Conflicting views in Seattle

SEATTLE (AP) — Conflicting viewpoints on whether homosexual orientation can — or should — be changed will be voiced at two conferences in the Seattle area over the next few weeks.

On one side are those who believe that God created men and women to be heterosexual and that homosexuality is largely a coping mechanism for emotional damage faith in Christ will heal.

On the other side are Christians who believe homosexuality cannot and should not be changed and that religion-based therapy to sexually reorient gays is both a psychological as well as a spiritual dead end.

Exactly what causes some people to be gay has been the subject of endless debate. Scientific studies are showing there is a biological component — such as genes or hormones — to homosexuality. But researchers don't dismiss the possibility that social factors may also play a role.

Science also has not proven whether or not homosexuality is changeable. But there is ample evidence showing that change is extremely difficult, said Dr. Jack Drescher, chairman of the American Psychiatric Association's committee on gay, lesbian and bisexual issues. Most mainstream health organizations — including the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association and the American Medical Association — oppose or are critical of efforts to change a person's sexual orientation, saying to do so could be harmful.

"Our bottom line and that of the mainstream mental-health community for the last 30 years is that homosexuality is not an illness and therefore does not need to be changed or cured," said Rhea Farberman, a spokeswoman with the American Psychological Association. --> "Regardless of cause," says Alan Chambers, president of Orlando, Fla.-based Exodus International, a nationwide network of so-called "ex-gay" ministries, "homosexuality is not what God wants for humankind." Biology could be a factor in homosexuality, he says, but "genetics or biology is not supposed to have tyranny over free will."

Robert Taylor, ex-gay minister who says with God's help he turned away from homosexuality as a high school student, says it's not how a person gets there. "The choice is will you stay or will you leave?"