Do People Have The Right To Access "Gay Conversion Therapy"?

Medical Science is discovering now that most of this crap is just based on POLITICS . . . Psychotics? . . . Polichology? . . . Hmmmmmm? . . . . Throw some more money at it, Feds . . .

I'm answering "no" because the question doesn't address any of the actual up-front or underlying issues.

(1) The California law DOES NOT ban the practice of or access to "conversion therapy." What it BANS is participation in conversion therapy by MINORS...who have no legal say in being forced to participate in it.

Adults are still able to receive the "therapy" if they wish.

(2) Your argument regarding "sex changes" is irrelevant. Gay men and women are not transgendered or transexual individuals: they are men and women attracted to the same sex or gender. No one, as far as I know, advocate or "support sex change as a solution to the frustrations of gay people."

I personally don't believe in the theory that you "cant change who you're attracted to" if someone honestly wants to change their sexual orientation, then I think it should be available to them.

If the person is an adult and if he/she wishes to voluntarily access (or exit) such therapy, then the person should have the right to give it a try. But, you can go to a fortuneteller or astrologer if you wish too - it will do you about as much good.

Tired of Homo crap

Did someone require you to access the poll?

Hi Lolaita - Yes, it sure was surprising that the article made the false statement that this type of treatment is commonly practiced. I'd guess most reputable professionals would not even offer such treatment (in reference to 'conversion' not reassignment).

:D Yeah. I wish that people speaking on the subject knew what they were talking about. /sigh
it's great that you recognized that, I wish more people here had.

You cannot change your attraction, but if a psychological and physical mature person wants to willingly make use of any "therapy" that might make it easier for them to suppress the attraction, then they should be allowed to do so. I don't think it should be encouraged, but I don't think it should be banned either.

It is called "Reparative Therapy" by those who practice it.

It is not commonly practiced. In fact, the vast majority of psychologists do not use this "therapy".

It should be available for any adult who wishes to try it.

The law you are referring to forbids its use on minors.

"...on minors." Little details like that change everything, don't they? :O\

Some halfwit posted an intentionally misleading story here the other day, talking about sex education classes being held in some city in California. Apparently, they hire porn stars to demonstrate techniques, and they give serious instruction to adults who seek it.

For some reason, almost everyone that responded to that poll had it in their heads that these were going on in the schools, and children were being instructed this way.

It is clear that these are adult classes, held in an armory building... but nobody bothers to read past the 'teaser' sodaheadline: "Coming" (sic) to a school near you... live sex classes"

SUCH outrage at the (fictitious) idea, and then outrage directed at me for asking where they got the idea that this was meant for children to attend. One guy suggested that I was a pedophile because I questioned the reality behind his insane little tirade.

Details, details. :O) I just thought I'd share that with you... human nature at its best.

lol... Ah yes; Details. Those nasty little tidbits of truth that ruin a perfectly good tirade. :^D

of course it should be available! ... only bigots would suggest anything other than that

As long as it is voluntary I see no problem.

Shouldn't that be THEIR option if they so choose?

I agree it's an option their option not forced on anyone.

People have the right to waste money on anything - but "Gay Conversion Therapy" can't be sanctioned, licensed, or offered as legitimate medical care in a hospital or treatment center, because it's bogus science.

"Therapists" should be allowed to set up shops like Palm Readers and "Spiritual Gurus"; and churches can certainly include "Pray Away The Gay" along with their other superstitious nonsense.

youre simply picking and choosing what you want to be viewed as science. a sex change isnt beneficial at all, but Im sure you dont have a problem with people having their genitals mutilated

I do think sex change surgery is weird and extreme - but I feel pretty much the same way about most cosmetic surgery that isn't specifically corrective. But it's not me . . . I wouldn't want to make that call. I'm sure, at least, that for some people it's the only way they can go on living, and it's not my business.

I'd like to set up a "God Delusion Conversion Therapy" business . . . wanna invest?

of course I wouldnt, but its your right to do it if you want to.

How nice.

Hi William - A "sex change" isn't related to conversion therapy. Although I'm not trained in the psychology of a transgender person, I have known such persons and it's very clear that they do not consider themselves to be gay.
I've known two preoperative MtF persons and neither considered their sexual identity to be that of a male. I've also seen an interview with a postoperative MtF who was a practicing lesbian.
And, I've never met a gay man who wanted to become a woman (including those who are transvestites). These examples seem to discredit any notion that there's a relationship between sexual reassignment surgery and so-called gay conversion therapy.

No thanks. I don't want to join your club.

I think if a person wants this kind of therapy, and feels it would make their life better then they should be able to try it.

Should straight folks have the right to gay conversion therapy?...sure. Visit your local gay bar and drink up.

But really....had you ever thought of trying to change your own orientation? See if you can focus on penises and hairy butt cracks...licking furry balls and passionate man on man french kissing. If you can focus and begin to love those images...welcome to the life.

If you can't..then why ask others to do something you can't do.

Does changing your eye color through prayer work?

because, lets cut to the chase, heterosexuality is natural and homosexuality is unnatural. their perception was obviously affected at some point in their childhood.

just because it occurs in nature doesnt make it natural. we arent asexual, and therefore must procreate with the opposite sex. we are programmed neurologically to do this. a gay person obviously attaches those emotions to the wrong depictions. its not anything they can change consciously. it isnt up to them. but with therapy, its very likely that the problem can be corrected.

Many former gay people have claimed it a success for them, but you would deny their credibility......thats entirely up to you. I for one dont see why they would want to lie about it.

As the world is approaching 8 billion people...I don't think procreation is a huge problem.

I just don't trust people who know nothing about being gay claiming they are suddenly experts on it. Being gay is not a problem to be solved...the sooner you realize that fact the better off the gays will be. As I said...homegrown pseudo science doesn't make you any sort of expert on it...It really is just your opinion under the guise of knowing nothing about the subject. Call me when you can cure the straight out of someone....because it's just as ridiculous.

Actually, "natural" is anything that happens in nature. Non-heterosexuality is certainly abnormal but so are many other things (dwarfism, gigantism, autism, dyslexia, etc.), all of which are natural.

It is certainly possible that some non-heterosexuals had certain experiences that affected their attractions but that is not so for the majority of non-heterosexuals (many of which are raised in areas that condemn non-heterosexuality). However, a person's attractions are not conscious decisions and so long as those attractions do not contribute to the detriment of humanity, they should not be condemned or coerced to suppress them.

That being said, I do think that people should be allowed to pursue any "therapy" that may make it easier for them suppress their attractions and live their lives as the wish (so long as they do it voluntarily, without force).

The fact that something does occur in nature does make it natural - that's the very definition of being natural. That which is natural may not be normal but the latter is merely a quantitative (and situation-determined) value.

Only heterosexuals are 'programmed' to an attraction to the opposite sex; gay people are not programmed for this attraction and making statements that deny the obvious doesn't change what is or is not factual.

As far as your assertion that many former gay people have claimed conversion therapy to be successful, I've yet to have heard one reliable testimony.

But, if that's what they want and they're adults who are freely deciding to so this, then that's fine.

"...just because it occurs in nature doesnt make it natural..."

Oh boy... Folks, we got a live one here.

A theory that I've heard is the attractiveness to the same gender is also a defense against overpopulation that's not well understood. Some species practice it more when hunting gets a bit thin but when it gets better... back to the usual grind.

considering how our own population has grown world wide, I've noticed a bit of a trend where those nations that treat it the most harshly also have the larger population growth, sometimes to uncontrollable levels. China, for example.

If someone wishes to do it, they should have access to it. It should not be forced on them in any way, but the same people who argue that they should have they right to do so many other things that I may or may not agree with want to deny the same to those who want this.

Sure, why not

Provided it isn't forced on them by family.

No. People do not have the "right" to hire a hit man either.