| It’s no secret that the country’s liberal leadership and LGBTQ activists are dead-set against any type of therapy that might help someone work through unwanted same-sex attractions and gender identity confusion.
In fact, last month, the federal government took an official stand in the battle over therapy rights aimed at helping youths deal with unwanted same-sex attractions, with the release of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) report that condemned “conversion therapy” and called for its ban, according to the Washington Times.
Then soon after, the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) touted “sample legislation for state legislators and equality groups who want to protect LGBTQ youth from the dangerous and discredited practice of conversion therapy,” according to a press release from the two groups.
But those who advocate for therapy freedom and therapy equality say those moves aren’t about protecting youth, but rather, furthering a radical activist agenda.
Licensed professional counselor Christopher Doyle, also a leader in the #TherapyEquality campaign of Equality And Justice For All, has advocated for therapy freedom and therapy equality, especially as activists fight harder to ban therapies for minors that help them deal with unwanted same-sex attractions and gender identity confusion.
Doyle is a former homosexual who knows that change is possible, and that efforts to ban these types of therapies are a way to take away options for youth who may be sexually confused or experience unwanted attractions or gender identity conflicts due to sexual abuse or trauma. He contends these efforts by activists are a part of a larger political agenda rather than a campaign to protect LGBT youth.
“When it comes to sexual identity affirming therapy, our clients believe there are specific causes for their unwanted same-sex attractions and gender identity confusion. We are not ‘converting’ gay youth, as activists contend,” Doyle said. “We help them resolve those issues, affirm their sexual identity, and work with them to achieve their goals. Everyone has the right to resolve unwanted desires, attractions and unmet emotional needs. And if someone wishes to pursue therapy to resolve unwanted attractions, who are we to stop them and deny their right of self-determination?
“As a licensed therapist,” he continued, “I meet people where they are, to help resolve the issues that are causing the conflict. And I was once just like them. I used to experience unwanted same-sex attraction, but I resolved those issues, and today I’m married to my beautiful wife with five amazing kids.”
According to the SAMHSA report, quoted by the Washington Times, attempts to “convert” or change minors who identify as homosexual or transgender “perpetuates outdated views of gender roles and identities, as well as the negative stereotype that being a sexual and gender minority or identifying as LGBTQ is an abnormal aspect of human development.”
The report added that, because there is a professional consensus that trying to change people’s sexual expression, gender identity or sexual orientation doesn’t work, such therapies should be ended—even if it requires changes to state and federal laws, the Washington Times further reported.
Doyle strongly disagrees.
Just like him, those who advocate for sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) and therapy equality say that the stories of the many former homosexuals who have benefited from therapy are proof that change is not only possible, but can be healthy and life-saving. Additionally, Doyle contends that the conclusion in the SAMHSA report that SOCE therapies are ineffective for youth is scientifically incorrect because, to date, there have been no published outcome-based studies for youth who have undergone this therapy.
Doyle and his colleague, Dr. James Phelan, are working on the first study of youth who have undergone SOCE. On Oct. 23-24, they presented information about the new research at the 2015 Alliance for Therapeutic Choice and Scientific Integrity Conference and NARTH Training Institute. The research aims to discover the perceptions of adolescents undergoing, or those who have undergone, SOCE, as well as understand some of the possible influences (e.g. wellbeing; harm) it may or may not have.
“Make no mistake,” Doyle said, “reports, initiatives and calls for bans like these are not aiming to help anyone, but rather, seeking to further political and activist agendas. At the heart of this issue is not the well-being of minors, but instead, the denial that resolving unwanted same-sex attractions and gender identity conflicts is possible.”
Doyle, who was once embroiled in a destructive and damaging homosexual lifestyle, says he is living his dream as a husband and father of five. And that change would not have been possible without the help of the therapy available to him and other supportive people and resources. The counselor also told the Washington Times that while the SAMHSA report says that therapy should be client-centered, federal and state bans would prevent it for people who want to reduce or eliminate same-sex attractions. Instead, they could receive only counseling that encourages them to accept their homosexuality as normal and healthy.
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