Editorial: The Attempt of Treating Homosexuality
The Attempt of Treating Homosexuality
Editorial Based on the Article: British therapists still offer treatments to ‘cure’ homosexuality
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2009/mar/26/homosexuality-gay-cure-treatment-orientation/print
In Britain, therapies are taking place to supposedly treat homosexuals. Although professionals are performing such treatments, it is said by the article that, “There is no evidence they change anyone’s sexual orientation.” Surveys were distributed to random psychology specialists all over the country, to understand how many professionals do offer these services. Surprisingly, 222 specialists out of the 1,328 interviewed, did say that they had already offered such treatment.
What surprises me the most in this practice, is that they are treating Homosexuality as if it were a disease. Being a homosexual is not a disease that has to be treated, it is a feeling that an individual chooses to follow. Have the guidance of a professional to combat prejudice and the societies pressure, is very important as it is said in the article, but having to go to “counselors, or be told to go by their parents”, is a sad way to face the reality. The specialist’s job is to guide the individual through the process of self-acceptance, and not to build a new person that would be more easily accepted by society.
Derek Munn, supporting the same argument stated, “So-called gay cure therapies are wholly discredited. The conclusions of this research are a welcome reminder that what lesbian and gay people need is equal treatment by society, not misguided treatment by a minority of health professionals.”
The development of such “cures” seems to me, a way to camouflage the existence of a huge population of gay people, which the society does not know how to live with and respect. Specialists are now trying to convert gay people just as Jesuits once did, so that they wont have to change the mentality of a whole population, who cannot accept different type of cultures, ethnic groups, religions, and sexual orientations. If the society does not learn how to accept these differences, segregation will continue to occur, because people are different no matter what, and what needs to be changed is the way that others perceive and accept these differences.
[Note: I did this for school, so there may be some errors regarding grammar and etc, I will make sure to correct them soon.]
Great editorial, Pam!
I’m so happy you’re putting your mind into such a delicate topic! Congratulations, because the editorial is really good and no grammar errors that I could spot!
I just think that the word “choose” isn’t very accurate… Because it if were just a choice, then it’s easier to just be hetero or bisexual, but homosexuals go through all they go through because that’s just the way they are.
I also think that they shouldn’t even bother making a “cure” for homosexuals. Like you put it, they’re treating it as a disease, like before. I hate how society has this idea of “normal” that doesn’t allow people with different minds to fit in. It’s not up to society to choose what needs or doesn’t need to be done to homosexuals, why do they care so much? Why don’t they create a “cure” for heterosexuality then? Because they don’t people to have a choice over what they want, it’s what the society wants that goes.
Damn, I could just sit here and write an editorial all myself XD we can talk later about this! I hate people with closed minds. You go gurl, that’s why you rock so much in so many people’s lives! :3