From Deseret News archives:
Gays can't be expected to change, experts say
But they indicate sexual identification may differ at times
The panel was part of a national conference of Parents, Friends and Family of Lesbians and Gays being held in Salt Lake City this weekend. On Saturday, the panel discussed the question of so-called reparative therapy, which purports to help people change from homosexual to heterosexual.
Dr. Lisa Diamond, a researcher at the University of Utah, told members from PFLAG chapters across the country that the outlook on sexual orientation is changing, and where people once saw black-and-white distinctions between homosexuals and heterosexuals, now there is a more accepted view that sexual identification is fluid.
"It doesn't say anything about the nature of sexual orientation," Diamond said. "It's about the nature of life."
She said sexual self-identification is often dependent on one's circumstances. A woman who once identified as bisexual who is in a monogamous same-sex relationship may find it easier to identify as lesbian. A man who finds himself almost exclusively attracted to men may nonetheless find it limiting to describe himself as gay.
Representatives for organizations that practice reparative or conversion therapy could not be reached for comment Saturday. However, a statement on the Web site of Evergreen International, a Salt Lake-based organization that promotes change in sexual orientation based on standards of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, agreed that sexual orientation is unique from individual to individual.
"Evergreen views homosexuality as an unintentionally acquired condition that may have biological, developmental and psychological causes," the site says. "It is not a predetermined or unchangeable condition, but one that can be altered. The speed and extent of your transition will, to a large degree, be determined by your own individual set of challenges."
Dr. Tim Murphy, a researcher at the University of Illinois' College of Medicine, said attempts to "cure" homosexuals have led to "a lot of objectionable therapies, not only in psychiatry but in medicine." These have included everything from testicular transplants to prescribed bicycle riding.
Comments
- MGM says it's looking for buyer 3:01 p.m.
- No. 7 Ga. Tech routs Duke, 49-10 2:54 p.m.
- Sunday TV news shows guests 2:52 p.m.
- Heroine names: Worthy women, icons 2:44 p.m.
- Open letter to son on 16th birthday 2:41 p.m.
- Bamboo not an instant nightmare 2:40 p.m.
- Yardsmart: Delectable winter greens 2:37 p.m.
- Flowers in a beautiful setting 2:35 p.m.
- Dealing with pet ear injuries 2:34 p.m.
- Smooth talk wrinkles mall walk 2:32 p.m.
- Apostle's wife felt comfort in attack
- Short-handed Jazz fly past Sixers
- Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
- D-Will home for daughter
- Bench proves fruitful for Y.
- Utes excited for 'dream' game
- Born of water and the spirit
- Man killed during 3rd I-15 crash
- Woods Cross refinery to shut down
- 5A: Bingham rolls to title game
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
352 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
199 - Senators want food tax restored
164 - Will state consider gay rights law?
146 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
129 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
118 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
113 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
105 - Celtics crush Jazz
104
If you are looking for a bird on the cheap, the following specials from...
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
A lot of words with little substance. Why was the Lord himself babptised by...
This is an ugly game. Stay in their Cougars, go score quick and defense hold...
That's it live on the wouldas, etc. ----like your win at Washington ..Huh...
Re Leo, you make a big assumption about the Bible. It never claims to be the...
Horrible game plans and both sides of the ball. Seriously can we not handle...
To Awesomeron: I am not sure I can answer your question and stay between the...
PBS has some excellent programs, available on-line as well. Last night,...
The Log Cabin Republicans is a conservative group of Republicans that believe...
If you look at the pictures you notice they have ventilators. Are you always...
One is trying to look like an upstanding member of society; the other like a...

You can be the first to comment on this story.