View source for National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality

'''National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality''' ('''NARTH'''), formerly '''National Association for Research and Treatment of Homosexuality''', is a [[non-profit organization]] that offers [[conversion therapy]] and other regimens intended to change the [[sexual orientation]] of individuals who experience unwanted [[sexual attraction]] to members of the same sex. NARTH's leaders describe their organization as "dedicated to affirming a complementary, male-female model of [[gender]] and [[Human sexuality|sexuality]]."<ref>[http://narth.com NARTH Home Page<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> NARTH was founded in 1992 by [[Joseph Nicolosi]], [[Benjamin Kaufman]], and the late [[Charles Socarides]]. Its headquarters are in [[Encino, California]], at the Thomas Aquinas Psychological Clinic. NARTH's leaders disagree<ref name=ajp>R. L. Spitzer, [http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/abstract/138/2/210 "The diagnostic status of homosexuality in DSM-III: a reformulation of the issues"], ''American Journal of Psychiatry'' 138 (1981): 210–15.</ref><ref> [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,904053,00.html "An Instant Cure"], ''Time''; April 1, 1974.</ref><ref> [http://www.narth.com/docs/normalization.html The A.P.A. Normalization of Homosexuality, and the Research Study of Irving Bieber<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> with the prevailing mainstream opinion that homosexuality on its own is not a disorder.<ref>[http://www.apa.org/about/governance/council/policy/sexual-orientation.aspx Resolution on Appropriate Affirmative Responses to Sexual Orientation Distress and Change Efforts]</ref> In a legal brief submitted to the supreme court of the state of California, the American Psychological Association, California Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, and National Association of Social Workers stated that no major mental health professional organization has sanctioned efforts to change sexual orientation and many have adopted policy statements cautioning the profession and the public about treatments that purport to change sexual orientation.<ref name=amici>[http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/courts/supreme/highprofile/documents/Amer_Psychological_Assn_Amicus_Curiae_Brief.pdf Case No. S147999 in the Supreme Court of the State of California, In re Marriage Cases Judicial Council Coordination Proceeding No. 4365(…)]</ref>

== Formation ==

NARTH was founded in 1992 by Benjamin Kaufman, Charles Socarides and Joseph Nicolosi. In an article titled [http://narth.com/docs/indefense.html ''In Defense of the Need for Honest Dialogue''], Kaufman wrote that Socarides, Nicolosi and himself founded NARTH because the APA and similar professional organizations "had totally stifled the scientific inquiry that would be necessary to stimulate a discussion [about homosexuality]."<ref>[http://www.narth.com/docs/indefense.html In Defense of the Need for Honest Dialogue]</ref>  NARTH's leaders argue that the political atmosphere had changed, making it politically incorrect to make even the suggestion of a dialogue that opens up the question of the normality of homosexuality. Kaufman states the reason they formed NARTH was in response to "censorship of a politically unpopular position."

== Activities ==

NARTH's activities include providing referrals to conversion therapists, conducting research, hosting lectures, publishing scholarly literature, distributing literature to schools and libraries, promoting awareness of issues of homosexuality, and increasing public awareness of people who seek change in their sexual orientation.<ref>[http://narth.com/menus/goals.html What We Offer<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

NARTH is a secular organization which does not use the Bible as justification for its positions, differentiating it from other [[ex-gay]] groups which are primarily religious in nature. Nevertheless, NARTH often partners with religious and secular groups, such as [[Positive Alternatives to Homosexuality]] (PATH), a coalition of predominantly ex-gay groups, alongside [[Evergreen International]] ([[Mormon]]), [[Jews Offering New Alternatives to Homosexuality]] (JONAH), [[OneByOne]] ([[Presbyterian]]) and Powerful Change Ministry Group. NARTH's members also take part in religious ex-gay and conversion therapy activities."<ref name="SCTECR"> [http://books.google.com/books?id=1jYuientrGoC Sexual conversion therapy: ethical, clinical, and research perspectives] Ariel Shidlo, Jack Drescher; Published by Haworth Press, 2002, ISBN 0789019116, 9780789019110. Pages 21–4, 188–190; p.152.</ref> <!-- What in the world is all this talk about NARTH leaders? Are they a special category of people or something? Who writes this junk? --> Agreement with NARTH's leaders' views is the "primary criterion for membership", rather than an individual's professional qualifications.<ref name="SCTECR"/> The NARTH website also contains a resource list of theological articles.<ref> [http://narth.com/menus/theological.html] accessed 31 March 2008</ref>

===Sigmund Freud Award===

Beginning in 1996, NARTH has given one researcher per year an award in recognition of the work they have done.  This award is named the "Sigmund Freud Award," and is presented at the NARTH annual conference.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan="4" style="background-color: #ffdead;" | Recipients of NARTH's Annual Sigmund Freud Award
|-
! name
! year
! reason
! note
|-
| [[Abraham Freedman (psychologist) |Abraham Freedman]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.narth.com/docs/1996papers/introduction.html |title=Introduction, Joseph Nicolosi, Ph.D.|author= |date=1996 |work=narth.com |publisher=NARTH |accessdate=2010-05-04}}</ref>
| 1996
| Therapeutic Attitude in the Treatment of Male Homosexuals<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.narth.com/docs/1996papers/freedman.html |title=Therapeutic Attitude in the Treatment of Male Homosexuals |author= |date=1996 |work=narth.com |publisher=NARTH |accessdate=2010-05-04}}</ref>
| –
|-
| [[Warren Throckmorton]]
| ?
| ?<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.narth.com/docs/discussionlist.html |title=Therapeutic Attitude in the Treatment of Male Homosexuals |author= |date=2005 |work=narth.com |publisher=NARTH |accessdate=2010-05-04}}</ref>
| date and reason unpublished
|-
| [[George Rekers]]
| 2000
| clinical works on childhood gender-identity disorder<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.narth.com/docs/report.html |title=Report: 2000 NARTH Conference Washington, D.C. |author= Jim Lewis |date=2000 |work=narth.com |publisher=NARTH |accessdate=2010-05-04}}</ref>
| –
|-
| [[Richard Fitzgibbons]]
| 2001
| for his prolific writings and work in the field of reorientation therapy<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.narth.com/docs/gather.html|title=Therapists, Ex-Gays Gather for NARTH Annual Conference |author= |date=2001 |work=narth.com |publisher=NARTH |accessdate=2010-05-04}}</ref>
| –
|-
| [[Robert L. Spitzer]]
| 2004
| research on the ability of gay people to modify sexual orientation<ref>{{cite journal |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |year=December 2004 |title=Spitzer Declines NARTH’s Sigmund Freud Award |journal=NARTH BULLETIN |publisher=NARTH |volume=13 |issue=3 |pages= 14|url=http://www.narth.com/menus/NARTHBulletinDecember2004.pdf  |doi= }}</ref>
| declined to accept
|-
|}

== Views ==

While its members may hold different views, NARTH's leaders hold to some key positions on the origins and nature of homosexuality. These views serve as both a basis for their advocacy, as well as a source of controversy in the psychological profession, among activists and in the media. NARTH's leaders argue that there is today a widespread propaganda in favor of normalizing homosexuality in law and education. NARTH believes that clients have the right to claim a gay identity.<ref name=views>[http://www.narth.com/menus/positionstatements.html Position Statements]</ref>

=== Mission statement ===

NARTH's mission statement reads:<ref>[http://narth.com/menus/mission.html NARTH Mission Statement<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

{{cquote|We respect the right of all individuals to choose their own destiny. NARTH is a professional, scientific organization that offers hope to those who struggle with unwanted homosexuality. As an organization, we disseminate educational information, conduct and collect scientific research, promote effective therapeutic treatment, and provide referrals to those who seek our assistance.

NARTH upholds the rights of individuals with unwanted homosexual attraction to receive effective psychological care and the right of professionals to offer that care. We welcome the participation of all individuals who will join us in the pursuit of these goals.}}

=== Beliefs ===

NARTH differs with the APA on their views of the nature and development of sexual identity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.narth.com/menus/positionstatements.html|title=7. On the Causes of Homosexuality|last=Anon|work=NARTH position statements|publisher=NARTH|accessdate=11 January 2010}}</ref> NARTH states that they agree with the American Psychological Association that "biological, psychological and social factors" shape sexual identity at an early age for most people. Nevertheless, while the American Psychological Association emphasizes biological influences, they say that NARTH places more emphasis on the environmental (family, peer and social) influences, even though there is no conclusive scientific evidence that parenting methods, sexual abuse, other adverse life events, or early childhood experiences influence the development of sexual orientation.<ref name=rcp2007>Royal College of Psychiatrists: [http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/pdf/Submission%20to%20the%20Church%20of%20England.pdf Submission to the Church of England’s Listening Exercise on Human Sexuality.]</ref><ref name="pediatrics2004">Pediatrics: [http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;113/6/1827 Sexual Orientation and Adolescents], [[American Academy of Pediatrics]] Clinical Report. Retrieved 2010-08-18.</ref> Those assumptions are now understood by the American Psychiatric Association to have been based on misinformation and prejudice.<ref name=psych2010>American Psychiatric Association [http://healthyminds.org/More-Info-For/GayLesbianBisexuals.aspx Sexual Orientation]</ref>

== Affiliations ==

===Focus on the Family ===

[[Focus on the Family]]'s [[Love Won Out]] ministry claims to exhort and equip the church to respond in a Christ-like way to homosexuality from "a biblical point of view." The conference bases its Prevention of Male Homosexuality session on NARTH's leaders' research. In the session Prevention of Male Homosexuality:<ref name="ReferenceA">Focus on the Family's Love Won Out Conference Guide Copyrighted 2005–2006</ref> "Contrary to the popular myth that homosexuality is genetic, same-sex attraction is a preventable and treatable condition."<ref>Love Won Out Conference Guide, pg 11</ref> Love Won Out questions if homosexuality may be unhealthy. Love Won Out shows in a statistic according to a study by NARTH:<ref name="ReferenceA"/> "500 studies show self-destructive, maladaptive behavior associated with a gay lifestyle."<ref>Love Won Out Conference Guide, pg 31</ref>

[[Joseph Nicolosi]], on November 4, 2006, represented NARTH at the ''Love Won Out'' conference speaking on "Prevention of Male Homosexuality" and on "The Condition of Male Homosexuality".<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>Focus on the Family's Love Won Out Conference Agenda</ref> Nicolosi is the president and principal research investigator for NARTH and the clinical director of the Thomas Aquinas Psychological Clinic in Encino, California, where he specializes in the treatment of "men with unwanted homosexuality".<ref>Love Won Out Conference Guide, pg 9</ref>

=== PATH ===

In 2003 NARTH's leaders made NARTH a member of [[Positive Alternatives to Homosexuality]].

== Criticism ==

===Gerald Schoenewolf controversy===

NARTH received some criticism for Gerald Schoenewolf's essay [http://www.splcenter.org/images/dynamic/intel/SchoenwolfEssay.pdf "Gay Rights and Political Correctness: A Brief History"], in which the member of NARTH's Science Advisory Committee argued that "Africa at the time of slavery was still primarily a jungle... Life there was savage ... and those brought to America, and other countries, were in many ways better off." He also stated that the civil rights movement, the women's rights movement, and the gay rights movement were all "irrational" and "destructive."<ref>[http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=717 SPLCenter.org: One More Enemy<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Schoenewolf later on clarified that "No person is better off enslaved, obviously... What I tried to say, before my words were twisted by that reporter, is that despite the clear and obvious evil of that practice, we tend to forget that many of the enslaved people had been first been sold into bondage by their fellow countrymen; so coming to America did bring about some eventual good. No social issue has all the 'good guys' lined up on one side and 'bad guys' on the other."<ref>[http://www.narth.com/docs/amok.html Political Correctness Gone Amok: The Latest Controversy<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

===George Alan Rekers===

{{main|George Alan Rekers}}

George Alan Rekers was once listed on NARTH's website as an advisor<ref>{{cite web | title=NARTH Advisors | publisher=NARTH |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080617025223/http://www.narth.com/menus/advisors.html| url=http://www.narth.com/menus/advisors.html |accessdate=2010-06-04 |archivedate=June 12, 2008}}</ref>, but this is no longer true {{as of|2010|6|lc=on|url=http://www.narth.com/menus/advisors.html}}. Rekers has testified in court that he believes homosexuality is a sin.<ref> [http://books.google.com/books?id=xw-H04MwJGAC A Parent's Guide to Preventing Homosexuality] Joseph Nicolosi; InterVarsity Press, 2002, ISBN 0830823794, 9780830823796.</ref> The ACLU has asserted that his personal beliefs regarding homosexuality interfere with his being able to give an unbiased professional opinion on [[LGBT]] topics, including [[gay adoption]].<ref> [http://books.google.com/books?id=FUwOKayHVwcC Transgender rights] Paisley Currah, Richard M. Juang, Shannon Minter; U of Minnesota Press, 2006, ISBN 0816643121, 9780816643127.</ref> Rekers was an expert witness in a 2004 case involving gay adoption in Arkansas. The state had banned LGBT people from adopting in 1999.

On May 4, 2010, press reports alleged that Rekers had hired a gay male prostitute from [[rentboy.com]] to accompany him on a ten-day European vacation. Rekers explained that the companion had been brought on the vacation so that he could carry Reker's baggage.<ref>http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2010-05-06/news/christian-right-leader-george-rekers-takes-vacation-with-rent-boy/1</ref><ref>http://www.dallasvoice.com/instant-tea/2010/05/04/anti-gay-activist-george-reker-outed-after-hiring-male-escort-from-rentboy-com/</ref><ref>http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2010/05/christian_right_leader_nabbed.html</ref>  On May 6 NARTH issued a statement on their website saying that "NARTH takes seriously the accusations that have been made, and we are currently attempting to understand the details behind these press reports."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.narth.com/docs/rekersresp.html |title=NARTH Responds to the Recent Media Coverage of Dr. George Rekers |date=2010-05-06 |work=narth.com |publisher=NARTH |accessdate=2010-05-10|quote=This document has been removed from the NARTH website as of June 4, 2010.}}</ref>

== Position of professional organizations on sexual orientation change efforts ==

{{Main|Sexual orientation change efforts#Position_of_professional_organizations_on_SOCE}}

In 2009 the American Psychological Association stated:
<blockquote>There are no studies of adequate scientific rigor to conclude whether recent sexual orientation change efforts do work to change a person’s sexual orientation. Those efforts has been controversial due to tensions between the values held by some faith-based organizations, on the one hand, and those held by lesbian, gay and bisexual rights organizations and professional and scientific organizations, on the other. The longstanding consensus of the behavioral and social sciences and the health and mental health professions is that homosexuality per se is a normal and positive variation of human sexual orientation. Some individuals and groups have promoted the idea of homosexuality as symptomatic of developmental defects or spiritual and moral failings and have argued that sexual orientation change efforts, including psychotherapy and religious efforts, could alter homosexual feelings and behaviors. Many of these individuals and groups appeared to be embedded within the larger context of conservative religious political movements that have supported the stigmatization of homosexuality on political or religious grounds.<ref name="apa2009">American Psychological Association: [http://www.apa.org/about/governance/council/policy/sexual-orientation.aspx Resolution on Appropriate Affirmative Responses to Sexual Orientation Distress and Change Efforts]</ref></blockquote>

No major mental health professional organization has sanctioned efforts to change sexual orientation and most of them have adopted policy statements cautioning the profession and the public about treatments that purport to change sexual orientation. These include the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, American Counseling Association, National Association of Social Workers in the USA<ref>[http://www.glad.org/uploads/docs/cases/2009-11-17-doma-aff-herek.pdf Expert affidavit of Gregory M. Herek, Ph.D.]</ref>, the Royal College of Psychiatrists<ref name=royal2009>Royal College of Psychiatrists: [http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/press/pressreleasearchives/2009/statement.aspx Statement from the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Gay and Lesbian Mental Health Special Interest Group]</ref>, and the Australian Psychological Society<ref name="aps>Australian Psychological Society: [http://www.psychology.org.au/publications/tip_sheets/orientation/ Sexual orientation and homosexuality]</ref>.

The American Psychological Association and the Royal College of Psychiatrists expressed concerns that the positions espoused by NARTH are not supported by the science and create an environment in which prejudice and discrimination can flourish.<ref name="apaexgay">[http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/policy/ex-gay.pdf Statement of the American Psychological Association]</ref><ref name=royal2009>Royal College of Psychiatrists: [http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/press/pressreleasearchives/2009/statement.aspx Statement from the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Gay and Lesbian Mental Health Special Interest Group]</ref>

== See also ==

* [[Biology and sexual orientation]]
* [[Environment and sexual orientation]]
* [[Homosexuality and psychology]]
* [[Sexual orientation and medicine]]

== References ==

{{reflist|2}}

== External links ==

* [http://www.narth.com National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality], Official Website
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20061229153003/http://www.psych.org/psych_pract/copptherapyaddendum83100.cfm COPP Position Statement on Therapies Focused on Attempts to Change Sexual Orientation (Reparative or Conversion Therapies)]
* [http://www.narth.com/menus/positionstatements.html NARTH position statements]

{{DEFAULTSORT:National Association For Research & Therapy Of Homosexuality}}
[[Category:1992 establishments]]
[[Category:Changing sexuality]]
[[Category:Conversion therapy]]
[[Category:Non-profit organizations based in California]]
[[Category:Psychotherapy]]

[[bg:Национална асоциация за изследване и терапия на хомосексуалността]]
[[de:National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality]]
[[pt:National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality]]
[[ru:Национальная ассоциация по исследованию и терапии гомосексуальности]]
[[zh:同性戀研究及治療全國協會]]
[[Category:2Fix]]