“Science says” no one can change sexual orientation and even trying so-called “conversion therapy” will make people suicidal or crazy. But is that really true? What does the science really say?
Therapist and researcher Dr. Carolyn Pela knows. She is the author of “Sexual Attraction Fluidity and Well-being in Men: A Therapeutic Outcome Study,” “Narrative Therapy and Unwanted Same-sex Attractions: Claiming Lost Stories,” and “Sexual Attraction Fluidity Exploration in Therapy.” She has appeared in several films including Voices of the Silenced (2017) and Censored (2020).
When it comes to banning counseling for unwanted same-sex attraction, Pela asserts: “It’s not about the type of therapy. The battle is against people setting their goals, being self-determined and autonomous in coming to therapy, and being allowed to set their own treatment goals to pursue the things they want.”
“A lot of times there are correlates, factors that accompany same sex attraction,” Pela said, especially trauma, addiction, or family of origin issues. “They’re coming [to therapy] because they’re dissatisfied with not having opposite sex attraction to the level that they want, and maybe even dissatisfied with the same-sex attraction.”
Pela points out that despite so much pushback about supposed harms of counseling, “No one’s super interested in exploring gay affirmative therapy outcomes.” In other words, where’s the proof that their brand of therapy is helpful?
“Women who had gone to gay affirmative therapists who were Christians, experienced so much shame because they were told, ‘This is your who. And you have no way out.’ That’s the coercive thing, and it is a hopeless and shaming approach.”
Learn more from Dr. Pela by watching the full interview on Locals. You can watch the first half on YouTube, Bitchute, or Odysee.
Gender Identity ≠ Sexual Orientation: The Counseling Ban Sleight of Hand
COMMENTARY: Some jurisdictions are trying to ban counseling for gender-identity issues, right alongside bans on sexual-orientation “conversion therapy.”
By Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse, February 6, 2024, at National Catholic Register
You may be aware of the worldwide attempts to ban “conversion therapy” that “intends to change or suppress sexual orientation.” But did you know that some jurisdictions are now slipping in the phrase “or gender identity” into these laws?
For instance, Scotland is considering banning any therapy that “intends to change or suppress sexual orientation or gender identity.” The Australian province of Victoria in 2021 used this language, as well. The addition of these three seemingly innocuous words, “or gender identity” compounds the problems of these already-problematic therapy bans.
In the first place, the concepts of “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” are not precise analogues of each other, even using the terms as understood and promoted by their sexual-revolutionary proponents. According to the American Psychological Association, “sexual orientation” “refers to an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic and/or sexual attractions” and is widely claimed to be an “inborn” “immutable” trait.
The APA further states that “gender identity refers to a person’s internal sense of being male, female or something else” and that transgender people are “persons whose gender identity, gender expression or behavior does not conform to that typically associated with the sex to which they were assigned at birth.”
In its explanation of its new law prohibiting therapy that “intends to change or suppress sexual orientation or gender identity,” Australia’s Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, describes “gender identity” as: “what you feel and understand about who you are as a person.”
Wait a minute. Feelings are changeable, even volatile. Our self-understanding can certainly change. It is impossible in principle for a concept as subjective as gender identity to be “inborn” or “immutable,” as sexual orientation is said to be.
The concept of “gender identity” sees the sex of the body as not very substantial and potentially “fluid.” By contrast, the concept of “sexual orientation” presupposes the importance of the sex of the body: A “gay” man insists on a male sex partner, not a masculine woman. A “lesbian” woman insists on a female sex partner: An effeminate man will not suffice.
Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse to Appear on EWTN’s Women of Grace
Next week, February 19-22, Ruth Institute president Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse will appear on EWTN’s Women of Grace. She and host Johnette Benkovic Williams will discuss “Protecting What’s Ours: The Top Challenges Facing Society Today.”
Watch as they dive into the biggest issues facing family life today, specifically, the attack on marriage, women, and children, as well as problems associated with the LGBT agenda, including the indoctrination of children in schools and libraries.
Morse delves into the research she did for her book, The Sexual State, as well as her report, Refuting the Top Five Gay Myths, a special eBook, which can be downloaded for free at the Ruth Institute website.
“It was great to be back on Women of Grace,” Morse said. “I’m grateful to Johnette for providing this opportunity to help people connect the dots between the sexual revolution and the chaos our society is in today.”
“There were many steps in the process along the way, but in my discussion with Johnette, I break down what is happening to marriage, family, and children, and, most importantly, what we can do to get civilization back on track.”
“I also explain the most pervasive lies put forth by the media to promote the gay agenda. For instance, people are definitely not born gay, and people leave the gay lifestyle every day. In fact, there are now more formerly-LGBT-identifying people than there are currently LGBT people. That’s a very inconvenient truth for the other side.”
Check the Women of Grace schedule for the morning and encore evening showings in your time zone to learn about this and more from Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse.
February Ruth Institute Book Sale
In honor of St. Valentine’s Day, the Ruth Institute is offering 20% off through the end of February on these two books: 101 Tips for a Happier Marriage and 101 Tips for Marrying the Right Person.
You can also purchase autographed and “wedding” editions by finding them in the Ruth Store.
Use code SALE20 at checkout to save today.
The Ruth Institute is a global non-profit organization, leading an international interfaith coalition to defend the family and build a civilization of love. The Ruth Institute’s Founder and President, Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse, is the author of The Sexual State: How Elite Ideologies Are Destroying Lives and Love and Economics: It Takes a Family to Raise a Village. Subscribe to our newsletter and YouTube channel to get all our latest news.