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How should we think about sexual orientation? Is homosexual attraction caused by nature, nurture, or a combination of both? Is orientation change possible?
Disagreement about the answers to these questions often enters into our dialogue here, so we offer these links and pages giving different perspectives.
Conceptualizing sexual orientation
Many find terminology and concepts developed by Fritz Klein in his studies of bisexuality extremely helpful in developing cross-divide discourse about sexual orientation.
A Sexual Orientation Worksheet (uses the Klein Scale)
SGA, SGB, SGF, SGI
sga: Same Gender (sexual) Attraction
sgb: Same Gender (sexual) Behavior
sgf: Same Gender (sexual) Fantasy
sgi: Same Gender (gay) Identity
OGA, OGB, OGF, OGI
oga: Opposite Gender (sexual) attraction
ogb: Opposite Gender (sexual) behavior
ogf: Opposite Gender (sexual) fantasy
ogi: Opposite Gender (heterosexual) identity.
Nature/Nurture
The American Psychiatric Association's Fact Sheet (a PDF file) on Gay Lesbian Bisexual issues
"All major professional mental heath organizations have gone on record to affirm that homosexuality is not a mental disorder" ... Some people believe that sexual orientation is innate and fixed; however, sexual orientation develops across a person's lifetime" ... "Noone knows what causes heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality... to date there are no replicated scientific studies supporting any specific biological etiology for homosexuality. Similarly, no specific psychosocial or family dynamic cause for homosexuality has been identified, including histories of family sexual abuse."
NARTH: "Are Gays Born That Way?" http://www.narth.com/docs/bornway.html
"The best overall summary of most respected researchers is that homosexuality (like most other psychological conditions) is due to a combination of social, biological, and psychological factors." The quote is from a paper by NARTH which quotes from researchers in the field, researchers from both sides of the divide. This paper is far more balanced than most NARTH papers and books which not only push a developmental theory, they also pathologize homosexuality.
The Great Nature-Nurture Debate (Chapter 7 of Thomas Schmidt's Straight and Narrow)
[table summarizing the multivariant model]
Are People Born Gay? article by New Direction
A B-A Conversation with Chandler Burr and Daryl Bem
Daryl Bem's Exotic Becomes Erotic and Political Postscript
Sexual Conversion therapy
American Psychiatric Association: COPP Position Statement on Therapies Focused on Attempts to Change Sexual Orientation (Reparative or Conversion Therapies)
"The validity, efficacy, and ethics of clinical attempts to change an individual's sexual orientation have been challenged. To date there are no scientifically rigrous outcome studies to determine either the actual efficacy or harm of "reparative" treatments. There is sparse scientific data about select criteria, risks versus benefits of the treatment, and long-term outcomes of "reparative" therapies. The literature consists of anecdotal reports of individuals who have claimed to change, people who claim that attempts to change were harmful to them, and others who claimed to have changed and then later recanted those claims."
Page 4, excerpt from 1998 Position Statement.
"The American Psychiatric Association does not currently have a formal position statement on treatments that attempt to change a person's sexual orientation... there is no published evidence regarding the efficacy of "reparative therapy" ... More importantly, altering sexual orientation is not an appropriate goal of psychiatric treatment... The American Psychiatric Associan opposes any psychiatric treatment, such as "reparative" or "conversion" therapy that is based on the assumption that homosexuality per se is based on a mental disorder, or based upon a prior assumption that a patient should change his/her sexual orientation."
American Psychological Association. Guidelines for Psychotherapy with Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Clients
NARTH "We believe that clients have the right to claim a gay identity, or to diminish their homosexuality and to develop their heterosexual potential." "NARTH agrees with the American Psychological Association that "biological, psychological and social factors" shape sexual identity at an early age for most people. But the difference is one of emphasis. We place more emphasis on the psychological (family, peer and social) influences, while the American Psychological Association emphasizes biological influences--and has shown no interest in (indeed, a hostility toward) investigating those same psychological and social influences."
Joseph Nicolosi: NARTH Survey
New Direction: Homosexuality and the Possibility of Change: An Ongoing Research Project
Exodus International "Exodus is a nonprofit, interdenominational Christian organization promoting the message of Freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus Christ."
There are ex-gay testimonies at this site.
Finally Free: Personal Stories: How Love and Acceptance Saved us from "Ex-Gay" Ministries
(pdf file)
Testimonies of ex-exgays, a publication of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
Mission Impossible: Why Reparative Therapies and Ex-Gay Ministries Fail (pdf file)
by Kim I. Mills, Education Director, Human Rights Campaign
Jones & Yarhouse's Homosexuality:The Use of Scientific Research in the Church's Moral Debate A book review by Jeramy Townsley (April, 2001)
A response by Jones and Yarhouse to Townsley's review.
Patricia Nell Warren, Choice in Sexual Orientation: The Sword that Cuts Both Ways (offsite link)
2001 "Cures versus Choices: Agendas in Sexual Reorientation Therapy"
by A. Lee Beckstead, PhD
Abstract: Longstanding debates have occured in the mental health fields on the issues surrounding sexual reoriantation therapy. Both sides agree that a subset of individuals with same-sex attraction seeks help or a "cure" for their homosexual attractions. However, each position tends to respond with a limited, exclusionary choice to be an "out" gay or an "ex"-gay. These dichotomized options may not serve all clients with same-sex attractions who are seeking help in dealing with religious conflicts. The perspectives of 20 individuals (2 women, 18 men) who report benefiting from reparative/conversion therapy are described. In contrast to previous imprecise claims of change, a more complex conceptual framework is presented regarding the definitions of a successful outcome from such treatments. Research and political implications are discussed as well as the need for more effective clinical strategies that integrate conservative social identities with same-sex attractions [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Sercice: 1-800-HAWORTH. Email address: <getinfo@haworthpressinc.com> Website: <http://www.HaworthPress.com> 2001 by the Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.]
GID (Gender Identity Disorder)
Gene Chase's Review of Gender Shock by Phyllis Burke
Nancy Sharp, Medical Abuse of GLBT Youth
Miscellaneous