Dr. Spitzer’s Research Summary Dr. Spitzer’s Research Summary Copyright © Melvin W. Wong, Ph.D Exodus International Latinoamerica Melvin W. Wong, Ph.D. Licensed Clinical Psychologist ChristianMentalHealth.com

Robert L. Spitzer, M.D. Chief, Biometrics Research and Professor of Psychiatry, Columbia University Wall Street Journal, May 23, 2001 “In 1973, I opposed the prevailing orthodoxy in my profession by leading the effort to remove homosexuality from the official list of psychiatric disorders. For this, liberals and the gay community respected me, even as it angered many psychiatric colleagues. I said then -- as I say now -- that homosexuals can live happy, fulfilled lives. If they claim to be comfortable as they are, they should not be accused of lying or of being in denial.”

“In 1973, I opposed the prevailing orthodoxy in my profession by leading the effort to remove homosexuality from the official list of psychiatric disorders. For this, liberals and the gay community respected me, even as it angered many psychiatric colleagues. I said then -- as I say now -- that homosexuals can live happy, fulfilled lives. If they claim to be comfortable as they are, they should not be accused of lying or of being in denial.”

Robert L. Spitzer, M.D. Robert L. Spitzer, M.D. Chief, Biometrics Research and Professor of Psychiatry, Columbia University Wall Street Journal, May 23, 2001 “Now, in 2001, I find myself challenging a new orthodoxy. This challenge has caused me to be perceived as an enemy of the gay community, and of many in the psychiatric and academic communities. The assumption I am now challenging is this: that every desire for change in sexual orientation is always the result of societal pressure and never the product of a rational, self-directed goal.

This new orthodoxy claims that it is impossible for an individual who was predominantly homosexual for many years to change his sexual orientation -- not only in his sexual behavior, but also in his attraction and fantasies -- and to enjoy heterosexuality.”

“This controversy erupted recently, when I reported the results of a study that asked an important scientific question: Is it really true that no one who was predominantly homosexual for many years could strongly diminish his homosexual feelings and substantially develop heterosexual potential?”

“What I found was that, in the unique sample I studied, many made substantial changes in sexual arousal and fantasy -- and not merely behavior. Even subjects who made a less substantial change believed it to be extremely beneficial.”

200 Subjects Who Claim to Have Changed Their Sexual Orientation from Homosexual to Heterosexual Robert L. Spitzer, M.D. Chief, Biometrics Research and Professor of Psychiatry, Columbia University 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 60, NYS Psychiatric Institute New York, NY (Presented at the APA: American Psychiatric Association Meeting: May 9, 2001, New Orleans, U.S.A.)

200 Subjects Who Claim to Have Changed Their Sexual Orientation from Homosexual to Heterosexual Robert L. Spitzer, M.D. Chief, Biometrics Research and Professor of Psychiatry, Columbia University 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 60, NYS Psychiatric Institute New York, NY (Presented at the APA: American Psychiatric Association Meeting: May 9, 2001, New Orleans, U.S.A.)

Dr. Spitzer’s Research Summary Dr. Spitzer’s Research Summary Copyright © Melvin W. Wong, Ph.D Exodus International Latinoamerica Melvin W. Wong, Ph.D. Licensed Clinical Psychologist ChristianMentalHealth.com 220 Montgomery St., Suite 1098, San Francisco, CA Tel (510) Fax (510)

Scientist Says Study Shows Gay Change Is Possible New York Times, May 9, 2001 Scientist Says Study Shows Gay Change Is Possible New York Times, May 9, 2001 ( By ERICA GOODE) The researchers defined "good heterosexual functioning," as having been in a "loving and emotionally satisfying heterosexual relationship" for the year leading up to the interview, having engaged in satisfying heterosexual sex at least monthly and having never or rarely thought of same- sex partners during heterosexual sex

Mental health professional 47% ExGay/ religious support group 34% Other (mentoring, books, spiritual work) 19% Most Helpful or Only Type of Help

“Markedly” or “Extremely” Bothered by Depression 43% 47% 1% 4%

Sexual Attraction Scale Mean (100 = same sex, 0 = opposite sex)

Exclusively Homosexual BEFORE Exclusively Heterosexual AFTER 42% 46% 17% 55%

Change effort was “Very Helpful” in… …developing nonsexual relations with same sex 93% … …… …feeling more [masculine, feminine] 87%

What Can We Conclude: While many homosexuals who claim to be happy, many are not! They want change! Change is possible and scientifically proven –I–I–I–Individuals should have freedom of choice –P–P–P–Person’s self-determination should be honored Change is possible for the motivated –S–S–S–Strong religious belief is the key This confirmed what Exodus has been saying since 1973, “Change is possible!”