“A longitudinal study of attempted religiously-mediated sexual orientation change.”

Do you remember these findings of fact from the Prop 8 ruling?

43. Sexual orientation refers to an enduring pattern of sexual, affectional or romantic desires for and attractions to men, women or both sexes. An individual’s sexual orientation can be expressed through self-identification, behavior or attraction. The vast majority of people are consistent in self-identification, behavior and attraction throughout their adult lives... 

46. Individuals do not generally choose their sexual orientation. No credible evidence supports a finding that an individual may, through conscious decision, therapeutic intervention or any other method, change his or her sexual orientation. 

47. California has no interest in asking gays and lesbians to change their sexual orientation or in reducing the number of gays and lesbians in California... 

51. Marrying a person of the opposite sex is an unrealistic option for gay and lesbian individuals.[1]

This is what I thought of when I read the news of this study of Exodus International,

Stanton L. Jones & Mark A. Yarhouse. (2011). “A longitudinal study of attempted religiously-mediated sexual orientation change.” Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, Volume 37, pages 404-427.

• 98 homosexuals (72 men, 26 women) were involved in the study.
• 61 participated for six to seven years.  Of those 61:
• 53% were categorized as successful outcomes by the standards of Exodus Ministries.
• 23% said their orientation had changed.
• 30% reported stable behavioral chastity with substantive dis-identification with homosexual orientation.
• 20% reported giving up and fully embracing their homosexual identity.

One of the study's authors, Stanton L. Jones, a psychologist at Wheaton College, cautions against projecting success ratios based on the study.  It is inaccurate to say that 23% of people change their sexual orientation or even Exodus International has a 23% success rate.  The study simply says that 23% of their sample self identified as having changed their sexual orientation after seven years since attempting therapy.  

Notice Judge Vaughn Walker in finding of fact 46 found that there was no credible evidence that "an individual may, through conscious decision, therapeutic intervention or any other method, change his or her sexual orientation."  This study published for peer review in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, is most likely the first of its kind. This study may become a piece of credible evidence that Judge Walker said did not exist in 2010.  Still notice finding of fact 43, Judge Walker noted that the evidence suggests that the vast majority of people (homosexual and heterosexual) are "consistent in self-identification, behavior and attraction throughout their adult lives". This study does little, if anything, to contradict this.  From their sample, only 23% changed their orientation. 30% were still identifying with the homosexual orientation though they had "substantive dis-identification".  20% abandoned the therapy and embraced their homosexual identity.  There is 27% not listed in the summary of the study, so I do not have the information about their outcomes.  While Jones repeatedly claims that "conversion" is not uncommon and backed up by this study and "by any number of powerful anecdotes that are out there"; the prevailing research, including Jones' study, seem to support that it is only accomplished in the minority.  Non-anecdotal evidence still suggests that the vast majority are consistent throughout their adult lives.  

This is important, because we do not have a scientifically viable treatment for converting homosexuals into heterosexuals.  Even the 23% according to Jones' study the authors explored "a variety of possible explanations of the findings including religious healing and sexual identity change." Even if the study had discerned a viable treatment, it may not work on most individuals.  Both of these are beyond the scope of the study, but they are practical real world concerns.  

The fact of the matter, sin or not, is that homosexuals live among us and will continue to live among us for the foreseeable future.   In light of this fact, Judge Walker struck down Prop 8.  In light of this the authors of the study said the following in their press release.[2][3]

Most importantly, the study suggests that since change seems possible for some, then all should respect the integrity and autonomy of persons seeking to change their sexual orientation for moral, religious, or other reasons, just as we respect those who for similar reasons desire to affirm and embrace their sexual orientation. This requires that space be created in religious and professional circles for individuals to seek sexual orientation change or sexual identity change with full information offered about the options and their potential risks. We would do well to put as much information as possible in the hands of consumers so that they are able to make informed decisions and wise choices among treatment options. The results also suggest that it would be premature for professional mental health organizations to invalidate efforts to change sexual orientation and unwanted same-sex erotic attractions.