
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, March 2, 1991                   TAG: 9103040270
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-11   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

VERY HARD TO CHANGE SEXUAL ORIENTATION

ALBIN P. Crutchfield Jr. (letter, Feb. 15) is wrong. Sexual orientation is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to change.

Research in the 1960s and '70s on this subject involved both drug therapy and negative-reinforcement techniques. Findings showed that there was no change in sexual orientation, or that those who showed some change quickly reverted to previous behavior. Orientation is determined by particular chemical balances in the brain during development in the womb and shortly after birth. There may also be psychological factors after birth, but that has not been proven.

Society has chosen to ignore a psycho-physiological fact of life. I guess ignorance and bigotry are easier than spending the time to find the truth. ADAM D. SPERRY ROANOKE

by CNB