2. Fighting Back Against Therapy Ban
• An article posted by: Alicia Gallegos from
Amednews.com
• Posted: January 21, 2013
• Target: Homosexuals
3. Article Topics
1. Dr. Drescher, an author and medical expert
on conversion therapy reveals his reaction
and opinions on homosexual men and
women who go through the “so-called gay
conversion therapy”.
2. Laws were passed setting parameters for
physicians
3. Does conversion therapy really work or is it a
fraud?
4. Article Topics Cont..
4. Experts views on the therapy
5. Religious view on homosexuality and
conversion therapy.
5. What is Conversion therapy?
• Wikipedia states that conversion therapy is;
“…(also known as reparative therapy by its
proponents) is a range of pseudo-scientific
treatments that aim to change sexual
orientation from homosexual to heterosexual.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conversion_therapy
6. Dr. Drescher
• Although the idea sounded great to the
Doctor, he was looking at the bigger issues;
the patient’s well being after therapy.
• He stated people were left feeling “ashamed,
depressed, and sometimes suicidal”.
• He was angry and sad to see how some if not
most of the professionals talking to these
“gay” individuals.
7. • The American Medical Association (AMA) has
set policies against ‘reparative therapy’ due to
the serious risks that come after therapy.
- Depression
-Anxiety
- Self-Destructive Behavior
9. • Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill in
September of 2012 that prohibited mental
health professionals from treating patients
with “sexual orientation issues” under the age
of 18.
• This law was suppose to take place January of
this year however, due to two lawsuits the law
has been put on hold.
10. • In the next slide you will hear a testimony
from a lawyer who attempted to try to “not be
gay”. He soon felt that he was who he was and
could not “be changed”.
13. • Southern Poverty Law center is claiming that
JONAH is giving people fraudulent information
and patients are required to do “ridiculous
techniques”.
• These so-called techniques include:
Disrobing and holding their genitals
Strike images of their mothers with a tennis racket
Cuddle with others of the same sex
* Dr. Drescher also found that some patients were subject to
mock locker room scenarios in which the therapist would
scream anti-gay remarks.
14. • A law firm representing JONAH responds with
the following;
– “People have different morals and values and different
religious beliefs,”… “JONAH is not telling anyone they have to
change, but if people say, ‘I want to change,’ they have a
right”.
15. So, What do other health care
professionals say about this so called
treatment?
• Majority of therapist who practice conversion
are not licensed so this law will most likely not
stop therapist from using it.
• “Today the consensus across a wide range of
health and mental health providers is that
such therapies are not effective and are not
needed for people.” (Clinton W. Anderson)
16. What does the Bible say about
Homosexuality?
• 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 - "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the
kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters
nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the
greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of
God." (NIV).
• “If you are caught up in the homosexual lifestyle, we suggest to you that the loss of
confidence in your gender was probably from someone who convinced you of
such. But God does not see you that way! He sees you as the man (or woman) that
he made you. If you have a problem, it is one of authority”
(http://www.faithfacts.org/christ-and-the-culture/gay-rights#out)
17.
18. Personal Thoughts About These Ethical Issues
• I feel that if we, (meaning society) have allowed
and incorporated homosexuality in our lives then
why not let a person at his own will try and
change it.
• I do not feel that a doctor should be fully
responsible for additional issues that arise after
treatment.
• As far as the law that prohibits therapist from
treating patients under the age of 18, I am not to
convinced on.
– Maybe the younger treatment is received, the better the chances
of success.
19. Thoughts continued…
• AS far as some of the techniques used, I do
not agree with all of them.
– I mean yelling out hateful comments, no wonder
some of the patients ended up with other issues.
– Definitely think more research should be done to
improve better techniques.
20. Presentation created by:
Tawny Araiza
Azusa Pacific online University
Medical Ethics
Professor Edgar
February 2, 2013
