The human context of this debate is a large number of current and former consumers of counseling services on both sides of the issue. Ex-gays, those individuals who have experienced same sex attraction but do not wish to orient their lives around those sexual feelings, are adamant that sexual reorientation counseling be available (Throckmorton, 2002a). Others, often referred to as “ex-ex-gays,” often report feeling harmed by interventions that have had as their aim, the development of an opposite sex sexual orientation (Human Right Campaign, 2002; Schroeder & Shidlo, 2002). Objectivity on the issue is often further clouded by the current cultural climate that has put homosexual issues in the midst of many political debates. Some gay activist groups have made the elimination of sexual reorientation counseling a central focus of their advocacy efforts (e.g., Human Rights Campaign, 2002)."

View full article