(AgapePress) - A controversial study has demonstrated that homosexuality is not necessarily a fixed sexual orientation, but that "gay" men and lesbians can change.

The research was conducted by Dr. Robert L. Spitzer, who in 1973 was one of the driving forces behind the psychiatric community's removal of homosexuality from its manual of mental disorders. The study was published in the October Archives of Sexual Behavior.

"Although examples of 'complete' change in orientation were not common, the majority of participants did report change from a predominantly or exclusively homosexual orientation before therapy to a predominantly or exclusively heterosexual orientation in the past year as a result of reparative therapy," said a statement from the National Association of Research and Therapy of Homosexuality, which examined the Spitzer data.

While the mental health community is opposed to "reparative therapy," by which a patient attempts to change his sexual orientation away from homosexuality, Spitzer said his colleagues need to take another look.

"Many patients, provided with informed consent about the possibility that they will be disappointed if the therapy does not succeed, can make a rational choice to work toward developing their heterosexual potential and minimizing their unwanted homosexual attractions," he said.

Ed Vitagliano, a frequent contributor to AgapePress, is news editor for AFA Journal, a publication of the American Family Association. This article appeared in the November/December 2003 issue.

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