Are there solutions in overcoming same-sex attractions?
Should same-sex attractions even be viewed as a problem in need of solving?
These were two important questions under the microscope at Tuesday's Mormon Brown Bag Series lecture titled, "Same-Sex Attracted Mormons and Reparative Therapy."
Dr. Lee Beckstead was the keynote speaker on hand to discuss the potential of reparative and conversion therapy, two approaches to counseling that the LDS church often refers its members to.
Reparative therapy views homosexuality as a disorder and seeks to correct it. Under this theory, all people are believed to be heterosexuals who possess a certain degree of same-sex emotional needs. Homosexuality occurs when those needs are sexualized.
Conversion therapy goes one step beyond that of the reparative approach. This paradigm insists that those afflicted with the disorder of same-sex tendencies must turn to God and sacrifice their lifestyles. Only then will they become heterosexual.
Beckstead, who obtained his doctorate in counseling psychology and now specializes in relationship issues, has problems with this narrow view of homosexuality.
"What we've seen, as a result of reparative therapy, is a decrease in same-sex attraction, but no increase in opposite sex attraction," said Beckstead.
As a man who grew up both LDS and homosexual, Beckstead's knowledge regarding this topic extends beyond his education.
Beckstead brought up three particular topics at the lecture.
"First, changes need to occur in terms of how we view homosexuality...second, reparative therapy doesn't work as well as experts hoped...and third, there has to be a broader approach which will embrace all possible options in dealing with the issue," he said.
There is a certain middle ground that can be reached to allow sexuality, spirituality and emotions to do what they need and to coexist, according to Beckstead.
"Reparative therapy is unethical and has potential for harm," he concluded.
The lecture had varying effects on those in attendance.
U student Ryan Hill was raised LDS and has been with his current partner for almost a year now.
He has been through the counseling that was addressed in the lecture.
"I found it very informative and very interesting. I thought his thesis was very correct," Hill said.
"The outcome of making you heterosexual isn't really the outcome we should be looking for. We should be looking for the outcome of being comfortable with who we are," he said.
U student John Spillman didn't find the lecture quite as fulfilling as Hill.
"For me, it just didn't apply because I don't have that LDS background," Spillman said.
When asked what the main goal of the lecture was, Beckstead replied, "I wanted to clarify misconceptions about what reparative therapy can offer and what it doesn't offer. I wanted to promote a broader-based approach in a setting free from bias and judgment," Beckstead said.
sgehrke@chronicle.utah.edu
