On 4 Nov 2003, David Myers wrote: > In response to Jim's question about methodology of the Robert Spitzer > survey . . . > I posed a synopsis and some > reflections at http://davidmyers.org/sexorient/Spitzer.html
There were some interesting topics on TIPS recently that I wanted to respond to but didn't have the time until now. This is one of them. It's not easy to know what to believe on such a highly-politicized issue, when it appears that almost everyone involved has an agenda along with the data they provide. David Myers' fine essay on the topic provides a thoughtful summary of what Spitzer actually found and what its significance is. I want to add that Spitzer's work and commentary on it has just now hit print in the Archives of Sexual Behavior. Using the usual tricks for getting e-mail addresses, starting with PubMed, I'm sure that reprints are obtainable. I list the titles below in case anyone wants to get them. Second, I have my own observation to make. Anecdotes aren't evidence in favour of a theory, but they can be used as counter-examples to sink one. I've been impressed by some high-profile cases where the gay individuals involved were highly motivated to change and to stay changed, and announced their success triumphantly and with considerable publicity. This makes their ultimate failure particularly noteworthy. One example is Michael Johnston, who founded "National Coming Out of Homosexuality Day" and was featured in a national advertising campaign in newspapers and on TV to convince people that homosexuals can change. According to the Washington Blade (at http://www.washblade.com/2003/8-1/news/breaking/exgay.cfm), his mother declared in these advertisements, "My son Michael found out the truth--he could walk away from homosexuality. But he found out too late--he has AIDS". Yet Johnston admitted that he subsequently had a six-month homosexual affair without revealing that he had AIDS. Another mentioned in the same article is John Paulk, described in another article (www.advocate.com/html/stories/825/825_paulk.asp) as the "poster boy of the religious right's "ex-gay movement", and "chairman of the North American board of Exodus International, the ex- gay ministries group". Yet, as reported in both articles, he was subsequently found in attendance at a gay bar in Washington. So if such individuals, prominently promoted as inspiring examples that gays can change, ultimately fail, how likely is it that those less in the public eye and less motivated to change could succeed? Stephen These are the promised titles, all in the October issue (vol. 32, no. 5, 2003) of the _Archives of Sexual Behavior_. Zucker, K. The politics and science of "reparative therapy" Spitzer, R. Can some gay men and lesbians change their sexual orientation? 200 participants reporting a change from homosexual to hjeterosexual orientation. Peer commentary on Spitzer (2003) [many contributors] Spitzer, R. Reply: Study results should not be dismissed and justify further research on the efficacy of sexual reorientation therapy. ___________________________________________________ Stephen L. Black, Ph.D. tel: (819) 822-9600 ext 2470 Department of Psychology fax: (819) 822-9661 Bishop's University e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Lennoxville, QC J1M 1Z7 Canada Dept web page at http://www.ubishops.ca/ccc/div/soc/psy TIPS discussion list for psychology teachers at http://acsun.frostburg.edu/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=tips _______________________________________________ --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
