gay therapy

[glennmid101]

I have to say, one of the saddest piece of news, I saw this week, was an article about therapists, who claim that being " Gay " is a treatable condition.

To me, this is another attack on the Gay community, how are, by and large, law abiding individuals.

I thought, as a society, that we had moved on from the idea, that being gay or lesbian was some sort of mental condition.

Personally, these so called " Therapists" should be kicked out of the profession, and barred from practising.

 

[JustOneUK]

I agree.
Having ones head stuck up ones own arse should also be recognised as a mental illness and therefore all therapists who think this should subsequently be locked away

 

[sm1]

When will people who are straight be treated? This is complete bullsh1t ... peoples tastes can be treated?! ..... hmmmm, I don't like broccoli, can that be sorted :|. Truly awful.

 

[directmarketingadvice]

hmmmm, I don't like broccoli, can that be sorted

Yes.

You could be changed so you like broccoli.

Steve

 

[sm1]

Yes.

You could be changed so you like broccoli.

Steve

That's true, it can be. My point (which I failed to add) is that there is no need. Peoples tastes are as they are, and this is certainly something that doesn't need 'treating'.

 

[directmarketingadvice]

Peoples tastes are as they are, and this is certainly something that doesn't need 'treating'.

I'd strongly disagree with those two assumptions.

Steve

 

[sm1]

Even when referring to peoples tastes about sexual preference?

 

[KM-Tiger]

I thought, as a society, that we had moved on from the idea, that being gay or lesbian was some sort of mental condition.

No, merely to a position where aberrant behaviour is tolerated rather than punished. Toleration of minorities is after all a mark of civilisation.

If we accept that reproduction is a pre-requisite of survival, then surely gay behaviour is bad news for the species?

 

[directmarketingadvice]

Even when referring to peoples tastes about sexual preference?

Yes.

Steve

 

[directmarketingadvice]

I have to say, one of the saddest piece of news, I saw this week, was an article about therapists, who claim that being " Gay " is a treatable condition.

To me, this is another attack on the Gay community, how are, by and large, law abiding individuals.

I thought, as a society, that we had moved on from the idea, that being gay or lesbian was some sort of mental condition.

Personally, these so called " Therapists" should be kicked out of the profession, and barred from practising.

Maybe we should put this in a context that actually reflects what was reported:

Most of these therapists said they were responding to anguished pleas from the clients themselves.

"The individuals I have worked with have all been very unhappy about their sexuality and wish they were heterosexual," said one anonymously quoted therapist from the British Psychological Society.

"This has been because of responses from friends, family and the local community -- which, outside London, is still very homophobic," thetherapist added.

"We have a responsibility to assist our patients with self-determination," another health professional, a psychiatrist, is quoted as saying.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iH5eXxQ6XwxP40_nPgBsZktU_yzA

No suggestion that "being gay or lesbian was some sort of mental condition".

Steve

 

[sm1]

Having looked at it from the perspective from post #10 that these people want to change, I now see why

 

[glennmid101]

It is odd that steve has used the words " out of context " since his focused on five words, in a speech made by Gordon Brown.

If only steve could only practice what he preached, it would be a very refreshing change, but i won't be holding my breath.

 

[directmarketingadvice]

It is odd that steve has used the words " out of context " since his focused on five words, in a speech made by Gordon Brown.

If only steve could only practice what he preached, it would be a very refreshing change, but i won't be holding my breath.

Blah, blah, blah...

Glen, you're such a bore.

I've put this story in context and shown that your post attacking these therapists was a load of ill-informed nonsense.

But, it's no surprise to see you change the subject as usual.

This is your modus operandi, isn't it?

When someone picks apart your argument and you've not got a leg to stand on, you ruin the thread by trying to turn it into a childish personal squabble.

Yawn.

Not interested. Enjoy playing in the sandbox, I won't be joining you.

Steve

 

[glennmid101]

Hark at her!!!!!


From the person who gave us " Pussy Whiners " your not exactly william wordsworth are you Gibbo.

If I was you, I would get in back into your little box.

Ps How the TV idea, I see from your post, you where overwhelmed with suggestions.

 

[J_a_t_33]

Lol how much of an ignorant arsewipe do you have to be to claim something like that?

Glenn and Steve arguing like a married couple, maybe you should go see this therapist haha


Only jokin chaps

 

[directmarketingadvice]

Hark at her!!!!!


From the person who gave us " Pussy Whiners " your not exactly william wordsworth are you Gibbo.

If I was you, I would get in back into your little box.

Glen, how old are you? Aren't you meant to be in your late 30s?

Yet, you've been following me around this forum, trying to "get" me ever since I criticised your hero, Gordon Brown.

(even dragging it onto this thread about sexuality and therapy)

Is that really a way for a grown adult to behave?

Grow up and get over it.

Ps How the TV idea, I see from your post, you where overwhelmed with suggestions.

What, are you memorizing every post I make and adding it to you arsenal for your next attack? Is that how you spend your days?

Really? Nothing better to do?

I didn't get the advice I was looking for, but so what? I didn't expect there to be many people here that had experience in that area. But, I asked just in case.

And now you're trying to attack me for asking a question on the forum?

FFS. Maybe you should get some help.

Steve

 

[glennmid101]

Your out of luck Steve, there isn't a cure for stupidity, you will have to soldier on, old chap.

If me and steve where wed, he wouldn't be able to consummate the marriage, he's all talk, I would have to take up connect 4 to occupy my time.

 

[Gillie]

Your out of luck Steve, there isn't a cure for stupidity, you will have to soldier on, old chap.

If me and steve where wed, he wouldn't be able to consummate the marriage, he's all talk, I would have to take up connect 4 to occupy my time.

Surely to qualify to play connect 4 ones needs a brain?? Oh well, good luck at looking at the pretty colours Glen!

 

[KM-Tiger]

Nothing to argue about here really.

It's blindingly obvious that the blame is entirely with Margaret Thatcher.

 

[directmarketingadvice]

Your out of luck Steve, there isn't a cure for stupidity, you will have to soldier on, old chap.

So, I'm going to have to continue to endure you because you're never going to get better?

I can't say I'm surprised.

Steve

 

[glennmid101]

I am afraid Gillie, your coming over as being sarcastic. Didn't Oscar Wilde describe sarcasm as being the lowest form or wit.

But to be fair, Wilde also described Steve as being the lowest form of intelligence.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Can someone bring this back on thread? Not in the mood for this witty banter this evening.

 

[glennmid101]

I totally understand, because it is a serious subject, like the other week, when people where joking about bernie madoff and gordon brown. I had to explain, i didnt see the funny side, because people who had survived the holocaust had lost everything with madoff.

 

[Dawg]

Did someone say Margaret Thatcher was a gay therapist? And that Glen(straight, me)101 was closeted in the Tory party? And that 'uman rights everywhere were taken out of The British Association of Trolls handbook?
Because it's all true.
But the story about 'curing' homophones sounds iffy to me.

 

[Gillie]

I am afraid Gillie, your coming over as being sarcastic. Didn't Oscar Wilde describe sarcasm as being the lowest form or wit.

But to be fair, Wilde also described Steve as being the lowest form of intelligence.

I was merely stating that you wouldn't enjoy that particular game as brains were needed so it was therefore something you wouldn't enjoy .. therefore how this can be construed as sarcasm beats me ... it was a plain old insult, but you see, you have merely confirmed my insult by misunderstanding what I said ... ah well, shall I use smaller words next time??

 

[Rhyl Lightworks]

To get back to some of the earlier posts, when will people realise that being gay is not a matter of 'taste'. You can no more change it than the colour of your hair. True you can effect a temporary change by using hair dye, but you hair still grows back the original colour.

Barrie

 

[sm1]

I mean taste in the sense that it's what someone chooses what they want, and they happily be what they choose.

 

[Rhyl Lightworks]

It is not a choice.

Barrie

 

[sm1]

Are you saying it's biological?

Cheers

 

[Rhyl Lightworks]

We're back to the old 'nature v nuture' debate. I tend to agree with most experts these days that sexual orientation, as with many other facets of what makes a human being, is a complex interaction of the two. But the 'nuture part' is determined from a very early age when there is little an individual can do about it.
So what I am saying is an individual has no choice in the matter.

Barrie

 

[glennmid101]

Well Dawg, I can always rely on you to join in, still think it is funny that you made fun of holocaust victims?

 

[directmarketingadvice]

I mean taste in the sense that it's what someone chooses what they want, and they happily be what they choose.

You're assuming everyone knows what they are and that those that "know" do actually know.

I've known a number of people who agonised over this, including people in their 30s and 40s.

("straight" people who thought they might be gay and vice versa)

So, although it's black-and-white for most of us, it's not that way for everyone.

Also, there are lots of people that aren't happy with their sexuality. What are they meant to do?

My point on this thread - before Glen hijacked it to make it personal - is that these therapists aren't kidnapping people outside gay clubs and taking them away for "re-programming", they're dealing with clients who have come in because of problems with their sexuality.

And, if the most elegant solution for some clients is turning them from gay to straight, then I think that could be a valid approach.

Assuming, of course, that it works.

Steve

 

[maria102]

And, if the most elegant solution for some clients is turning them from gay to straight, then I think that could be a valid approach.

Do you really think that could happen/work though Steve? Its sounds ridiculous. My best friend is gay and didn't "come out" until he was 29, it wasn't a choice for him at all. He was shaking from head to foot the first time he went in a gay bar but was sick of living a lie.

Can you imagine yourself being "turned gay"? (assuming that you are straight that is?). You either are gay/straight/bi or not?

Just one last point, how you think it would work? what sort of technique would be used?

 

[directmarketingadvice]

Can you imagine yourself being "turned gay"? (assuming that you are straight that is?). You either are gay/straight/bi or not?

That seems to suggest you think there are three discrete settings and that we're all set to one of the three.

I'm suggesting that's not the case. I'm suggesting it's a continuum (from straight to gay) and that people can move along that continuum, they're not in a fixed spot.

It might not seem that way to most of us as most people are at one end of the continuum and don't move from that spot.

But, from what I've seen in other people, there are a lot of people who

(a) don't know where they are on the line and that means they are confused about their identity.

(b) Thought they knew where they stood, but now find themselves in a different position. And, not only is that an identity issue, it can also mean their life conflicts with their sexual feelings.

(like a guy who's married with kids but now feels himself far more attracted to men than women, when previously it was the other way around)

Steve

 

[maria102]

That seems to suggest you think there are three discrete settings and that we're all set to one of the three.


Steve

Okay, but how do you think you could turn someone straight or gay or whatever? And if it is a continuum, how effective would any 'treatment' be? I don't understand why you think a therapist could influence someone's sexual orientation and persuade them one way or the other. I can understand that they make help them fathom out their feelings, but they seriously could not "turn" someone either way. Like I said, what technique would they use? aversion therapy?

 

[directmarketingadvice]

Okay, but how do you think you could turn someone straight or gay or whatever?

I'm not talking about a guy who is 25 years old and whose every sexual thought has been about other men.

I'm talking about someone who is around the middle of the continuum and has thoughts about both men and women.

And if it is a continuum, how effective would any 'treatment' be? I don't understand why you think a therapist could influence someone's sexual orientation and persuade them one way or the other.

I'm not talking about "persuading" people. I doubt that would work.

I can understand that they make help them fathom out their feelings, but they seriously could not "turn" someone either way.

I'm not talking about getting someone to do a 180.

Like I said, what technique would they use? aversion therapy?

I don't know, I'm not a therapist. But, I know a bit about hypnotherapy due to marketing work I've done in that industry. So, I'd suggest that that could be used to resolve these issues.

Steve

 

[Rhyl Lightworks]

I'm suggesting that's not the case. I'm suggesting it's a continuum (from straight to gay) and that people can move along that continuum, they're not in a fixed spot.

Steve

I agree with the fact that we are all on a 'continuum', but I don't agree with the fact that we can move along it - at least not permanently. Is there any evidence for this? I am not aware of any.

The choice, if there is any, is not what we are, but whether we accept this. This can be very difficult, especially for younger people. It is not helped by the fact that a lot of society still finds it difficult to accept people who are different from the majority. (And I contend this is not helped by the false promise of some therapists who claim to be able to change a person's sexual orientation.)

Barrie

 

[maria102]

I'm talking about someone who is around the middle of the continuum and has thoughts about both men and women.

So Bi then and the therapist is going to turn them straight (because you don't seem to be suggesting that turning them gay may be an option?)

I'm not talking about "persuading" people. I doubt that would work.

Isn't that a contradiction of this:

I don't know, I'm not a therapist. But, I know a bit about hypnotherapy due to marketing work I've done in that industry. So, I'd suggest that that could be used to resolve these issues.

Steve

Just differing opinions I guess, I just doubt very much that it could work.

 

[glennmid101]

Well done Maria, but your wasting your time with Steve, his unpleasant views are a source of comfort.

 

[directmarketingadvice]

I agree with the fact that we are all on a 'continuum', but I don't agree with the fact that we can move along it - at least not permanently. Is there any evidence for this? I am not aware of any.

I've known people who thought they were straight and then decided they were gay and people who thought they were gay then decided they were straight.

That's my evidence - what I've witnessed in my own life.

I don't know if this has been documented.

The choice, if there is any, is not what we are, but whether we accept this.

I think you're talking about people being fixed in one position. I'm not sure they are. I think people change as they go through life.

(usually not in this aspect, but I believe some people do)

This can be very difficult, especially for younger people. It is not helped by the fact that a lot of society still finds it difficult to accept people who are different from the majority.

I agree. I think the desire to conform (and the desire to rebel) can influence people's choices.

(And I contend this is not helped by the false promise of some therapists who claim to be able to change a person's sexual orientation.)

You're assuming it's false. To use your words "Is there any evidence for this?"

Are you saying no therapist has ever changed someone's sexual orientation? Or been able to move them along the continuum in a chosen direction?

Steve