Definition

Sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) are efforts to change the sexual orientation of a person from homosexual or bisexual to heterosexual through therapy or other treatments. SOCE does not refer to those undergoing gender reassignment therapy or treatment. SOCE also does not refer to those people with paraphilia (those with atypical or extreme sexual behavior e.g. paedophilia); this group of people require specific advice, therapy and treatment that are not covered by this statement. Evidence The American Psychological Association published a report of a study that reviewed the results of 83 studies carried out between 1960 and 2007 on the controversial concept of SOCE [1]. The report found that, contrary to the claims of SOCE practitioners and advocates, recent research demonstrates that there is no sound scientific evidence that sexual orientation can be changed. The harm such therapies can cause to individuals, the contribution they make to the misrepresentation of homosexuality as a mental disorder, and the prejudice and discrimination that can flourish through the use of such therapies has led all major medical organisations to oppose the use of sexual reorientation therapies. In 1973 the American Psychiatric Association concluded there was no scientific evidence tha