WASHINGTON: Peter Sprigg Testifies Against Proposed "Ex-Gay" Torture Ban

"At the heart of the attacks on sexual reorientation therapy are two claims-- that such therapies are ineffective, and that they are harmful. However, there is abundant anecdotal evidence that such therapies work -- that is, people who say that they were helped by such therapies to change from predominantly homosexual to predominantly heterosexual. There is also scientific evidence. The National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality has cited ‘600 reports of clinicians, researchers, and former clients -- primarily from professional and peer-reviewed scientific journals’ which show that 'reorientation treatment has been helpful to many.' The American Psychological Association (APA), under the sway of a small but influential pro-homosexual lobby, has criticized and discouraged (but never banned) reorientation therapy. Yet even the APA acknowledges that ‘participants reporting beneficial effects in some studies perceived changes to their sexuality, such as in their sexual orientation, gender identity, sexual behavior, [and/or] sexual orientation identity." - Family Research Council vice president Peter Sprigg, testifying before the Washington DC City Council Committee on Health.