ABSTRACT
Despite attempts to ‘cure’ homosexuality being reported in the scientific literature, even comparatively recently by methods such as psychosurgery on two gay men (Schmidt and Schorsch 1981) and by hypnotherapy on a young lesbian (Roden 1983), these are now exceptions and the last two decades have witnessed a shift in the attitudes of psychotherapists towards an affirmative view of homosexuality. In part, this shift reflects the failure of the medical model as a result of its simplicity (Gonsoriek 1977; 1985), the lack of success in attempts at ‘cure’ (Coleman 1978) and the questionable ethics involved (Symposium on Homosexuality and the Ethics of Behavioural Intervention 1977). This shift also reflects the modest changes in legislation, social attitudes and awareness over this time.
