APA: No Consensus On Cause of Homosexuality

Quoted in Citizenlink

American Psychological Association: No Consensus on Cause of Homosexuality

Family News in Focus

Group gives credence to the view that both nature and nurture are involved.

The American Psychological Association (APA) may be shifting from its view that homosexuality is inborn. The group now says both nature and nurture are involved, and clients have a right to self-determination.

In a new brochure, the APA concedes that there is no scientific consensus on what causes same-sex attraction.

“They are starting to have the integrity of reporting accurately about the condition of homosexuality,” said Randy Thomas, executive vice president of Exodus International. “We find this to be a very exciting move and hope that it indicates future movement toward recognizing that people can and do overcome homosexuality.”

Glenn Stanton, director of global family formation studies at Focus on the Family, said the brochure has an activist bent, but he sees a ray of hope.

“This doesn’t mean that we’ve completely succeeded in all the things that we’ve wanted to,” he said, “but it’s a move in the direction that we’ve wanted them to move in, and I think that’s very positive news.”

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Phil Gray Yesterday 11:08 AM 1 point
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Randy Thomas,

It must be sad to live in a delusional world as you do? Doesn't it bother you to look lustfully at men while you hide under the mask of an "ex-gay"?

Pity your life is so sad.

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Mike Yesterday 11:29 AM 1 point
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Phil,

ever consider that other people's inner lives aren't what you imagine they must be?

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http://mikeensley.vox.com

Randy Yesterday 01:06 PM 1 point
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It must be sad to live in a delusional world as you do?

Well, today I am sad because I have been seriously sick for almost two weeks and I am just ready for it to be gone. As for the alleged "delusion," I have tested and questioned and been open about my life my whole life. I don't think I am delusional even though I am kind of crazy.

Doesn't it bother you to look lustfully at men ...

Well, in the past to look lustfully at men was a default and I never considered it a problem. Looking at men like that is no longer a default for me and a much rarer experience. In any case today, it doesn't bother me. It doesn't bother me because I know where it comes from, I know why it happens and I know what to do with that kind of temptation. If that happens I know how to deal with it in a way that honors God, other men and my own body. I am glad that "lust" is not my default anymore and any fleeting temptations toward it don't define who I am or what I do.

... while you hide under the mask of an "ex-gay"?

I have never really liked the pigeon-hole of "ex-gay." It works as a cultural meme or adjective but I, and so many others, are well beyond or completely outside of what "ex-gay" implies.

As for masks, back in the day, I never hid my being a "gay" man. Now that I am not, I still don't have anything or any reason to hide.

Pity your life is so sad.

My life is quite content at the moment ... except for this stupid sickness. I have a good life and am content to live it regardless of circumstance ... and I don't need your pity but thanks for the offer.

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Brady Yesterday 01:23 PM 1 point
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Randy- first let me tell you that I liked your response to Phil. Honest, calm, with a touch of comic relief. What a good way to handle someone like that.

Second, I thought this was the APA's stance all along. I found [url="http://apahelpcenter.org/articles/article.php?id=31"]this[/url] Q&A with a 2004 copyright on it, and it says essentially the same thing.

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Scott Yesterday 02:16 PM 1 point
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Phil seemed a bit harsh. However, I know you didn't write that article but do you know why they left out the rest of the information the APA gave?

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Randy Yesterday 02:35 PM 1 point
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No, I am not on their editorial staff either but from what I can see is that these articles are always really short. They do link to the full brochure from their post.

I read these particular articles like blogposts, quick snippets.

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Brady Yesterday 05:25 PM 1 point
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Hey Randy. I posted earlier, but my post didn't show up. Maybe it's being held for moderation? Anyway, I was under the impression that this has been the APA's position for quite a while. I came across a FAQ from them from 2004 where they say essentially the same thing.

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Randy Yesterday 06:57 PM 1 point
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Hey Brady, I don't see it in the moderation queue so it must not have made it from your browser to my host site. If someone asks if I deleted I comment I would tell them but I never saw any other comment from you on this.

I am not sure but I think they were more amenable to self-determination in the past but over the past couple of years there have been very very serious threats to "outlaw" (if you will) in the APA any research or validation of therapy (reparative or otherwise) that helps people to overcome homosexuality.

Some critics have conveniently forgotten that the APA activists have been very hostile to people of faith in recent times. This brochure is a glimmer of hope that they are going back to a place of true respect for self-determination and objective research.

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Laura Leigh 03/21/2008 08:27 AM 1 point
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It seems significant that the APA does publish these findings. It is significant in the interest of being really informed. If studies are being done and are being reviewed then we all need to know about it. It is significant in light of the cultural discourse. In the interest of being truly informed, we need to know.

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Brady 03/21/2008 09:53 AM 1 point
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Hey Randy, didn't think you deleted it. These things happen. Thanks for the response. Makes sense.

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Randy 03/21/2008 12:26 PM 1 point
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Hey Brady, I use Akismet spam filtering for my blog and for some reason, your first comment went straight to spam. It didn't trigger any of the normal moderation queue and got buried in the spam. I check the spam filter about twice a week and saw yours there. I recovered it. Sorry I didn't check there earlier.

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Randy 03/22/2008 12:04 AM 1 point
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Amen Laura Leigh!

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