(Thumbnail image from Truth Wins Out.org)

“A significant step forward for those who believe in nature vs. nurture in the debate over what causes people to become gay or lesbian. The American Psychological Association has declared that mental health professionals should NOT tell gay clients that they can become straight through therapy or other treatments…” (WETM)

The headlines read similarly: The American Psychological Association has rejected the use of so-called “reparative therapy” to help clients change their sexual orientation.

But our research reveals there is still more debate over the APA’s research, with praise and criticism coming from some unlikely sources.

The APA does say therapists should warn clients about the lack of evidence suggesting their orientation could be changed through therapy. But the organization also acknowledges the benefits of helping some people suppress their unwanted sexual behavior due to religious convictions.

Dr. Judith Glassgold, leader of the APA panel on this issue, put it this way in the New York Times:

“The religious psychotherapists have to open up their eyes to the potential positive aspects of being gay or lesbian. Secular therapists have to recognize that some people will choose their faith over their sexuality.”

On CNN, conversion therapist Richard Cohen, argues psychologists shouldn’t encourage people to accept their homosexual desires if that’s not what they want.

“People have a right to determine how they wish to live their life. If they choose to live a gay life, great, OK. But to say that I have to live as a gay man because I had those desires, that’s discrimination.”

The thought of supporting sexual suppression caused criticism from Wayne Besen, head of the LGBT organization Truth Wins Out. While he is pleased with most of the APA report, he expresses his concerns in The Huffington Post, saying…

“…most people would find that such repression is destructive to self-worth and psychological well-being.”

In his blog on The Christian Post, psychologist Warren Throckmorton praises the APA’s ability to balance religion and sexual orientation in their report. He acknowledges innate orientation may not change, but says behaviors can, which is all that matters in religion.

“I think some people feel they have moved on the Kinsey scale because they have better self-control regarding same-sex behavior. Orthodox Christianity does not require [innate] changes in order to pursue spiritual development.”

But in a different report from CNN, Dr. Benjamin McCommon warns of the dangers involved with trying to simply ignore sexual desires.

“They, in not succeeding, are subject to risks of being depressed, being anxious, even suicidal. Some people who go through this therapy actually try quite hard. They become married, have children, and then they’re faced with that their sexual orientation hasn’t changed, and what do you do then? It can often be a tragic situation.”

Can someone change his or her sexual orientation? And what role should psychologists play?