Converting homosexuals: a battle for identity

It wasn’t until 1993 that the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from its official list of mental illnesses. The same changes had already taken place in 1973 by the American Association of Psychiatrists and the Ministry of Health in France in 1981.

Some religious groups have claimed homosexuality is anchored in psychology, reaching for explanations in the “affected” person’s past and present behaviors. Alfie’s Home by Richard Cohen is an example of this, as the children’s book depicts a boy who feels an attraction to other boys. A social worker finds the reasons behind his feelings: too much time spent with his mother, fights between his parents resulting in a damaged image of heterosexual relationships, lack of affection from his father, and being molested by his uncle. The counselor explained that he didn’t think the boy was gay, and finds a “cure” – Alfie can finally be “happy at home.

A cure for homosexuals?

According to homophobic groups, if we allow homosexual behavior to remain it will make people miserable – especially because it is forbidden by the Bible. If homosexuality can be explained by a modification of the individual’s psychology, then there are certainly ways to provide treatment and allow these people to live in peace with themselves and God.

Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable (Leviticus 18:22)

Hubert Lelievre, a priest for AIDS patients, reports his thoughts on homosexuality in his book “I Want to die living” (Je veux mourir vivant) :

I can not say that a life of homosexuality is good, it’s a road you take for the rest of your life. Besides, I never heard any of you tell me you were happy.

To summarize, homosexuals are depressed and in effect helping them to forget their sexuality leads to a happier life. Ironically, loneliness is one of the consequences from their conversion therapy. The only thing promised from these “treatments” is that homosexuals will forget their sexual tendencies and will remain single or abstinent for the rest of their lives. The US website Truth Wins Out aims to demystify these therapies, posting articles such as “Ex-Gay Is Not Necessarily Straight.” Mary L.Gary, Anthropology researcher at Indiana University,  remarks that another danger of this movement is it conducts therapy without authorization and without psychological support for the victims of this treatment.

The history of these conversion therapies is relatively old and the methods are varied. In the previous century, methods were more violent, such as lobotomies or discharging an electric shock every time the person had an erotic thought involving someone of the same sex. In “gender therapy,” it rehabilitates people to live in accordance to gender stereotypes. Men like sports and cars, and women clean and sew. The 1999 movie “But I’m a Cheerleader” shows these different therapies – highlighting home economic courses for girls and masculinity classes for men, and it even went as far as giving sex lessons.

The trailer reflects what was stated by Mary L. Gray – enrollment in these therapies is normally not voluntarily, but rather done by the parents. If they find their son to be too flamboyant or their daughter can’t seem to keep a boyfriend, then they push their children into these camps. In France, the UMP politician Christian Vanneste, had hoped it would be possible to administer this treatment to citizens. In the documentary “Je suis homo, et alors?” (I’m gay, so what?) by Arte, he claims:

When one sees this kind of development, [towards homosexuality, it should be possible] to give parents a therapeutic option, at least one treatment, to ensure that the person is changing. I think it would be a good solution.

According to Vanneste, the main reason for treating gays is that a society composed of “both heterosexuals and homosexuals” would be a “a threat to our future, and we don’t seem to understand this.” To counteract this threat, he is counting on the “reparing” movements in France, especially on the Internet. Under the pretense of teaching and understanding homosexuality, The website OserEnParler provides a list of links for people who think homosexuality is irreversible. In the same tone, the Exodus International movement offers evidence and support for their cause, along with an iPhone app.

One of Exodus International’s founders made it to Newsweek’s headline in 1998 with the striking title “Gay for Life?” On its website and iPhone app, it publishes daily tips for living in abstinence by stigmatizing homosexuality. John Avarosis, blogger for AMERICAblog, states that the organisation is in part targeting children, and thus Exodus represents a potentially fatal danger. A popular petition launched by Truth Wins Out has requested the removal of this application from the App Store, arguing that it broadcasts hate speeches against a specific group of people (meeting the requirement for withdrawal as stated in Apple’s terms and conditions).

Biased medicine

Religious groups are not the only advocates for these treatments. In Spain there’s an actual clinic which converts gays [FR]. One specialist from this establishment claims:

Nobody wants to be a homosexual, it’s a curse. If they could change their sexual orientation with a pill, 99% of them would.

Similarly, many British psychiatrist claim they can provide an effective treatment – 1 out of 5 according to a study in 2009. Yet a particularly interesting case is that of Lesley Pickington. Pressed by journalist Patrick Strudwick, she said homosexuality was “a mental illness, an addiction and an anti-religious phenomenon.” Following her statements, the psychiatrist responsible for her treatment could lose his accreditation – a punishment seen as extreme for some conservative politicians, such as MEP Roger Helmer:

He was immediately corrected by a spokesman for the conservative party:

What lesbian and gay people need is equal treatment by society, not misguided treatment by a minority of health professionals.

This is especially relevant considering surgical sex changes and “turning” homosexuals have nothing to do with each other, according to Mary L. Gray. While the former tries to connect the body with the person, the other is a denial of an important part of one’s identity through non-medical avenues.

Putting an end to homophobia

Mary L. Gray thinks that these forms of treatment are dangerous in that they carry negative beliefs about homosexuality. One of these misinformed obsessions is that talking about homosexuality to children is a serious problem because they could become gay. The line between homosexuality and pedophilia is often blurred.

One way to negate these absurd beliefs is to talk more openly about homosexuality, especially in schools. This is not likely to happen anytime soon in France, considering a film recounting the love story between two fish Felix and Leo was banned in the state. Yet there is some hope – In California, there is talk about including the LGBT movement in history books and thus curbing homophobia. Maybe it’s a partial solution.

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Photo Credits: Flickr My Little Pony Pride by Austin & Zack