National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality

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The National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) is a non-profit organization dedicated to "affirming a complementary, male-female model of gender and sexuality". It was founded in 1992 by Charles Socarides, Benjamin Kaufman, and Joseph Nicolosi and is part of the ex-gay movement that advocates using reparative therapy to change the sexuality of lesbians and gay men. The group maintains that homosexuality is a psychological disorder.

The headquarters are located in California at Nicolosi's Thomas Aquinas Psychological Clinic. NARTH currently claims to have over 1,000 members. Anyone can join.

1 Formation
2 Criticism
3 See also
4 External links
5 References

[edit] Formation

In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders^[1] and condemned all attempts at reparative therapy, whether voluntary or coerced, for patients exhibiting same-gender behavior.

Dr. Benjamin Kaufman says that he, Socarides, and Nicolosi founded NARTH because the APA and similar professional organizations "had totally stifled the scientific inquiry that would be necessary to stimulate a discussion [of understanding the nature of homosexuality]."^[2] NARTH claims that it has become "politically incorrect" to make even the suggestion of a dialogue that opens up the question of the normality of homosexuality. He states the reason they formed NARTH was in response to "censorship of a politically unpopular position." NARTH argues that there is today a widespread propaganda in favour of normalizing homosexualily in law and education.

[edit] Criticism

Theories of therapeutic methods for changing sexual bias are no longer endorsed by professional mental health organizations, such as the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, American Counseling Association, National Association of School Psychologists, and the National Association of Social Workers. Other health care associations have also condemned reparative therapy including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American School Health Association. Professional organizations of educators have also added their voice opposing this therapy, such as the American Association of School Administrators, American Federation of Teachers, and the National Education Association.

On 29 August 2006, the CNN reported a statement issued to them by the APA stating that "there is simply no sufficiently scientifically sound evidence that sexual orientation can be changed." ^[3]

The Human Rights Campaign, a gay rights group, issued a press release that in 1999 NARTH President, Charles Socarides, had

"run into trouble with the American Psychoanalytic Association (APsaA), of which he is a member. According to a letter from Dr. Ralph Roughton of the APsaA, Socarides misrepresented the position of the APsaA in a published paper and a court affidavit. Socarides attempted to make it appear that the APsaA agrees with his positions on homosexuality. He did this by quoting an APsaA document written in 1968, which supported his views and which he called the "official position" of the APsaA, while ignoring a 1990 revised statement that drastically contradicted his views. The Executive Committee of the APsaA instructed the organization's attorney to write a letter to Socarides asking him to cease this misrepresentation and threatening legal action if he continued. Additionally, the APsaA newsletter decided to stop printing advertisements for NARTH meetings because the organization does not adhere to APsaA's policy of non-discrimination and because their activities are demeaning to our members who are gay and lesbian, according to Roughton."^[4]

NARTH counters, arguing the psychological/psychiatric professional associations have become little more than the research arms of the gay rights movement.^[5] "Gay advocates have created fraudulent studies and misused, misquoted, and mischaracterized other research studies for political gain. These reports are frequently used in court cases to bring about victories for gay activism."^[6]

NARTH member Dr. Jeffrey Santinover argues the data used in studies presented by the American Psychiatric Association in its Lawrence v. Texas amicus brief were fraudulent and violated ethical research guidelines. ^[7]

Several high profile mental health professionals have come out against statements by the APA, and other mental health organisations, like past APA president Dr. Robert Perloff, who is incidentally, while heterosexual, a fellow in the Gay & Lesbian APA division. More detailed accounts of the political clash on this issue are documented in a book edited by 2 APA heavyweights, past APA president Nicholas A. Cummings, Ph.D., Sc.D. and Rogers H. Wright, Ph.D., Litt.D., titled Destructive Trends in Mental Health ^[8]