identity can be explored and discussed in therapy without practicing reorientation therapy. One expression of this type of therapy is Sexual Identity Therapy(SIT), which has as its focus helping a person achieve congruence so that the person’s behavior and identity is congruent with his or her beliefs and values. SIT is cited favorably in the 2009 APA task force report on appropriate therapeutic responses to sexual orientation.

There are still service men and women who are being discharged because of the current status of the repeal, under which DADT is enforced as law.  Air Force spokesman Maj. Joel Harper confirmed that four Air Force service members (two males and two females) have been voluntarily discharged over the last couple months under the DADT policy.As the military is being readied for this change, there is also research to indicate that students in the helping professions should be taught how to work more compassionately with gay and lesbian individuals in the military (Wallenberg, Anspach, & Leon, 2011).  It is also recommended that program curriculum should help students develop more positive attitudes toward minority groups such as these.  Wallenberg, Anspach, and Leon conducted a study of graduate students in social work or business in which a statistically significant relationship was found between degree program and attitudes toward homosexuals in the military.  Though social work graduate students generally hold more positive attitudes toward homosexuals in the military, the authors emphasized the importance of training in attitudes and skills for those in helping professions in order for them to provide more competent care to returning gay and lesbian veterans. 

This article can found by accessing the following information:Wallenberg, J., Anspach, A., & Leon, A. M. (2011). Student degree program and attitudes toward gays and lesbians in the military: Is there a connection? Journal of Homosexuality, 58, 476-496.

***ISSI previously posted on this topic here: DA/DT/DP Policy - CL

Apple Inc. recently joined this project, allowing LGBT employees the opportunity to share their stories. From survivors of bullying, harassment, and discrimination, the video offers the message, “It will get better. This is just a season. I survived, and you can too.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

It is also important to recognize that the It Gets Better Project is not necessarily an all-inclusive way of making sense of every teenager’s experiences. Each person has a unique life story that contributes to his or her own identity formation. A study by Yarhouse, Tan, and Pawlowski (2005), looked at identity formation and the factors contributing to a LGB ideology. Moral values and religious beliefs were among the factors that influenced the identity formation process. For others, peers and familial relations shaped their development and their identity synthesis. Differences in a public and private expression of identity also varied depending on each person’s unique way of identifying him or herself. Not everyone in the study who experienced same-sex attraction took on an LGB identity. Many chose an alternate identity synthesis due in part to the aforementioned factors of family, peers, and religious affiliation.

With sexual identity, it is important to take into account each individual’s unique life experiences, such as culture, religious affiliation, family and school setting, and even sexual attraction. It is vitally important to acknowledge different contexts that may offer alternate ideas about one’s attraction or orientation. In doing so, individuals may come to understand their sexual identity in light of the experiences that have shaped them into who they are today.