Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1998 18:04:03 -0500 From: PFLAG Communications Subject: PFLAG Press Release: APA Condemns 'Reparative' Therapy *** PFLAG PRESS RELEASE *** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Janice Hughes December 14, 1998 202/638-4200 Ext. 225 Family Group Lauds American Psychiatric Association's Condemnation of 'Reparative' Therapy Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) praises the American Psychiatric Association (APA) for its recent adoption of a resolution opposing the practice of "reparative" or "conversion" therapy designed to change a gay, lesbian or bisexual persons' sexual orientation. "We applaud the APA for joining other major professional organizations in taking a stand against this harmful practice, " said Kirsten Kingdon, PFLAG Executive Director. "Many PFLAG members have seen first-hand the damage that can come from trying to change a person's sexual orientation." The APA, which removed homosexuality as a mental disorder in 1973, stresses that there is no scientific evidence that so-called "reparative" therapy is effective in converting gays and lesbians to heterosexuals. In a statement approved unanimously on December 11, the APA opposes any psychiatric treatment "which is based upon the assumption that homosexuality per se is a mental disorder or based upon a prior assumption that the patient should change his/her sexual orientation." "It's plain and simple -- our gay, lesbian and bisexual loved ones do not need to be 'cured.'"Kingdon said. "We can understand that parents might want their children to conform to society's expectations. At times, many PFLAG parents have felt the same way. We've learned, however, that this desire to change our children is in response to the negative stereotypes of lesbian, gay and bisexual people in our communities," Kingdon continued. "Rather than try to change our children, we have chosen to change our attitudes." The APA, the American Psychological Association, the National Association of Social Workers and the American Academy of Pediatrics have all made statements against the conversion of gays and lesbians because of concerns for the real harm that it can cause. ### Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons, their families and friends through: support, education, and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. PFLAG provides an opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity. Serving more than 75,000 members, PFLAG affiliates are located in more than 425 communities across the United States and abroad. 1101 14th Street, NW Suite 1030 Washington, D.C. 20005 * (202) 638-4200 * Fax: (202) 638-0243 E-mail: info@pflag.org * Web: http://www.pflag.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To unsubscribe from PFLAG's Email Action Alerts, send a message to info@pflag.org, subject line "unsubscribe." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~