From: scott@bbx.basis.com (Scott Amspoker)
Newsgroups: soc.motss
Subject: Re: Why not cure homosexuality?
Date: 30 Dec 92 06:15:13 GMT
Organization: BASIS International, Ltd., Albuquerque NM USA

In article <92364.223718MEH124@psuvm.psu.edu> MEH124@psuvm.psu.edu writes:
>Regarding a previous post that got a good deal of response about the thought
>of curing homosexuality, most people on the net seem strongly opposed to whole
>idea of a cure.

Homosexuals are opposed to myths of a cure perpetuated by those who wish to 
take advantage of those who are emotionally vulnerable.

>But what about those people that really struggle with their
>sexuality and really don't want to be "homosexual."  Most often they deny their
>sexual feelings for religion reasons.  I know-I know the Bible may not be very
>clear on the whole issue of homosexuality, as well as the stuff with David...
>However, is wrong for some people to side with their gut instinct that
>homosexuality is wrong (i.e., err on the safe, conservative side).

These people were taught to hate themselves and were psychologically 
abused as children.  Why re-enforce that whan it is so much healthier
to open their eyes?

>What if by some outside chance these conservative Christians are correct in
>their beliefs?

And what if they're wrong?  Acedemic at best.  No one has ever proven any 
religion to be correct.

>Why be so hard on those that want a cure for what they feel
>is wrong?

Telling the truth about being "cured" is not being hard.  It's being honest.

Victims of child sexual abuse spend years of their lives thinking there
was something wrong with them.  Likewise, victims of homophobic abuse 
similarly feel as if they are the ones who are sick when in fact the 
real illness lies in the homophobe.  We're not talking about adults
expressing an opinion to other adults about sexuality.  Homophobes
are predatory and go after impressionable homosexual children who
are powerless to defend themselves.  Some homosexuals raised this way
eventually commit suicide.  Others go through years of self hatred and
depression.  Give homophobia the benefit of a doubt?  You have no idea 
what you're saying.

>I have seen a number of books that are supposed to help people
>overcome, or at least live with, their homosexual feelings.  Many of the books
>even claim a 65% success rate (e.g., "Pursuing Sexual Wholeness," by Andrew
>Comiskey--a recovered homosexual himself).
>
>Also, just for your info, there are even 12 step groups (like AA) that are call
>ed Homosexuals Anonymous that are set up world-wide to help people overcome
>their unwanted homosexual feelings.

I'm almost afraid to comment about these things to you.  You sound 
almost too hopeful that these "cures" are for real.  There was a time 
in my life when I desparately needed to believe I could be "cured" 
and was not ready to learn otherwise.  One does not have to look far 
to come across someone claiming to be "cured".  These things are routinely 
exposed as scams - sometimes but the very prople who instigated them.  
Sorry, but I'm not aware of any documented and confirmed case of anybody ever 
changing their sexual orientation (and believe me I've looked).  Some 
people have been known to forceably change their sexual behaviour and 
habits.  Some people who are in the Kinsey 2-4 range may find a 
different gendered SO at different times in their lives.

-- 
Scott Amspoker                       |    
Basis International, Albuquerque, NM |  Too bad ignorance isn't really
                                     |  bliss.  Then it could be outlawed.
scott@bbx.basis.com                  |