APA study on ex-gay policy causes concern

http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?id=26090

[Baptist Press] 20 July 2007--Conservative and evangelical leaders are expressing concern that an American Psychological Association task force might condemn efforts on the part of some homosexuals to change their sexual preference.

An APA task force assigned to revise and update the organization's policy on counseling homosexuals met for the first time July 17 and could issue its full report early next year. Conservatives are particularly concerned because they say the six-member task force is stacked with those who don't believe it's possible for people to leave homosexuality.

Current APA policy -- adopted in 1997 -- condemns therapy that considers homosexuality a mental illness, although it doesn't specifically prohibit conversion therapy. Conservatives and evangelicals simply want the APA to leave room in the official policy for homosexuals who, on their own, want to change and are seeking professional help.

"We consider it a foundational principle that respect be afforded to clients who determine that their religious teachings forbid homosexual conduct and construct their lives accordingly," a June 29 letter from more than 100 conservative and evangelical leaders to the APA board of directors reads.