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Content about Sexual orientation change efforts

March 23, 2013
New Jersey governor clarifies stance on gay conversion therapy: he does not believe in it

But Chris Christie has said he is 'torn' over signing bill that would ban it

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on Friday (22 March) sought to make clear that he does not endorse controversial gay conversion therapy.

A bill is currently working its way through the state legislature that would ban the practice of attempting to convert gay persons into living a straight lifestyle.

January 31, 2013
UK parliament opens its doors for gay cure debates

Core Issues, an organization advocating discredited and dangerous ‘gay cures’, was given space in Britain’s parliament for an informal debate to push its views

A Christian group was given a committee room in Britain’s Houses of Parliament yesterday (31 January) to debate therapy to ‘cure’ gay people.

The event, which took place in Committee Room 11 of the Houses of Parliament yesterday was set up and promoted by Core Issues, a Christian group that has previously written disparagingly on LGBT issues.

December 20, 2012
Pastor 'cures' gay teens by getting them to stroke horses

The Cowboy Church of Virginia believes homosexuality and other addictions like self-harm and alcoholism can be cured with equine therapy

An American church is promising gay men they will be cured of their homosexuality if they stroke horses.

The Cowboy Church of Virginia, led by chief pastor Raymond Bell, believes homosexuality and other ‘addictions’ can be cured by Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.

Horse therapy, in the right hands, can be used to help overcome fears, develop communication skills, and is generally beneficial to mental health.

December 4, 2012
US judge blocks California's 'gay cure' for children ban

District judge exempts three therapists from state's ban on practicing gay conversion therapy

A US federal judge has blocked California's plans to ban 'gay cure’ therapy for minors.

The bill stops psychiatrists and churches from performing so-called reparative therapy on under 18s and any mental health professional who violates the law would be stripped of their license to practice.

It was set to be rolled out across the state in the New Year.

November 29, 2012
After controversial show, Dr. Oz says reparative therapy for gays can be harmful

'Trying to change who you are instead of loving who you are leads to broken spirits and broken hearts'

Under fire from LGBT groups for a show on so-called reparative therapy that attempts to turn gay people straight, Dr. Mehmet Oz has gone on the record saying he does not believe such therapy can work.

October 5, 2012
UK shrink struck off for 'gay cure' therapy

Investigative journalist calls for tougher regulations for therapists, as BACP formally opposes 'gay cure' practices

A UK psychotherapist has been struck off for using 'gay cure' therapy, after a two and a half year battle by an undercover journalist.

Lesley Pilkington, a 61-year-old who had been a shrink for 20 years, had her membership suspended from the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) in May 2012 after she was found to be telling patients she could cure their sexuality.

October 4, 2012
Student who had 'gay cure' sues California over new law

A college student who claims he had same-sex attractions but was 'cured' after conversion therapy has filed a lawsuit against California, which has banned the 'treatments' for minors

A college student who claims he had same-sex attractions but was 'cured' after conversion therapy has filed a lawsuit against California, which has enacted a law that bans the so-called 'treatments' for under 18s.

Aaron Blitzer, who is studying to be a therapist in that field, believes the banning of the therapy intrudes on First Amendment protections of free speech, privacy and freedom of religion.

September 24, 2012
Meet the man who had three exorcisms to 'cure' him of being gay

Peterson Toscano spent $30,000 trying to cure himself of being gay by undergoing controversial 'conversion' therapy treatments before accepting that he was a gay man

A gay man who spent thousands of dollars trying to cure himself of being gay has shared his experiences of controversial ‘conversion’ therapy.

Peterson Toscano, 47, says he has spent $30,000 (€23,000) on treatments that claim they can turn gay men straight.

Speaking to the BBC, the American performance artist says it took him 17 years to accept that he was gay and now refers to himself as an ‘ex-gay survivor.’

Not only do these treatments not work but he warns they are ‘pyschologically damaging.’

August 31, 2012
Claim gays are ‘more dangerous than global warming’

An American think tank has made a string of extraordinary claims about homosexuality, including that it is more dangerous than global warming, as it gears up for a month long campaign attacking same-sex marriage

A far-right American think tank has compared the ‘second-hand risk’ of homosexuality to that of smoking and drug abuse, and declared it more dangerous than global warming as part of a campaign to protect marriage from the LGBT community.

The Center for Marriage Policy made the claims ahead of declaring September 'Protecting Marriage Month.’

‘Public policy must discourage promiscuity and homosexuality for the same reasons we discourage drug abuse and smoke,’ a flyer produced by the group reads.

May 25, 2012
The top eight 'gay cure' myths busted

We look at the myths being lined up to 'cure' gay and lesbian people of their sexuality

While many of us know homosexuality is normal, plenty of homophobes keep spreading myths that ‘gay cure’ therapies work.

More vulnerable gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people are falling victim to these poisonous arguments, often used by their families, their church or even their country.

'Gay cure' or reparative therapy propaganda seems to be steamrolling, such as last month when religious activists booked an 'ex-gay' advert on London buses. Meanwhile, in the US, their main scientific advocate has withdrawn his support.

May 9, 2012
California set to ban gay 'conversion' therapy

Senator Ted Lieu says if minors suffer conversion therapy, it could lead to suicide

California is set to ban gay ‘conversion’ therapy in a law that is being hailed as the first of its kind.

Supporters say the legislation, which went before a final committee yesterday (8 May) in the American state, is necessary because this form of psychotherapy is ineffective and harmful.

Bill author Senator Ted Lieu said: ‘This therapy can be dangerous.’

He added the treatments can ‘cause extreme depression and guilt’ that can lead to suicide.

February 3, 2012
Ricky Martin and GLAAD critical of Univision report

Spanish-language story on ex-gay conversion therapy under fire

A story on so-called 'ex-gay conversion' therapy that aired on Univision earlier this week is being criticized by singer Ricky Martin and by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation for being unbalanced.

January 27, 2012
Gay leper conference is 'dangerous'

The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement has condemned a 'gay cure' conference in London today.

Activists are calling a Christian group which claims to offer a cure for homosexuality 'dangerous' as its controversial 'gay leper' conference begins in London.

The Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement (LGCM) is 'up in arms' about the Core Issues Trust's Lepers Among Us event, which runs today (27 January) at the Emmanuel Centre in the British capital's Westminster area, from 10am-8pm.

The non-profit organization advocates so-called 'reparative therapy', claiming it can help gay people become straight.