The British Medical Association Slams Ex-Gay Therapy

How many voices does it take condemning ex-gay therapy to set the record straight that "conversion therapy," or efforts to change the sexual orientation of someone, are dangerous and ineffective?

There have long been advocacy groups and activists here in the States spreading the truth about the harm of ex-gay ministries, from Truth Wins Out to Ex-Gay Watch and more. Then there's the American Psychological Association, which last year issued a brutal statement condemning programs that try and cure or treat sexual orientation.

Now, in the wake of some controversy where it appeared that Britain's National Health Service was funding some ex-gay therapy programs, the British Medical Association has come out with a powerful statement debunking religious groups and/or medical professionals that try to change someone's sexual orientation.

Tom Dolphin, a mucky muck within the British Medical Association (BMA), helped usher a vote by the BMA to ban and condemn the practice of ex-gay therapy.

"Sexuality is such a fundamental part of who a person is, that attempts to change it just result in significant confusion, depression and even suicide. You can't just wish away same-sex attraction no matter how inconvenient it might be," Dolphin said. Accordingly, more than two-thirds of BMA doctors voted for a measure which rejects efforts to "treat" homosexuality, and calls for mental health bodies to ban its practice.