Regarding my ‘assumptions’. You’re raised similar questions challenging SIT before and Warren and others have made it quite clear that is for people who find themselves conflicted–so, yes, I’m assuming you know that it isn’t for ‘happy gay people’. Some time back, I seem to recall that you said you followed the links to the SIT framework, etc. and read them. So, again, I assumed that you knew the framework never called it a ‘disease’. If that’s making assumptions, I’ll gladly ‘own it’.

Regarding my challenge to read past blogs and to google the definitions. I do apologize for a slightly snarky tone when writing that but, seriously, a number of us have been discussing these terms off and on for months…you included. We’ve actually been having some genuine communication while you’re somehow stuck on Chapter 1. That’s why I’m suggesting you google your way to the clinical definitions. (I tried it myself before suggesting it to you the first time! Your answers actually come up in the first page of results. I was ‘there’ in less than 5 minutes and I rarely google.)

BTW: when searching for two or more words that you want to find as a pair or group always put quotes around the set i.e. “sexual identity” or “gender identity”; that’ll focus your results. (LOL! I want to ASSUME that you know that already but couldn’t take the chance that you didn’t. I wish I knew how to link but, alas, I barely know how to follow links.)

Another BTW: these two terms are NOT like ‘ex-gay’; these terms originated in the psychological community not a church or ministry and have definitions that are a bit more precise albeit wordier.

Jayhuck,

I think your statement above is the perfect answer.

And you never answered my question regarding neutrality!

To be honest, I did not know that – but thanks for making a whole lot of assumptions.

Instead of me spending hours and hours researching this topic, is there anyone who can give me – besides Eddy – a very brief definition of Sexual Identity and Gender Identification. If these terms are anything like Ex-Gay, Everyone is probably going to have their own definition anyway.

Yeah, Jayhuck, we’re not suggesting required SIT therapy for happy gay people. But you know that. Nowhere in the SIT framework is homosexuality ever called a ‘disease’. But you know that as well.

I think you and I agree here, but we are only talking about neutrality regarding those people who might have a problem with their religion and their orientation, right? I think we’d have to agree that therapy for gay people outside of this would have to assume that gay people are happy, and operate from the reality that it is not a disease!

What in the world is “gender identification”? I ask that only because so much of what we associate with gender is actually socialized. I really don’t understand what you mean by that. Any clarification you can give would definitely be appreciated 😉

LOL. One of my ‘large family dysfunctions’ is feeling guilty when I feel I’ve talked too much…but, other times, I know I can’t really say what I want without elaborating. Sometimes, here, I worry that my words will be misconstrued or taken out of context…and it only makes me get wordier. I swear I wrestle with these communication issues MORE than I wrestle with anything else in my life. Currently, communicating effectively and losing weight are THE major issues in my life. Seems I’m making a bit of progress in both areas.

I don’t believe that SIT needs to be exclusive to people with religious conflicts regarding homosexuality but I concede that there would likely be a higher percentage from this group.

Even believing as I do, I don’t want to be restricted to a minister or ex-gay organization for my support or therapy when needed. Neutrality is my chief reason. I don’t want someone judging me for considering the possibility that I might be wrong in my beliefs. Neither do I want someone ‘pushing’ the opposing beliefs on me. I see tremendous therapeutic value in neutrality.

I also see tremendous value in being able to discuss related issues without ‘walking on eggs’ and ‘tripping the buttons’ of my therapist.

I’ve mentioned before that I have six brothers. We are all short but I am the ‘runt of the litter’. I envision a minister or ex-gay program weaving connections between that and my homosexuality that may or may not exist. I honestly believe I’d waste far less time with a professional (and neutral) therapist. We’d likely spend more time discussing family dynamics–and how to survive them–than on how these relationships may have helped foster a gay identity. LOL! Perhaps that’s why I’m always trying to ‘cut through the bull’ and ‘stay on track’. I don’t want the easy to spout off pat answers and retorts…I’ve had plenty of those. I want to look BEYOND those and see what there is to learn both about myself and the world around me.