Sexuality / sexual orientation: therapy won't "fix" it

The American Psychological Association Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation recently (August 2009) finished a review which concluded that trying to change sexual orientation isn't likely to work and may involve some risk of harm -  despite the claims of sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) practitioners that therapy can "cure" homosexuality.

From the APA's summary:

"Even though the research and clinical literature demonstrate that same-sex sexual and romantic attractions, feelings, and behaviors are normal and positive variations of human sexuality, regardless of sexual orientation identity, the task force concluded that the population that undergoes SOCE tends to have strongly conservative religious views that lead them to seek to change their sexual orientation.

Thus, the appropriate application of affirmative therapeutic interventions for those who seek SOCE involves therapist acceptance, support, and understanding of clients and the facilitation of clients’ active coping, social support, and identity exploration and development, without imposing a specific sexual orientation identity outcome."

See also:

• Executive summary
• Report of the American Psychological Association Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation

Via LA Times.