NY Daily News - Psychiatrist retracts infamous study claiming gay people can turn straight through therapy

[Predicto]

The psychiatrist behind a prominent 2001 study declaring people can go from gay to straight has retracted his original claims.

Although the research is still cited by anti-gay organizations as proof that so-called ex-gay therapy works to change someone's sexual orientation, the study has endured scientific criticism for years.

Now, Robert Spitzer, who led the research, told American Prospect that he wants to publish a retraction.

"In retrospect, I have to admit I think the critiques are largely correct," Spitzer said. "The findings can be considered evidence for what those who have undergone ex-gay therapy say about it, but nothing more."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-styl...#ixzz1rwWBq8gt

Interesting. I wonder if Michele Bachman's husband will have to find a new profession.

[Thiebear]

Has to be genetic: I apparently am genetically pushed towards secretaries that have no income and horrible mothers.
Question: If you don't have sex for 10 years are you gay or straight or neither?

[twa]

so does the study then show the ones that want to can be cured?

I do agree extrapolating the results to those no desiring it was a reach

they will probably come out with a pill soon anyway

[JimboDaMan]

so does the study then show the ones that want to can be cured?

I do agree extrapolating the results to those no desiring it was a reach

they will probably come out with a pill soon anyway

Cured? Of finding those of the same gender to be sexually attractive? Probably works a well as it would changing your orientation. I mean, if you really wanted to switch away from women.

[Predicto]

so does the study then show the ones that want to can be cured?

You are correct. Self-loathing is a powerful psychological force.

[Teller]

Shocker.

I've always thought the people who think people "choose" to be gay are idiots. I don't recall choosing to be straight. Why would it be different for homosexuals? And who in the name of God would elect a lifestyle that guarantees fewer rights?

But then, y'all know what they say about common sense. Ain't so common.

[LadySkinsFan]

Well, I tried the Great Heterosexual Experiment for about 15 years and it didn't change my orientation.

[JMS]

I don't think this was just a 2001 study. This was a long standing belief inside the Psychiatry dating back to Freud.. I also remember reading about the position in the Psychiatric community in the early 1970's.

I think most people have considered this BS for many decades.

[Predicto]

I don't think this was just a 2001 study. This was a long standing belief inside the Psychiatry dating back to Freud.. I also remember reading about the position in the Psychiatric community in the early 1970's.

I think most people have considered this BS for many decades.

Correct. It was an assumption in the early psychiatric community. Homosexuality was classified as a mental illness. Then, people noticed that there was no scientific evidence to support that, so the mental illness classification was dropped.

Then, this study came out purporting to show that gays could be "cured," and it got a hell of a lot of attention.

Now it is debunked. And here we are.

[twa]

You are correct. Self-loathing is a powerful psychological force.

Indeed, and changes behavior
A wise old man once told me that when something(smoking,in that instance,but a universal theme with him) becomes a sin to you you will quit.


He was wise enough to leave it up to me if that will ever occur.

[Predicto]

Indeed, and changes behavior
A wise old man once told me that when something(smoking,in that instance,but a universal theme with him) becomes a sin to you you will quit.


He was wise enough to leave it up to me if that will ever occur.

Of course, as any "cured" alcoholic can tell you, you may stop drinking, you may never never touch another drop, but you are still an alcoholic and you will be one for the rest of your life.

And a gay person can deny his or her reality, and never again indulge in sexual acts with another person of the same sex, that is their choice to make. But they are still the same person they always were at the core.

[DCSaints_fan]

Well, I tried the Great Heterosexual Experiment for about 15 years and it didn't change my orientation.

This is something I never quite understand... and this is no offense to you. It seems like "orientation" means attracted to men, or women. (or possibly both). I don't understand how you can "experiment" with being hetero/homosexual. You either find (at least) men/women attractive, and find intercourse with them appealing, or you don't.

[twa]

But they are still the same person they always were at the core.

Does the core matter or the externals?
You decide

[Predicto]

This is something I never quite understand... and this is no offense to you. It seems like "orientation" means attracted to men, or women. (or possibly both). I don't understand how you can "experiment" with being hetero/homosexual. You either find (at least) men/women attractive, and find intercourse with them appealing, or you don't.

Sexuality is a spectrum, not an either/or choice.

Plus, societal pressure and the need to conform can make people deny reality for a long time. Just ask KoolBlue13 about his dad.

---------- Post added April-13th-2012 at 11:59 AM ----------

Does the core matter or the externals?
You decide

Well, to me the core matters if you are claiming that something is a "disorder" that can be "cured."

To some, I guess it is all about the externals.

[JMS]

Of course, as any "cured" alcoholic can tell you, you may stop drinking, you may never never touch another drop, but you are still an alcoholic and you will be one for the rest of your life.

And a gay person can deny his or her reality, and never again indulge in sexual acts with another person of the same sex, that is their choice to make. But they are still the same person they always were at the core.

And you likely wouldn't be a better person too. Think of it this way.. If you couldn't pursue ladies but had to remain celibate or go out with dudes.. Would you be happier, better adjusted, or develop an uncontrolable twitch ?

---------- Post added April-13th-2012 at 03:20 PM ----------

This is something I never quite understand... and this is no offense to you. It seems like "orientation" means attracted to men, or women. (or possibly both). I don't understand how you can "experiment" with being hetero/homosexual. You either find (at least) men/women attractive, and find intercourse with them appealing, or you don't.

I personally think it's a sliding scale. You've got folks who ae solidly on one side or the other and folks who can switch back and forth. Least that's seems to be the case. Folks who form opinions on the subject generally take the slant of which demographic they fall into and which personal choice they've made with their attractions.

---------- Post added April-13th-2012 at 03:23 PM ----------

Indeed, and changes behavior
A wise old man once told me that when something(smoking,in that instance,but a universal theme with him) becomes a sin to you you will quit.


He was wise enough to leave it up to me if that will ever occur.

I don't know about that... I think self loathing makes self loathing; I don't think it changes behaviors in many cases. If it did homosexuality would have been "cured" long ago. I mean it's been repressed for millennia hasn't it?