Gay conversion therapy is a thriving industry in the US, built around the idea that you can “cure” gay people.
There are hundreds of testimonials online from people who once were gay and are now very grateful that that is no longer the case. Most of these people seem to have participated in some organised treatment program or gay conversion therapy.
Listen to Meshel talking to an Australian who tried to do exactly that, on The Nitty Gritty Committee. (Post continues after podcast):
All of which clearly flies in the face of the accepted contemporary wisdom that homosexuality is your authentic self, if you’re gay. The idea that denying your sexuality could bring you closer to your real self seems nonsensical at best, and at worst, really dangerous. And yet there they are, person after person testifying that they have never been happier since they flatly refused to be gay.
After watching these things on days on end I have to admit that I feel a little quesy about dismissing these people. I mean who the hell am I to tell them they are wrong about their own feelings?
We don’t hear much about gay conversion therapy in Australia, but it’s definitley happening here. In fact, a friend of mine, Anthony, a comedian and producer, has his own story with gay conversion, right here in Australia…
Do you have any stories about people trying to convince you out of your sexuality?
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thanks for the interview and Podcast Meshel.People can find out more about this if they are interested here on our site http://www.abbi.org.au/reso...
Take it away from religion and even from homosexuality for a moment. Say a married woman is sexually attracted to a man who is not her husband... she is not following her sexual desires, because she believes that it is more "authentic" to be faithful to her husband and her marriage vows.
I wouldn't have a problem with that, even though the idea is similar - setting aside sexual desires for something else.
Meshel says that it is accepted contemporary wisdom that homosexuality is your authentic self, if you’re gay. But isn't Christianity part of your authentic self if you're Christian? Maybe a person considers their faith to be more relevant to their "authentic self" than their sexual attraction? I don't think I get to tell them what they should prioritise.
Good point however who is to say in 5, 10, or 15 years either a straight married woman or gay man who chooses to be straight for now would be able to still stay faithful to their partners? Some people can only resist temptation for so long and I think it would be worse for the relationship and any potential children for someone to give in after being so invested for so long.
That's not quite the same thing. One would assume that the woman is (or was) also attracted to her husband. No one acts on every sexual desire, the difference lies in where that desire is directed. Of course these people can choose not to act on their desires, but if they are attracted to the same sex rather than the opposite then they are gay regardless of their actions.
And while they have the right which desires to act on, it should be kept in mind that their choices (for example, if they choose to marry someone they are not attracted to) can have an affect on other people. And that's not fair.
And just personally, I don't consider faith and religion to be anywhere near the same level. Faith is ultimately a choice. No one is born religious.