Gay Aversion Therapy
is a radio presenter on Merseyside who is openly gay – and proud of it – despite the fact that he was made to undertake what would now be considered a barbaric form of aversion therapy in his teens in an attempt to cure him of his homosexuality.
When he was 12 in 1959 Pete discovered he was gay. A few years later he told his mother he was gay and she pressured him to seek treatment. He ended up in a psychiatric hospital where he underwent a traumatic form of aversion therapy.
Pete agreed to have the treatment because he wanted to be straight, all his friends were getting married and having children and he wanted to be 'normal' like them. He also did it for his mum as she just wanted him to be happy. Pete believes he's been permanently damaged by the treatment he received.
I worked with farm animals for a few years, and homosexual behaviour was common and normal from my observations. Seems to me that humans would benefit from a 'cure' for homophobia rather than homosexuality.
Complain about this postIn the early 1980's my friend Beth vanished from Edinburgh where she was a student. Her parents removed her because she had come out as gay. They held her against her will and she was subjected to aversion therapy by pyschiatric services. She had a complete break down. Many years later I bumped into her in Glasgow. She told me what had happened but her parents were nearby and she was frightened to be seen talking to me. I asked her if the aversion therapy had worked and she told me no; she still had feelings for women but it was easier to go along with what her parents wanted. She had no fight left in her. It was awful to see her in such a damaged state. So in Scotland in the 1980's this practice was still endorsed by medical professionals. It is no surprise that the attitudes of these 'experts' prevail today and are supported by religious organisations. No surprise but deeply disturbing.
Complain about this postI was very interested to hear Pete Price as I have just found out my son is Gay. Don't know why they chose the word Gay for homosexuals as I think the majority go through a difficult time coming to terms with it. As Pete said he didn't chose to be like this, thats the way he was made. I am going through a very difficult time coming to terms with the fact I was unaware and my son kept it a secret for so long. I wasn't there to help him come to terms with this and he has had great difficulty. We still haven't told the rest of the family and I don't know how they will take it. One thing for sure it doesn't change the fact that my son is a lovely person and I love him very much. I only wish that people were more aware that this isn't by chose and accept Gays instead of constantly making fun of them.
Complain about this postPete Price's story is absolutely current today. Although it's no longer the medical profession giving aversion therapy, the 3 main religions are mobilising to deny homosexuals equality as they try to undermine the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations - which is simply trying to stop discrimination.
Sadly Radio 4 continues to give a platform specificaly for these posionous views on the religious only Thought for the Day.
Complain about this postIn reply to Liz:
You don't say how old your son is, but you mustn't read too much in to his not telling you sooner. It doesn't mean he didn't trust you - there could be lots of alternatives.
In my case, it genuinely didn't seem to be an issue for me (hard to believe, but true). I didn't come out to anyone until I was well into my 20s and when it looked as if it might become important.
I kinda wish I hadn't wasted so much time, but there's nothing I can do about it now, so there's no point in dwelling on it.
What I can do, though, is try to make it seem as normal as possible to be gay in my life in case any of my friends are struggling. This is also why I get so irate when those in the public eye, who should know better, make homophobic comments.
Alastair
Complain about this postFi was wondering why the word liberal has a bad name these days. it is because people like her claim to be broad minded then, in the next breath, proclaim so self-righteously that anyone who thinks holosexual sex is wrong is also homophobic (which is a crime, I migh add).
Complain about this postanyone who was not pro-gay rights just simply could not get her job on the so called liberal bbc. that is why the words liberal and bbc and fi glover cannot have the credibility they automatically expect
being gay is enviromental so why not have adversion therapy to reverse the process? its just a product of the english public school system, even the french call it the "vice anglais" its no coincidence that the british colonies happen to be gay capitals ie melborne and sanfransisco, mastubating up another mans rectum is NEVER going to have a gene that codes for that behavior, its enviromental and gany men know that thats why they can be very persuasive and are often predatory they would love to convert a straight man which seems strange if there was a "gene" for it, they wouldnt have to eh...............
Complain about this postThe scientific work referred to - to avoid the birth of gay rams - is highly suspicious. One ram can sire any number of offspring, many of which will be rams themselves. The majority of these will be eaten and not kept for breeding. So having a few (or even a lot) of homsexual rams can have no adverse effect on breeding. I wonder who is funding this research? The Lamb of (American) God?
Complain about this postIn reply to Liz:
In case you don't know about it, there is a very good organisation called Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (www.fflag.org.uk), run by parents of gay and lesbian people and dedicated to helping other parents, family members and friends coming to terms with a loved one's coming out. There is a helpline and local support groups, and useful leaflets.
Good luck, and how nice that your son has trusted you enough to share this important part of his life with you now. Don't dwell on the fact that he had a rough time keeping it a secret for so long; that's over with now. A friend of mine texted me the other day to say he had just come out to his Mum at 41 and he felt so unburdened at last.
Best Wishes from John
Complain about this postLewis, if you feel a subject is so important that it warrants publishing an opinion on it, is it not also important enough to actually spend some time educating yourself about it. Your posting merely reveals the depths of your ignorance. The nature/nurture debate on sexuality, as on so many other facets of personality, will probably go on forever, but is not furthered by bigoted opinions presented as statements of fact.
Complain about this postWhy is it that all the rabidly anti-gay so-called "Christians" seem to be the least educated? Their rants show no respect for grammar or spelling, so I suppose this ignorance is reflected in their views.
Complain about this postHear Hear John Glasgow,
I too found Fi's comment infuriating. It infers that anyone who thinks homosexuality is wrong is guilty at least of muddled thinking and at worst homophobia.
It so happens I too think that homosexuality is wrong but I would not be militant about it, if people want to indulge in these practices it is up to them, just don't expect me to approve of it. It seems to me that the gay lobby want to silence any criticism of their lifestyle from any quarter, an aim that the 91Èȱ¬ seems only to happy to co-operate with.
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