Alan Chambers, president of the world’s largest “ex-gay” organisation, Exodus International, recently renounced the group’s long-held position that homosexuality can be “cured” – that gay people can become straight.
Since 1976, Exodus has been working with people who experience a conflict between their faith and their sexuality. It has over 260 groups ministering around the world, including in Australia.
Last month, the Californian government passed a bill outlawing reparative therapy for people under the age of 18. In response, Exodus released a statement saying, “we do not subscribe to therapies that make changing sexual orientation a main focus or goal.”
Addressing the most recent Exodus annual conference, Chambers reiterated this position. In a speech that blended camp humour and biblical references, he said that there was no quick fix for people struggling with unwanted homosexual desire. There was no “magic wand” that could be waved, so gays could “go be straight and mate”.
Chambers, who identifies as “ex-gay” and is married with two children, admitted that he still has same-sex desires. He argued that Exodus’ primary mission should be to help Christians manage their homosexual desires. They should no longer encourage clients to expect their homosexual desires to disappear, or to experience heterosexual desires.
“Change isn’t the absence of struggle,” he said, “it’s the freedom in the midst of that struggle to make a different decision.”
This shift away from conversion therapy brings Exodus into line with established medical and psychiatric opinion. The American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from its Diagnostic and Statistics Manual (DSM) for mental illness in 1973. The World Health Organisation (WHO) followed in 1990, removing homosexuality from its International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10).
In May of this year, the Pan American Health Organization released a statement saying that so-called “reparative” or “conversion” therapies “represent a serious threat to the health and well-being of affected people.”
No peer-reviewed study has demonstrated that complete change in sexual orientation is possible. In 2003 Dr Robert Spitzer) published an un-refereed paper widely cited by conversion groups as proof that change was possible. The study merely demonstrated that people with strong ideological (that is religious) motivations could achieve a reduction in homosexual desire.
Ironically, Spitzer had been instrumental in the removal of homosexuality from the DSM in 1973. The 2003 paper has since been shown to be methodologically flawed. Spitzer retracted it earlier this year.
Leading Australian campaigner against conversion therapy, Anthony Venn-Brown reports that at least ten organisations, including Exodus, currently offer reparative or conversion therapies in Australia. All of these groups are grounded in conservative Christian ideological opposition to homosexuality. They offer a combination of psychological and spiritual therapies to clients from predominantly religious backgrounds.
Conversion therapy plays a much wider role in Australian sexual politics than simply (mis)treating gay and lesbian Christians. This religiously inspired, pseudo-psychological discourse forms one of the only institutional bulwarks to homophobia in Australian culture.
In their literature, conversion groups resist calling people “lesbian” or “gay”. Rather, they refer to people suffering with “same-sex attraction”, “unwanted homosexual desires”, and “the homosexual lifestyle”. This language associates homosexuality solely with sex and sexual desire.
They dissociate homosexuality from love, family and all other aspects of humanity and human relationships. Unsurprisingly, this same language informs all the “family values” organisations currently mobilised in Australia against same-sex marriage and same-sex parenting.
Exodus’ recent admission that so-called “ex-gays” never lose their homosexual desires amounts to an acknowledgement that reparative and conversion therapy doesn’t work. The world’s largest “ex-gay” organisation has all but stated that gay people cannot become straight. This admission is monumental. It has the potential to radically undermine one of the major tenets of religious homophobia: that sexuality is a choice.
Sean Lamb
Science Denier
People change their sexual orientation all the time. I have no idea why anyone makes such a big deal of it.
Oh wait, I forgot. Sexual orientation is genetically determined - anyone who moves from straight to being gay was suppressing their true identity all along - probably under brainwashing of bigot Christians. Phew! That was a narrow escape, I almost broke away from groupthink for a minute
Sean Lamb
Science Denier
Speaking of someone who thought sexual identity was bunkum, it appears Gore Vidal has died. Thats two of my must-read Americans dead in as many weeks. The other was Alexander Cockburn.
They don't seem to be being replaced.
Grendelus Malleolus
Senior Nerd
"People change their sexual orientation all the time"
You have evidence of this phenomenon?
Sean Lamb
Science Denier
There was one on Australian story last week.
Oh wait, she was really lesbian all the time.
Anna Butler
Environmental Scientist
Actually, she hid her sexuality from the public, because people like you make us afraid to be ourselves. As a professional "Mocker", (and I'm going to assume heterosexual) who has never experienced fear because of who you are, you have every qualification necessary to disagree with the American Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organisation - that is, your Cert IV in Self Righteousness.
David Skidmore
Community Worker
Christianity, like other delusions, can be cured. Nobody is born Christian and anyone can leave the Christian lifestyle. I'm sorry - how politically incorrect of me to say such things.
Jeff Poole
logged in via Facebook
So many straw men in one post...
Sweetie - I can tell you all about how Exodus work because I;m one of their many many failures. Just like you (?) I hated myself for being gay so I tried to change using these people's methods. Fortunately it was in England where the torture aspect of their 'cure' is less prominent.
Happily it didn't work, what it did do was point out the sheer vacuity of christian belief. And the self-hatred of those poor deluded fools who cling to it
I
Grendelus Malleolus
Senior Nerd
Sean's Anecdote ÷ actual data
_________________________ = Fail
Self-appointed mocker role
Sean Lamb
Science Denier
Did you actually watch the program, she only became aware she was a lesbian after the birth of her first baby and husband left her when she watched a TV drama "Playing the Field".
How has that got anything to do with public?
I am sorry you have experienced fear because of who you are, but I fail to see how that is the fault of people who share the views of me and Gore Vidal.
But I am sure you will be back to reveal this mystery and share more of your terrible sufferings.
Sean Lamb
Science Denier
How about John Maynard Keynes and virtually the entire population of undergraduate 1930's Cambridge? John Nash?
The Royal Navy? Let me know when you have enough "data"
Shirley Birney
retiree
Procreation fills the begging bowls.
Grendelus Malleolus
Senior Nerd
"People change their sexual orientation all the time"
I wonder if here we have a miscommunication - when you suggest people 'change' their orientation are you imagining sexual orientation as a binary state? Either heterosexual or homosexual at any given time? Do you consider the concepts of bisexual or assexual to be valid? Do you accept the theory proposed (and subsequently supported by some research) that sexual orientation continuum rather than one of two states (hetero or homosexual) but that include everything from exclusive attraction to the opposite sex to exclusive attraction to your own sex?
Sean Lamb
Science Denier
"I wonder if here we have a miscommunication - when you suggest people 'change' their orientation are you imagining sexual orientation as a binary state?"
Read moreNo, I am disputing the significance of sexual orientation. In same way I don't think there is much cosmic significance in my aversion to brussel sprouts. I admit I do have a sneaking suspicion that those culinary degenerates who actually enjoy eating brussel sprouts may be up to no good and I would heartily support the government putting up…
Grendelus Malleolus
Senior Nerd
"he only thing that changed with John Nash when he got married and stopped trawling public toilets for sex was he wasn't having sex with men. Nothing else."
So he didn't change his orientation, just his partner?
"managing and disciplining your sexual desires is just what adults - normal adults - do."
Why is that relevent to your claim of changing orientation?
"No, I point at it and laugh derisively."
Feel free, but please note that your derisive laughter provides a source of mirth to those who know it is not evidence-based derisive laughter.
Sean Lamb
Science Denier
Dear me, this is difficult
"So he didn't change his orientation, just his partner?"
Yes he changed his orientation changed, but only in your head. It is a construct that has a reality in your mind, but it didn't have a reality John Nash's mind.
You are free to view the world through whatever lenses you choose, what you aren't free to claim is your views have a cosmological or universal significance.
Read moreIf people are having sex with those of the same sex - what business is it of ours? If some…
Sean Lamb
Science Denier
Mr Poole, this is going to come to enormous disappointment to you - but I really don't care what you do between the sheets, or on the lounge or kitchen table either.
People who think christian belief is vacuous probably don't understand it. Just between you and me I am a poor advertisement for the christian faith. I am rather like one of those people who are living in a city fought between the government and the rebels who avoids choosing sides until he is quite sure which is going to win. But when he works it out loudly claims: "Of course I was fighting the tyrannical regime all along you know"
Anna Butler
Environmental Scientist
To set the record straight (oh the irony...), I have no sufferings to share. I grew up in a tolerant environment surrounded by tolerant people. That is not to say that I don't feel fear in new situations, particularly as I now live in Far North QLD, where THE gay club (situated discreetly away from the other clubs, so as not to offend with its lack of "gay pride" paraphernalia) was fire bombed. Twice in a week.
Read moreNo, I didn't watch the program as I don't have a TV. But I read the article, which said…
Anna Butler
Environmental Scientist
As much as it pains me, I agree with what (I think) you are trying to say Sean. I agree, labels of homosexual and heterosexual are irrelevant creations of society, as so eloquently said by Gore Vidal (see Sean's first positively received comment at top of comment section).
Read moreThe issue however arises in the fact that society persists in labeling ourselves. "I'm straight and homo's are an abomination!" or "I'm gay, proud, and am going to shove my rainbow flag down your throat until you treat me with…
Wayne Cloete
Admin
This article is one sided. The exodus guy has explained where he is coming from on his website. He explained we need to stop making the Golden Calf of change and learn how to be more Christ like and that through Christ healing comes. So do your self a favour and go listen to the exodus statement on what was said. This article is sensationalism with its bold headline nothing more. Exodus arnt out to harm people on contrary. Once again the Christians are mocked. Anyway it was all said in the bible. Gay = broken, human = broken no Christ of the bible = broken. You are not born gay you are gay because of broken relationships with either your mother or your father. Simple as that.Read your bible and stop reading the headlines.
David Skidmore
Community Worker
If you read the Bible you would find terms such as 'gay' and 'sexual orientation' or even 'heterosexuality' not even mentioned. That is because such concepts didn't exist when it was written. The Bible, the Koran, the Talmud are about as useful here as Grimms' fairytales.
Jeff Poole
logged in via Facebook
Read some science and stop reading the ravings of Bronze-Age genocidal loonies like Moses
Joel Mayes
Bicycle Mechanic
I've read the bible and I am constantly amazed by how little of the content correlates to the beliefs held by mainstream Christians.
Grendelus Malleolus
Senior Nerd
I read the bible through many many times as a child and young adult attempting to understand this thing called "faith" that I was supposed to have and that all those around me demanded must exist within me. The inconsistencies within the text, and the greater ones between the text and those who proclaimed it never rang true.
Once I learned to think critically the last vestiges of religion having any credibility rapidly vanished.
Reading the bible was great - it convinced me that there is likely no god and that religion is a human construct aimed at best to guide behaviour and at worst to maintain the social order of those in power.
Michael Leonard Furtado
Dr at University of Queensland
Nice article, Tim, though, in fairness, when you assert that 'all of these groups are grounded in conservative Christian ideological opposition to homosexuality', you downplay the point that this is still an intensely contested ideological site ON MANY FRONTS, that there ARE Christian, Jewish and Buddhist groups that hold that the problem with so-called reparative therapy is with means (rather than ends), and that there is a shrill discourse within queer theory (as with some heterosexuals) that rejects the view that human sexuality has any association whatsoever with human love, commitment and affection.
Let's expose fundamentalist flaws on all sides when they debase and distort the complexity of the human condition, rather than opt for pouring scorn on just one facile and absurd target.
Tom Hennessy
Retired
Quote: The inconsistencies within the text
Answer: This is a class they teach which brings some of these inconsistencies into 'line' using Jack Addington's work.
PS 107 - Metaphysical Interpretation and Review of the Bible
(39 hours/13 weeks)
This class, based on Jack Addington's book, The Hidden Mystery of the
Bible," will introduce New Thought students to the hidden or esoteric
meanings of Biblical scriptures. Students will begin to understand
the deeper meanings of names, places and numbers found in the Bible, and
will uncover an infinite source of illumination and wisdom.
Textbooks:
The Hidden Mystery of the Bible, Jack Addington; The Science of Mind,
Ernest Holmes; The Bible
Shirley Birney
retiree
Nonsense - fire and brimstone to scare the masses:
http://www.smirkingchimp.com/node/36147
Sean Lamb
Science Denier
"Once I learned to think critically the last vestiges of religion having any credibility rapidly vanished."
How splendid for you!
As someone once said: I wish I was as sure about anything as you seem to be about everything.
Timothy Jones
DECRA Research Fellow at La Trobe University
Thanks Michael for this corrective. You're right to point out that there are other religious groups engaged in various types of conversion and reparative therapy, although the majority, by far, are Christian. I'm not aware of any groups engaged in this type of 'therapy' that are not grounded in a religious position.
I think the trend in 'ex-gay' groups away from conversion, towards a reconciliation of homosexual desire and religious identity is a positive one. It's quite courageous of Chambers to attempt to change Exodus' direction on this matter.
Mike Swinbourne
logged in via Facebook
"...Since 1976, Exodus has been working with people who experience a conflict between their faith and their sexuality...."
The answer to this is so simple! People could simply accept things that they can't change, and which are perfectly normal anyway, and give up things they both can change and can do without.
Stay gay - stop being a christian. Problem solved.
Comment removed by moderator.
Sean Lamb
Science Denier
"Freudians were never able to come up with a proper work (instead of a hybrid Greek-Latin one) for heterosexuality because the Greeks didn't know what it was. They knew about reproduction. They knew about lust and love. They knew about the intensity of sexual desire between men and men, women and women, but for them, Lesbos was just an island off the coast of Asia Minor while Sappho was your average Pulitzer Prize winner poet."
RIP Gore Vidal. Even in your grave (well you probably aren't quite there yet) you still have the ability to make the heads of the pompous explode.
Dianna Arthur
Dianna Arthur is a Friend of The Conversation.
Environmentalist
"Chambers, who identifies as “ex-gay” and is married with two children, admitted that he still has same-sex desires."
I feel sorry for the partners of these "reformed" homosexuals. Imagine having sex with someone who REALLY isn't that into you.
No apologies for double entendre.
Michael Leonard Furtado
Dr at University of Queensland
As, indeed, do I, Dianna, but sorrow, linked with forgiveness, is a Christian virtue though it mainly reveals a puritanical and judgmental streak in this discourse. There ARE other explanations and cultural positions on this question that transcend the easy resort to moral opprobrium, here in evidence in quite a few posts on both sides. These relate to anthropology and custom and change over aeons of historical time, as Sean has insightfully referenced (though somewhat abrasively and irascibly, in…
Read moreDianna Arthur
Dianna Arthur is a Friend of The Conversation.
Environmentalist
Just a minor correction to your post, Michael:
"but sorrow, linked with forgiveness, is a Christian virtue"
Christianity has only been around for roughly 2000 years, forgiveness a lot longer.
There are many virtues which Christians claim for themselves, despite rarely displaying them.
Otherwise I found your post quite interesting.
Thank you.
Michael Leonard Furtado
Dr at University of Queensland
True, Dianna; and Chambers will have had to pay the price for his honesty with some of his more vituperative followers, rather than their enemies. I think the real hero in this drama may well be his wife.
Dianna Arthur
Dianna Arthur is a Friend of The Conversation.
Environmentalist
So often is the case.
:)
Bill Abrahams
RHD Student
How fascinating, it seems the presence of these Exodus-type groups is something that you don’t hear much about in an Australian context, and yet by his quasi- renouncement Chambers seems to have drawn unprecedented attention to the groups, what a sneaky bugger