The arguments for sexual orientation change efforts - historical and philosophical analysis.
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2018-07
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Abstract
The Polish history of so-called reparative therapies (i.e. therapies aimed at converting homosexual orientation into heterosexual orientation) begins together with the history of institutionalized medical sexology in Poland. Nowadays, the vast majority of Polish sexologists recognize homosexuality as a normal sexual variant. However, the very fact that a diagnosis of ego-dystonic sexual orientation is still present in the ICD-10 (the official medical classification used in Poland) creates a window of opportunity for some conservative therapists. The diagnostic entry serves as justification for offering conversion therapies and presenting them as an appropriate response to the problem of homosexuality. We will present the goals, methods, and sources of conversion therapists’ knowledge. Additionally, we will analyze the historical shifts in professional approaches towards homosexuality and arguments used to present conversion therapy as a valid therapeutic method.Homosexuality ceased to be listed as a mental disorder in 1974 in the DSM and in 1992 in the ICD. However, ICD-10 still contains the category of ego-dystonic sexual orientation that applies in cases where sexual orientation is a source of distress for the patient. The presence of this diagnostic category further serves to justify sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) as a valid therapeutic response to a homosexual client. SOCE have had devoted supporters and vigorous opponents using a rich repertoire of arguments to support their opinions. We will provide a historical analysis of the changes in these arguments. We will argue that, initially, shifts in argumentation have reflected the more general attitudinal changes towards the nature of mental illness and have been accompanied by heated debates on the abuse of medical power to define normality and enforce treatment on those classified as abnormal. More recently, some SOCE defenders cite the client’s autonomy and the special nature of therapeutic relationships as valid moral grounds for providing treatment. It is claimed that clients' values (usually stemming from their religious convictions) should be respected even if the same values are the source of distress. We will provide a philosophical analysis of these new arguments and demonstrate that they are neither scientifically nor ethically valid.
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Grunt-Mejer, K. (2018). The arguments for sexual orientation change efforts - historical and philosophical analysis. Conformity, Dialogue and Deviance in Health and Medicine Society for the Social History of Medicine Conference 2018 Liverpool, 11-13.07.2018,