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What is Same-Gender Attraction
and what can you do about it?
If you experience same-sex
attractions (homosexual feelings), and are unhappy with a gay identity,
you can make changes. There is
help.
What is Same-Gender Attraction?
Same-gender attraction (also called same-sex attraction) is an intense interest in members of the same sex. This interest may include desires for their attention, friendship, intimacy, and/or a fascination with their bodies and other gender traits. It may also include erotic thoughts and sexual behavior with others of the same sex.
The term homosexuality refers to the entire complex that includes attractions, feelings, desires, sexual behavior, identity, and all its associated aspects, such as issues with masculinity, self-perception, emotional dependencies, and relationships.
Some people prefer to use the terms same-gender attraction (SSA) or same-gender attraction (SGA) to avoid the clinical and psychiatric misunderstandings that may come by using the term homosexuality. A person who experiences same-gender attraction or same-gender attraction may experience
 | Intense attractions (which may or may not be sexual or erotic) without sexual behavior or |
| Complete emotional and sexual involvement. |
The term homosexual is a clinical term that may be offensive when used as a noun to identify individuals who are trying to overcome same-gender attraction as well as to those who embrace a gay identity. The former typically prefer the terms same-gender attraction or same-sex attraction and the latter prefer the terms gay (referring to men) and lesbian (referring to women). Homosexual may appropriately be used as an adjective, such as homosexual behavior.
The terms gay (referring to men) and lesbian (referring to women) refer not only to personal feelings and behaviors, but they also describe a political, cultural, and social identity.
Whether or not sexual orientation (in the sense of an underlying same-gender, opposite-gender, dual-gender, or other spontaneous attraction) exists, and whether or not it can be changed is a matter of some controversy. See environment, choice, and sexual orientation, and genetics and sexual orientation.
A person who experiences same-sex attraction may experience emotional and sexual feelings or attractions, and may or may not engage in sexual behavior. Same-sex attraction cannot be identified simply by the presence or absence of outward sexual behavior. Read more about What is same-gender attraction?
What Can You Do About Same-Gender Attractions?
Articles
Overcoming Male Homosexual Problems by Jason Park, PhD
Click here to read it in text (html) format.
Click here to read (or print) it in Adobe Acrobat PDF format.
Books
 |
Resolving Homosexual Problems: A Guide for LDS Men by Jason Park. Written to Christian men who want to resolve their homosexual feelings. It provides practical solutions to resolve the personal problems they face. |
 |
Helping LDS Men Resolve their Homosexual Problems:
A Guide for Family, Friends, and Church Leaders by Jason Park. This
book gives family, friends, and priesthood leaders ideas on supporting
someone they love. |
 |
Understanding Male Homosexual Problems: An Introduction for Latter-day Saints by Jason Park. For a quick overview, get this 48-page booklet that summarizes the information from the other two books. |
Resources
Century Publishing. Publishes books on same-gender attraction and related issues. P O Box 11307, Salt Lake City, UT 84147, e-mail: info@centurypubl.com Internet: www.centurypubl.com
Courage An organization for Roman Catholics who wish to follow the teachings of the church about homosexuality. They offer support groups and counseling services. www.couragerc.net
Exodus International This network of interdenominational Christian ministries offers support to men and women seeking to overcome same-gender attraction. Exodus maintains a referral list of ministries, churches, and individuals. It also publishes a newsletter and sponsors conferences. Call or write for an introductory packet of information. P.O. Box 77652, Seattle, WA 98177-0652, phone 206/784–7799, http://www.exodus-international.org
Evergreen International This nonprofit organization provides direction and support to Latter-day Saint men and women who want to diminish their same-gender attraction and free themselves from homosexual behavior. It is also a resource to family and friends, professional counselors, religious leaders, and all others who wish to help individuals who desire to change. The organization refers people to affiliated support groups and therapists, publishes manuals and newsletters, sells books by mail, and sponsors conferences. Call or write for a list of publications or information on a support group near you. 307 West 200 South, Suite 4006, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101, phone 800/391-1000. www.evergreeninternational.org, e-mail: info@evergreeninternational.org.
Homosexuals Anonymous A nondenominational Christian organization that uses a modified twelve–step program modeled on that of Alcoholics Anonymous. The organization publishes a newsletter and other publications. P. O. Box 7881, Reading, PA 19603, phone 800/253-3000 or 610/376–1146.
International Healing Foundation A non-profit organization offering healing seminars, teleconferencing classes, speaking engagements, consultations, supervision, resource materials, and referral services. The director, Richard Cohen, M.A., is a prominent therapist in the field of sexual reorientation who has overcome same-gender attraction himself. P.O. Box 901 Bowie, MD 20718, phone: 301/805-6111, fax: 301/805-5155, www.gaytostraight.org, e-mail: IHF90@aol.com
Jews Offering New Alternatives to Homosexuality (JONAH) An umbrella organization for those of the Jewish faith which assists strugglers and concerned parents, spouses and friends. It seeks to educate the Jewish world that change from a homosexual to a heterosexual orientation is possible. P.O. Box 313, Jersey City, NJ 07303, phone: 201/433-3444, www.jonahweb.org
National Association of Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) An educational organization dedicated to the research, therapy and prevention of homosexuality. 16542 Ventura Blvd., Suite 416, Encino, CA 91436, phone 818/789–4440. Internet: www.narth.com
North Star A place of community for Latter-day Saints dealing with issues surrounding homosexual attraction who desire to live in harmony with the teachings of Jesus Christ and the values and doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. www.northstarlds.org
Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays (P-FOX) A Christian organization of parents, spouses, family members and friends concerned about their loved one's same-gender attraction. Affiliated with the Family Research Council. P.O. Box 561, Belvoir, VA 22060, phone: 703/360-2225, www.pfox.org
People Can Change A comprehensive Web site of invaluable information for people who want to overcome same-gender attraction. www.peoplecanchange.com
Same-Sex Attraction An extensive resource for people who experience unwanted same-sex attractions. Provides options to accepting a gay identity. www.samesexattraction.org
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