The issue of homosexuality has become a controversial issue in today’s society. With the legalization of gay marriage back in June of 2015, thousands of homophobics and Christians alike were livid by this “sin of all sins”. The want to “change” the views of homosexuals is ever growing. Gay conversion therapy, as it is known, supposedly helps gay people overcome same-sex attractions. However, mainstream psychologists say the therapy is ineffective, unethical and often harmful, exacerbating anxiety and self-hatred among those treated for what is not a mental disorder. Despite the declassification of homosexuality as a mental illness, efforts to sexually reorient lesbians and gay men continue. New methods of conversion have surfaced and the question most of us are asking is: is conversion therapy ethical? Unethical and ethical considerations relative to the ongoing stigmatizing effects of conversion therapies will be discussed in the following paper.
G.J.M van der Aardweg defines homosexuality as erotic wishes directed to the members of the same sex, accompanied by the
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These techniques are immediately seen as unethical when considering the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. According to this code of conduct, “Psychologists respect the dignity and worth of all people… special safeguards may be necessary to protect the rights and welfare of persons or communities… Psychologists are aware of and respect cultural, individual and role differences, including those based on age, gender, gender identit, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation… and consider these factors when working with members of such groups… and they do not knowingly participate in or condone activities of others based upon such prejudices” (Association,