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

DATE: THURSDAY, March 14, 1991                   TAG: 9103140410
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

THERE IS EVIDENCE GAYS CAN CHANGE

I DON'T BLAME Adam Sperry (letter, March 2) for assuming that my Feb. 15 letter, "Many experts say homosexual can be changed," was based on "ignorance and bigotry" rather than "spending the time to find the truth." The truth is that the editors of this page deleted the heart of my original letter, which quoted three reputable psychiatrists who have had dramatic success in seeing homosexuals become permanently heterosexual.

This omission made my statements appear to be based only on my personal opinion. In fact, Dr. Reuben Fine, director of the New York Center for Psychoanalytic Training, wrote: "If the patient is motivated, whatever procedure is adopted, a large percentage will give up their homosexuality."

Dr. Fine wrote this after an exhaustive review of results of psychotherapy with homosexuals dating from the 1890s to 1987. I have discovered 25 highly reputable psychologists, psychiatrists, psychoanalysts and licensed family counselors who testify that many of their homosexual patients have become heterosexual after treatment and/or counseling.

I have no hard feelings toward Adam. I do wonder, however, what evidence supports his statement that "orientation is determined by particular chemical balances in the brain during development in the womb and shortly after birth." At best, this seems a very fuzzy statement, impossible to prove.

I don't dislike Susan Lowe (letter, March 2) or hate homosexuals in general. I sincerely want them to know there are professionals like Dr. Fine, who said in 1987: "The misinformation spread by certain circles that homosexuality is untreatable does incalculable harm to thousands of men and women" (Male and Female Homosexuality: Psychological Approaches, 1987, pp. 85, 86). I just want those who desire to change to know there is hope and documented evidence that permanent change is possible. ALBIN P. CRUTCHFIELD JR. ROANOKE

by CNB