Homosexuality

Focus on the Family announced on Tuesday that it will be passing the reigns of its Love Won Out conferences on homosexuality to another ministry.

The move is a logical step, the Colorado Springs-based evangelical organization said, especially as it faces a "serious" budget shortfall.

"Everyone knows these are challenging times for organizations and individuals all across the globe," said Gary Schneeberger, vice president of media and public relations for Focus on the Family, in a statement. "It is not an inexpensive undertaking to put on a Love Won Out event; and contrary to what our detractors say, the conferences rarely have recouped the financial investment made in them. That is a cost we have always paid because of the positive impact the events have had." more >>

Supporters on both sides of the gay marriage debate in Maine have pledged to conduct civil campaigns in the months leading up to the November election.

"We are pleased that your campaign has finally responded to our long-standing call for both sides of this issue to conduct an honest, civil and respectful campaign. We are pleased you have accepted our challenge," said leaders of the conservative Stand for Marriage Maine.

Last week, Stand for Marriage submitted more than the required signatures to the Secretary of State's office for a chance to toss out the state's same-sex marriage law. The state legislature legalized marriage for gay and lesbian couples in May. more >>

On Wednesday, the American Psychological Association governing board received the report of the Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Response to Sexual Orientation. With this post, I want to comment on the paper and recommendations made by the Task Force.

Generally, I believe the paper to be a high quality report of the evidence regarding sexual orientation and therapy. The authors of the paper (see this post for the new release which contains authorship information) provide a very helpful discussion of the professional literature on sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE), potential benefits and harm and the role of religion and values in sexual orientation identity exploration. Before I get to a more detailed look at highlights, I want to note an important statement from the APA press release made by Task Force Chair, Judith Glassgold:

Practitioners can assist clients through therapies that do not attempt to change sexual orientation, but rather involve acceptance, support and identity exploration and development without imposing a specific identity outcome. more >>

The American Psychological Association (APA) adopted a resolution Wednesday advising mental health professionals to avoid telling clients that they can change their sexual orientation through therapy or other treatments.

The "Resolution on Appropriate Affirmative Responses to Sexual Orientation Distress and Change Efforts" also advises that parents, guardians, young people and their families avoid sexual orientation treatments that portray homosexuality as a mental illness or developmental disorder and instead seek psychotherapy, social support and educational services "that provide accurate information on sexual orientation and sexuality, increase family and school support and reduce rejection of sexual minority youth."

"Contrary to claims of sexual orientation change advocates and practitioners, there is insufficient evidence to support the use of psychological interventions to change sexual orientation," said Dr. Judith M. Glassgold, chair of the task force behind a newly released report that examined the efficacy of reparative therapy, or sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE). more >>

Two openly gay ministers have been nominated to assist the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles as suffragan bishops, setting up another test case for The Episcopal Church, whose actions in recent years have strained relations within the wider Anglican Communion.

One day after the search committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota announced an actively gay minister as one of three nominees for bishop, the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles revealed that two of six nominees for suffragan bishops are openly gay, including one who has been with her “life partner” since 1988.

"I give thanks for the hard work of the Search and Nominating Committee whose members will work up to and through the election to shepherd the candidates and assist the Diocese in making its choices,” stated the Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno, diocesan bishop of the L.A. Episcopal Diocese, following Sunday’s announcement of the nominees. more >>