New Evidence in Reparative Therapy

The APA (American Psychological Association) has stated that "Gay Therapy" does not work. Although many people have known this for a while, I am glad that the APA is finally recognizing this fact. Too many people are negatively affected by believing that being gay or lesbian is something that can be changed. From family members, to policies, to people who are in the closet and coming to terms with their sexuality - everyone and everything is hurt when you believe that it's a choice. So that have the APA finally recognize it is important. In the past gay therapy has been criticized by the APA, but it is now rejected.

I also happen to like how they do offer alternatives to those whose religious and sexual orientation clash: celibacy, changing churches etc. I do think it is important to respond to the fact that like they said, "Secular therapists have to recognize that some people will chose faith over their sexuality." The APA can do very little in changing the policies of the churches, but in the mean time they can offer alternatives to the religious who are gay.

I can also see where some people might be offended by the fact that they offering alternatives, rather than helping their patient overcome their belief that homosexuality is a sin. Two things must be touched upon those people who would pose an argument, like the article states, "the religious psychotherapists have to open up their eyes to the potential positive of being gay or lesbian." Sometimes there has to be a change made in the religious community if you are going to change the minds of the religious who happen to be gay. It might be the only way. The APA is being proactive. I think it also does people good to remember that these religious gays might be going to therapists/priests/pastors that may be from their religion, or who in the past have advocated that a change can happen. So by rejecting the claim that reparative therapy does help, they are helping these very people who would have otherwise gone to them and suffered tremendous physical and emotional pain.

Overall, I'm really glad that the APA finally opened their eyes and stated that reparative therapy, or gay therapy, does not work. I wonder what type of legal issues will arise because of this, that will lead to bigger change?

Really?

It just amazes me how ignorant people can be online and in the world. I was recently on afterellen.com and there was an article about the ABC special about a mtf transition, and how it was going to affect her family, her wife, her life, etc.

First off, there were a couple things with the previews for the episode that I had trouble with. Granted, I did not see the program, so I do not know how much of what was portrayed in the commercials was portrayed in the actual show. It seemed to me to look like it wasn't so much the process, but how it was going to negatively affect the family and children. Rather than highlighting the good, it was showing the bad. It was making the trans issue a "family secret," which is completely unacceptable.

Now, back to what angered me even more. In the comments area, one woman actually said how she could not understand why someone would do that, and instead just stay the way he was. This was completely disrespectful to the trans community as a whole. I mean, it is pretty well known that there is some friction between the trans and lgb community (ahem...HRC?) and a part of that may come from ignorance or just close-mindedness. But to just brush off the experience of another human being and look down upon is ridiculous. Especially as a member of the lgb community... really? You are really going to do that. Amazing.

I am glad that so many people called out the OP for her downright ignorant statement. I am glad that people brought it into her own frame of reference and how people could say "ooh, I don't know why she's gay, she might as well stay straight." There are people out there who think before they speak. But I guess I am just flabbergasted that this is even happening.

Ani DiFranco and the like

Ani DiFranco is coming to Cornell! Well, sort of. She's coming to the State Theatre of Ithaca in November, which has a lot of affiliation with Cornell, and that also means that the crew might be made of Cornell students...like me!

To be honest, I'm not actually one of her fans. There are a couple songs that I do like (you can blame Lost and Delirious for that one) but for the most part her voice is too irritating to listen to for long periods of time.

Actually, I don't really like most lesbian singers. It's not that I don't like them because they are gay (actually if that was the case, that would be pretty hilarious- all things considered). I just can't get over their style of music and the songs themselves. Yet, I know many gay girls who happen to love all gay singers, or at least a good number of them. Hell, I even have a couple friends whose entire iTunes consists of just gay singers.

Meanwhile, I'm much more inclined to the lesbian movie genre. I find that entire genre of movies fascinating (and be forewarned that a lot of my posts will probably be related to them :p). It has a pretty rich history that I've barely sunken my teeth into. Yet, most of my gay friends don't really care for them, and instead opt for the gay music.

A part of me does think it might just be cultural differences. A lot of the gay girls on campus are a bit crunchy/hippy/veggie type girls. I on the other hand love meat and cement. In that order :p. I've also come across articles and studies in Human Development about how hispanic households in the US also tend to incorporate television more in their lives in comparison to say hippy white people (and of course this is because of so many reasons that could just be a post on its own). Which could explain why I grew up watching a lot of tv and some of them don't even have tv's in their homes. As a hispanic kid in a hispanic household, I've just grown up appreciating the more visual side of things? Ahh, me and my negligible magic window.

It could just be that these girls just have more of an inclination to the outdoorsy folk music-y type, while I just like to stay in doors and watch some movies. Or I'm over-thinking this, but that I doubt (now thats just the HD side of me talking). There has to at least be some precursor to these differences!

Interestingly enough, I haven't really found a person whose into both without having a major preference towards one or the other. What gives yo?

(Also, as a side note...I just use lesbian and gay interchangeably throughout this entire post and blog)