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Ex-gay movement

The ex- gay movement is a social movement that aims to help homosexual or bisexual people to abandon their homosexual lifestyle . In some cases, they also attempt to change non-heterosexual orientation towards heterosexual . The activities of ex-gay organizations are mainly associated with various religious groups [1] .

Term meaning

The term "ex-gay" was introduced to professional literature in 1980 by Dr. Patisson, who used his term to describe "those who have experienced a fundamental change in sexual orientation from exclusively homosexual to extremely heterosexual " [2] [3] .

Later, researchers concluded that there is no scientific evidence of a change in sexual orientation [4] [5] [6] , and now there is a growing scientific consensus that sexual orientation does not change [7] .

The term "ex-gay" began to be used in relation to people who have changed their sexual identity , as well as people who are in the process of changing their identities of gays and lesbians [3] [8] . Basically, these people are motivated by religious beliefs [1] , and this process of change is understood as a result of their religious practice [3] .

Story

The ex-gay movement originated in the United States and is closely associated with religious organizations. At first, ex-gay organizations were supported by evangelical Christians , then organizations from the Catholic Church , the Mormon Church , various Jewish , Muslim and non-religious groups began to appear in a number of countries [9] .

The ex-gay movement began simultaneously with the refusal to consider homosexuality as a pathology by the American Psychiatric Association by excluding it from the DSM in 1973. The first ex-gay organization Love In Action (Love in Action) was founded in 1973 in the United States by three homosexuals: John Evans (John Evans), Kent Philpott (Kent Philpott) and Frank Worthen [10] . John Evans later left the ex-gay movement, denouncing him [10] [11] . Frank Worten continued the development of the ex-gay movement as a leader, and Exodus calls him only the founder of Love In Action [12] . In March 2012, the organization changed its name to “Restoration Path” [13] .

Three years after the creation of Love In Action , in 1976, two former gay men founded Exodus International (Exodus), the most influential organization of ex-gays, which operated until June 19, 2013. Its branches spread to the USA and Canada, since 1994 - in Latin America, since 2002 - in Brazil.

In 2004, the Exodus Global Alliance was formed. On June 12, 2013, Exodus International abandoned the Exodus Global Alliance [14] . On June 19, Exodus International announced self-dissolution, and its president, Alan Chambers, apologized to the LGBT community [15] [16] . Exodus Global Alliancen in this regard reported that it continues the previous activities, confirming that the two organizations are independent of each other [17] .

In Europe, the ex-gay movement has been appearing since 1975, when the homosexual Johan van der Sluis, after converting to Christianity, founded the ex-gay organization “Evangelical Aid to Homosexuals” (goal de Hévangelische Hulp aan Homofielen, in short - EHAH , Eng. Evangelical Counseling for Homosexuals) in the Netherlands [18] [19] . In 2003, Johan van der Sluis retired from the post of director of the organization, and in 2004 this organization became known as the Foundation “Differences” (goal Stichting Different ) [20] . Johan van der Sluis joined the board of the ex-gay organization Onze Weg (Our Way), and he was a board member and President of the Exodus of Europe for several years [19] .

In 1977, ex-gay Martin Hallett (Martin Hallett) and Anglican priest Canon Roy Barker (Canon Roy Barker) founded the organization True True Freedom Trust in the UK [21] [22] . In the 1980s, the activities of ex-gay groups spread to several other Nordic countries: Sweden (Swede. Medvandrarna ) [23] , Norway (Til Helhet) [24] , Denmark (Basis) [25] , Finland ( Aslan ) [ 26] . In 1990, the ex-gay organization appeared in Germany ( Wuestenstrom ).

Famous ex-gay organizations are Courage International 's Catholic organization (“Courage”), although the organization itself avoids calling itself ex-gay [27] , the Mormon organization Evergreen International (“Unfading”) and the Jewish organization Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing (JONAH) . The ex-gay movement also includes the American National Association for the Study and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH). In 2003, a number of ex-gay organizations merged into a coalition of Positive Alternatives to Homosexuality (PATHT).

In the United States, there is an organization called Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays (PFOX), which fights against discrimination against ex-gays. According to the decision of the Washington DC court, ex-gays are recognized as a class protected from discrimination (English Protected class ) [28] [29] .

Beliefs, goals and activities

Motivation and values

In 2009, the American Psychological Association published a large-scale report entitled “Reporting on the Effectiveness of a Therapeutic Response to Sexual Orientation ” ( Report of the Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation ). The report is dedicated to presenting the results of research on various attempts at treating homosexuality, including the practice of ex-gay movement.

APA reports [8] that some ex-gay groups can help neutralize and mute the stress inherent in minorities (eng. Minority stress ), marginalization and isolation by methods similar to those of other support groups, such as social assistance, partnership, role models and new ways of addressing the problem through specific philosophies or ideologies [30] . In addition, the researchers found that people unite into ex-gay groups due to the lack of other sources of social support, the desire to actively overcome homosexuality, including cognitive and emotional resistance, access to research methods and the transformation of sexual identity [8] [31] [ 32] [33] .

The same report showed that some authors [32] [33] [34] described groups of ex-gays as “a refuge for those who were isolated simultaneously from both conservative churches and their families because of same-sex sex drives, and gay organizations and social networks because of their conservative religious beliefs " [8] . According to the APA report, “ex-gay groups appear to alleviate the suffering caused by the conflict between religious values ​​and sexual orientation, and to help participants change their sexual identity, but not their sexual orientation.” [8]

APA reports that some [32] felt that “by assimilating the cultural norms and language of ex-gays and finding a community that allowed and reinforced their initial choice of religious beliefs, values ​​and interests” [8] , they can resolve identity conflicts through: “ the adoption of a new judgment or worldview, participation in a biographical reconstruction, the use of a new model of understanding, the formation of stable interpersonal connections " [8] .

One source [33] of the APA report finds that “ex-gay groups are rethinking homosexuality as a common sin, and thus salvation is still achievable” [8] . Another source [34] summarizes existing observations in such a way that “such groups founded hope, correction and return to the identity of an ex-gay, believing and interpreting same-sex sexual behavior as a possibility of repentance and forgiveness” [8] .

However, the APA report warns that "some ex-gay groups may reinforce prejudice and stigma by providing erroneous or stereotypical information about homosexuality" [8] .

Definition of change

Various ex-gay organizations formulate definitions of change in a different way, called upon by their members.

Exodus Global Alliancen (“World Alliance of Exodus”) declares [35] : “In terms of change, we mean that homosexual-oriented people can:

  • Change behavior - that is, to stop participating in same-sex acts.
  • Changing identity awareness means changing how we define ourselves.
  • Change lifestyle.
  • Reduce, embellish and in some cases actually eliminate homosexual feelings and desires.
  • In many cases (although not all) to be satisfied with heterosexual relationships. ”

Exodus Global Alliancen claims that many ex-gay men find changes that are described as: “achieving abstinence from homosexual behavior, reducing homosexual temptations, strengthening the sense of muscular or feminine identity, correcting a distorted behavior associated with the same or opposite sex” [ 36] .

People Can Change (“People can change”) defines ex-gay change like this: “any degree of change to greater peace of mind, satisfaction and completeness without shame, despondency and vice” and emphasizes that for many heterosexuality is not the main goal [37] .

Some ex-gays advocate entering and being in a heterosexual marriage as a component of development. Some people in mixed-orientation marriages recognize that their sexual desires remain mostly homosexual, but tend to make their marriages function in any case [38] .

Change of sexual orientation

The ex-gay movement is often perceived as an attempt to change sexual orientation. Some ex-gay organizations recommend their members to attempt to change their sexual orientation through reparative therapy [39] [40] [1] . Scientific experts consider various attempts to change sexual orientation (eng. SOCE ) dubious. APA stated that “the available evidence from both early and subsequent studies suggests that, although sexual orientation hardly changes, some individuals modify their sexual identity and other aspects of sexuality (such as values ​​and behavior)” [8] . Virtually all major mental health organizations have adopted political statements warning professionals and the public from resorting to treatment that claims to change sexual orientation [6] .

However, ex-gays do not always claim to commit radical change. They are primarily concerned with improving lifestyle and refraining from same-sex contacts. In 1978, at the Exodus Conference, the question was raised that gay people could not change their sexual orientation, but should only observe celibacy. A year later, in 1979, at the next conference there was a debate about this among the leaders of the organization. In the end, they decided to maintain the course that a change in sexual orientation is possible, but it is very difficult and takes many years, and that, above all, homosexuals are called to sexual abstinence [41] .

In 2007, the president of the Exodus Alan Chambers ( Alan Chambers ) reported that he agrees that people cannot necessarily change their sexual orientation, but he believes that they can “live in harmony with their beliefs and faith” [42 ] . Chambers critically perceives even the use of the term "ex-gay" due to the fact that this term is often taken as a radical overcoming of homosexuality. He stated: “This is too precise a word, implying a complete break with the past, while the man is still struggling at times with homosexual temptations. We do not mean in any case to say that the change can be sudden and final ” [43] .

Recently, before its closure, Exodus warned against contacting consultants who tell patients that they “can definitely eliminate all cravings for their gender, or they can definitely acquire heterosexual cravings” [44] .

Frank Worten describing the change ex-gay argued: “We are not trying to make heterosexuals out of homosexuals. Rather, we are trying to change the identity of a person, the direction of a person’s gaze about himself. We encourage former gays to exclude the label of homosexuality from their lives ” [3] .

Evergreen International (“Never Fading”) does not advocate any particular form of therapy [45] and states that “therapy probably cannot be a means of erasing all homosexual feelings” [46] .

Courage International (“Courage”), when asked whether members of this organization should try to change their sexual orientation, responds that they “are not obligated to try to develop heterosexual cravings, because there is no guarantee that such a person’s effort will always be successful,” the goal of the organization is to “help people with same-sex drives to develop inner purity (chastity)” [27] .

Ethical problem

The situation of conflict between homosexual orientation and conservative religious beliefs leads to a certain ethical problem. While scientific organizations decry calls for attempts to change sexual orientation, ex-gays find it unacceptable to believe that it is completely impossible to change, at least, their lifestyle. For example, Evergreen International (“Fadeless”) states:

“If a client makes a personal choice to abandon the homosexual lifestyle and seeks any form of treatment for any reason (including religious or spiritual motives), the ethical consequence of this for any professional is to respect the choice of the client. ... It is unethical for a doctor to try to convince a client that he or she should change homosexuality for heterosexuality. However, it is equally unethical for a doctor to tell a client to live in homosexuality when he or she decided that homosexuality does not correspond to his or her personal values ​​and asks the doctor to help overcome this. Ethical therapy is when the doctor provides alternatives and allows the client to make their own decisions ” [45] .

Noting the lack of evidence of the effectiveness of attempts to change sexual orientation, APA paid attention to the ethical problem of the interaction of professional specialists with religious homosexuals, recommending respect for religious beliefs [47] . Commenting on this decision by the APA, sexologist Igor Kon noted that a specialist should help a believing client to find a compromise on combining homosexual orientation with religious beliefs, and if this is not possible, make a conscious choice, for example, change a church that does not recognize homosexuality, or vice versa , abandon church-denounced sexual practices [48] [49] .

Criticism

Scientific criticism

The main ideas of the ex-gay movement are in conflict with the generally accepted idea of ​​homosexuality in modern science as a normal and non-pathological form of sexual orientations that do not need treatment and correction. They are based mainly on conservative religious values ​​and the idea of ​​homosexual relations as a sin and evil. The spread of these ideas among young people is a matter of concern for specialists to exacerbate the marginalization, persecution and fear of young homosexuals [39] .

Attempts to change sexual orientation made by some mainly religious organizations [50] [40] [1] are particularly criticized by scientific organizations as being potentially unsafe for the mental health of homosexuals [39] and also creating conditions for the flourishing of prejudices and discrimination [4 ] [5] . Among the possible risks of such attempts, in particular, psychiatrists call depression, anxiety, self-destructive behavior associated with increased self-hatred [51] .

Pastor Mel White in 2006 categorically accuses the ex-gay movement of suicides of people who committed suicide without finding a way out of homosexuality [52] . However, the study, the result of which is set out in the 2009 APA resolution, did not allow specialists to draw any definite conclusions that the practices of correcting homosexuality are harmful and for what kind of people they are. Therefore, the APA recommends to proceed from the principle of “do no harm”, implying a potential hazard that has been shown by some studies [39] .

Analyzing the APA resolution, sexologist Igor Kon states: “A person can learn to hide, suppress or ignore his homoerotic inclinations, force himself to maintain heterosexual relations and an appropriate image. However, the results of these efforts are unpredictable and often short-term. When the external pressure is weakened, the individual usually returns to what is more organic for him ” [48] [49] .

Precedents

Существуют экс-экс-геи — гомосексуалы, которые разочаровались в целях экс-гей движения и оставили его. В качестве отдельных наиболее известных примеров можно привести следующие.

Известно, что два основателя « Исхода » Майкл Бюссе и Гэри Купер покинули созданную ими организацию и стали жить вместе как однополая пара [53] . Майкл Бюссе и два других лидера — Джереми Маркс и Дарлин Богль принесли извинения ЛГБТ-сообществу за то, что их деятельность «вызвала чувства изоляции, стыда, страха и потерю веры». Все трое заявили, что знали людей, которые пытались изменить свою сексуальную ориентацию с помощью группы экс-геев, но терпели неудачу, часто становясь депрессивными или даже склонными к суициду в результате [54] [55] [10] .

Гюнтер Браум ( Günter Baum ) — основатель организации экс-геев Wuestenstrom в Германии, позднее вышел из движения экс-геев, оставил основанную им организацию и создал новую — Zwischenraum , в которой гомосексуальность и христианство рассматриваются совместимыми.

Anthony Venn-Brown is a former Australian Evangelist of the Assembly of God ( Assemblies of God ) and the author of a book in which he described his experience of being in the first Australian ex-gay organization. He became one of the co-founders of the organization Freedom2b , which supports LGBT believers (helping them to combine religion and homosexuality) and non-religious LGBT people. In 2007, he coordinated the publication of statements by five Australian ex-gay leaders who publicly apologized for their past activities.

John Smid - the former leader of Love In Action, left the organization and apologized for any harm caused by the ex-gay activity. In November 2014, it became known that Smid married a partner [56] .

Peterson Toscano - American playwright, actor, comedian, who spent 17 years in the ex-gay movement, after which he became a gay activist internationally.

Sometimes some leaders of the ex-gay movement (for example, John Polk [57] [10] , Colin Cook [10] [11] , Michel Joston [58] ) found themselves at the center of scandalous stories related to the continuation of the homosexual lifestyle. Separate case lawsuits have been known for alleged sexual harassment by ex-gay therapists in relation to their same-sex clients [59] [60] .

see also

  • National Association for the Study and Therapy of Homosexuality
  • Egodistonic homosexuality
  • Reparative Therapy
  • Ex-ex-gay

Notes

  1. 2 1 2 3 4 Some Tormented by Homosexuality Look to a Controversial Therapy // The New York Times, February 12, 2007
  2. ↑ Pattison, EM, Pattison, ML (1980). Ex-gays: Religiously mediated change in homosexuals . American Journal of Psychiatry 137: 1553
  3. ↑ 1 2 3 4 Warren Throckmorton (2002). Initial empirical and clinical findings archived for ex-gays Archived May 4, 2008. . Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 33, 242—248
  4. 2 1 2 Royal College of Psychiatrists' Position Statement on Sexual Orientation
  5. ↑ 1 2 Statement of the American Psychological Association
  6. ↑ 1 2 For example:
    • Expert affidavit of Gregory M. Herek, Ph.D.
    • REPARATIVE THERAPY: STATEMENTS BY PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND THEIR LEADERS
    • The College of Psychiatrists
    • Sexual orientation and homosexuality
    • Há 20 anos, a OMS tirou a homossexualidade da relação de doenças mentais Archival copy dated May 19, 2011 on the Wayback Machine
    • Deutscher Bundestag. Antwortder Bundesregierung: Antihomosexuelle Seminare und pseudowissenschaftliche Therapieangebotereligiöser Fundamentalisten
  7. Department Letter from the Attorney General Meeting on the Law of the Rescue / Marriage Act // Department of Justice. Office of Public Affairs, February 23, 2011
  8. ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 APA Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation. (2009). Report the Task Force on the Appropriate Response to Sexual Orientation . Washington, DC: American Psychological Association
  9. ↑ PeopleCanChange.com (English)
  10. 2 1 2 3 4 5 History Of The Ex-Gay Ministries // Truth Wins Out
  11. ↑ 1 2 Fred & folks ... // Wall Street Journal, April 21, 1993
  12. ↑ Exodus Global Alliance . Our History Archive dated April 8, 2013 on the Wayback Machine
  13. ↑ Restoration Path . Name Change
  14. ↑ Exodus International Withdraws from Exodus Global Alliance Archive dated July 26, 2013 on the Wayback Machine // Exodus International, June 12
  15. ↑ Exodus International Shuts Down: Christian Ministry Apologizes To LGBT Community And The Halts Operations // The Huffington Post, June 20, 2013
  16. ↑ 'Ex-gay' group Exodus International shuts down // BBC, June 20, 2013
  17. ↑ Announcement - June 20, 2013 // Exodus Global Alliance
  18. Gene De genezen homo // geschiedenis24.nl
  19. ↑ 1 2 Johan van de Sluis (The Netherlands). Once A Homosexual / / publication of a brief autobiography of Johan van der Sluis on the Exodus Global Alliance website
  20. ↑ Official site Different Archival copy from February 22, 2010 on Wayback Machine
  21. ↑ The official website of True freedom Trust . Why we exist Archive dated March 13, 2013 on Wayback Machine
  22. ↑ Fellowship of Word and Spirit. Conduct Which Honors God? By simon vibert
  23. ↑ Medvandrarna , until November 2010
  24. ↑ Til Helhet
  25. ↑ Basis
  26. ↑ Aslan
  27. ↑ 1 2 Courage Apostolate. Frequently Asked Questions Archived copy of March 25, 2013 on Wayback Machine
  28. Ex 'Ex-Gay' Is Now A Legally Protected Sexual Orientation. That's Good // Queerty, 2009
  29. ↑ Split Decision on Ex-Gay Protections Archived July 19, 2012. // Advocate, August 25, 2009
  30. Levine, M., Perkins, DD, & Perkins, DV (2004). Principles of community psychology: Perspectives and applications (3rd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
  31. ↑ Folkman, S., & Lazarus, RS (1980). An analysis of middle-aged community sample. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 21, 219–239
  32. ↑ 1 2 3 Ponticelli, CM (1999). Secrets of sexual identity. Social Psychology Quarterly, 62, 157-172
  33. ↑ 1 2 3 Wolkomir, M. (2001). Emotion work, commitment, and commitment to self-support: Christian support groups. Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, 30, 305-334
  34. ↑ 1 2 Erzen, T. (2006). Straight to Jesus: Sexual and Christian conversions in the ex-gay movement. Los Angeles: University of California Press
  35. ↑ Exodus Global Alliance. What do you mean when you say homosexuals can change?
  36. ↑ Exodus Global Alliance. What's your "success rate"?
  37. ↑ People Can Change. What We Mean By "Change" Archived copy of April 8, 2013 on Wayback Machine
  38. ↑ No Easy Victory // Christianity Today, November 3, 2002
  39. ↑ 1 2 3 4 American Psychological Association. Just the Facts about Sexual Orientation & Youth
  40. 2 1 2 Focus on Family: Sexual orientation can change // The Denver Post, September 18, 2007
  41. Ex The Ex-Gay Movement: History, Psychology and Politics - A Tolerant Perspective Jeramy Townsley // February 2001, MBLGTACC University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
  42. ↑ Ex-gay or just exploited? // Orange County Register Communications, June 17, 2007
  43. Aching Approach agreement in debate over homosexuality // Los Angeles Times, June 18, 2007
  44. ↑ Exodus International. How to Find the Right Counselor for You Archived October 28, 2011.
  45. ↑ 1 2 Evergreen International. Myths Archived July 24, 2012.
  46. ↑ Evergreen International. Therapy Archive dated September 28, 2007 on Wayback Machine
  47. ↑ Insufficient Evidence That Sexual Orientation Change Efforts Work, Says APA // American Psychological Association, August 5, 2009
  48. ↑ 1 2 Igor Kon. Homosexuality is not a disease! // Psychology for every day, 2009, № 10, p.66
  49. ↑ 1 2 Igor Kon. An important decision of the American Psychological Association // Gay.ru, August 8, 2009
  50. ↑ Bachmann Silent on Allegations Her Clinic Offers Gay Conversion Therapy // ABC News, July 12, 2011
  51. ↑ American Psychiatric Association. (1998). "Reparative" therapy [Position statement]. Washington, DC: Author.
  52. ↑ Synopsis Archive dated January 13, 2013 on the Wayback Machine // ABC, August 22, 2006
  53. ↑ Journal; Lott's Lesbian Ally // The New York Times, July 22, 1998
  54. ↑ 3 from ex-gay group are sorry // Los Angeles Times, June 28, 2007
  55. ↑ Three former leaders of the ex-gay organization repented before homosexuals // Gay.ru, July 2, 2007
  56. ↑ Ex-Chef der Homoheiler heiratet einen Mann (German)
  57. ↑ Ex-Gay Leader Disciplined for Gay Bar Visit // Christianity Today, October 1, 2000
  58. ↑ Ex-gay leader Johnston allegedly had HIV-positive // Sovo.com, August 8, 2003
  59. Ex "Ex-Gay" Counselor Convicted Sexual Assault on Man // EDGE, September 13, 2007
  60. ↑ Bible college counsellor accused as gay predator Archive dated October 15, 2009 on the Wayback Machine // cnews.canoe.ca, February 12, 2008

Links

  • Antidogma: Ex-gay. Who are they, anyway?
  • Quirumir: Respect ex-gay
  • The priest who broke with the ex-gays, gave a lecture at the Royal University
  • Romance with the ex-gay: Chapter from the book of Anita Warfen and Bob Davis: “The one I love is gay ...”
  • Erroneous views on homosexuality, which can be encountered in the ex-gay missions of Warren Frockmorton
Source - https://ru.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Motion_ex-geev&oldid=99339065


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