Is Change Possible And If So Where Is The Research?

Below is a summary of research and leading voices—particularly from the work published in the Journal of Human Sexuality (produced by The Alliance for Therapeutic Choice and Scientific Integrity)—that give hope to individuals who repent of homosexual behavior and are seeking to experience sexual orientation change toward a holy and heterosexual life in Jesus Christ. The following points reflect the viewpoint and findings reported by the Journal of Human Sexuality and related authors who emphasize the possibility of change. Note that research is sometimes clinical and not associated with Pastoral care or religious practices, unless otherwise specified, but we recommend well grounded compassionate pastoral care in all situations.

1) Historical and Contemporary Studies Indicating Change is Possible

• Early Meta-Analyses
– Clippinger (1974) surveyed 785 individuals who underwent therapy for unwanted homosexuality. Approximately 40% reported significant improvement toward heterosexuality or partial shifts in that direction.
– E. C. James (1978) reviewed multiple studies published before 1978. She concluded that about 35% of those seeking change reported shifting to heterosexual adaptation, 27% experienced partial improvement, and 37% saw no change. Though older, these meta-analyses remain frequently cited within the Journal of Human Sexuality to indicate that some individuals report meaningful degrees of change.

• Spitzer Study (2003)
– Psychiatrist Dr. Robert Spitzer published a controversial study in the Archives of Sexual Behavior with 200 participants who reported shifting from homosexual to heterosexual functioning. Many described a significant decrease in same-sex desires and an increase in opposite-sex attractions.
– While the study generated debate and Spitzer later expressed some personal regret about how it was used, it remains a key point of reference for those asserting that sexual orientation change is possible for some individuals.

• Jones and Yarhouse (2007, 2011)
– These Christian researchers conducted longitudinal studies on individuals pursuing “religiously mediated change” (often involving pastoral counseling or faith-based programs). They reported that some participants achieved notable shifts in their attractions and behaviors over time, while others reported more moderate changes or remained stable in a heterosexual marriage with reduced same-sex attraction.
– They also noted that some participants did not experience change; however, they emphasized that no large-scale “harm” was documented for those who voluntarily pursued change with professional or pastoral support.

• Whitehead and Whitehead (“My Genes Made Me Do It?”)
– In the Journal of Human Sexuality, references are often made to Neil and Briar Whitehead’s work, which critiques the “born that way” narrative. They highlight genetic and twin studies (e.g., Bailey & Pillard, Bearman & Bruckner) showing that identical twins do not inevitably share the same homosexual orientation. This undermines the claim of a strictly biological determinism and opens the door to the possibility of change—both spontaneous and intentional.

2) Leading Professional Voices Advocating for the Possibility of Change

• Alliance for Therapeutic Choice and Scientific Integrity (ATCSI), Editor and Board
– Formerly known as NARTH (National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality), this organization promotes exploration of sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE). Their Board of Directors includes mental health professionals who have penned articles on the fluidity of sexuality and the benefits (and ethics) of offering talk therapy for those seeking to reduce same-sex attractions. They have developed the SAFE-T model for therapy.

• Dr. Joseph Nicolosi
– A late founder of NARTH and a key proponent of reparative therapy. While his approach remains controversial in mainstream psychology, Nicolosi’s multiple publications documented case studies and clinical practices describing partial or substantial reductions in same-sex desire among motivated clients. I (Daren) have read his Shame And Attachment Loss book (recently banned in 2019 by Amazon) and found it very insightful, my wife even admitting my own lived experience was the textbook example documented.

• Dr. Dean Byrd
– Another author frequently cited in the Journal of Human Sexuality, promoting the idea that unwanted same-sex attractions can be addressed through therapy that integrates a client’s religious convictions. Byrd advocated an empathetic, non-coercive therapy model that respects self-determination.

• Dr. Christopher Rosik
– A psychologist and regular contributor to the Journal of Human Sexuality who has written about ethical principles in providing therapy to persons with unwanted same-sex attractions, and the importance of respecting a client’s faith-based goals.

3) Key Research Findings Supporting That Change Efforts Can Be Healthy

1. Sexual Orientation Can Be Fluid for Some
   – Both secular (e.g., Diamond, 2008) and faith-based researchers note that sexuality can shift over time due to various life events, personal decisions, or counseling interventions. The Journal of Human Sexuality underscores that individuals who are not exclusively homosexual or who experience some heterosexual inclinations may expand upon those inclinations with proper guidance and support. Visit https://bit.ly/LDExplains01 to view a quick video.
2. Therapy Approaches that Align with Faith Can Be Supportive
   – Studies collected in the Journal of Human Sexuality suggest that counseling that respects a client’s moral values and religious beliefs can yield positive mental health outcomes. Clients often report decreased depression and anxiety as they reconcile their faith with their goals for overcoming sinful behaviors (including homosexual behavior, from a Christian perspective).
3. Empirical Evidence of Improved Heterosexual Functioning
   – Both anecdotal testimonies and some formal research indicate that a subset of highly motivated individuals report developing functional heterosexual relationships, sometimes including marriage and children. Improvements vary widely but can include reduced same-sex fantasies, increased opposite-sex attractions, and enhanced overall well-being.
4. Importance of Professional and Pastoral Care
   – The Journal of Human Sexuality consistently emphasizes that an integrated approach—therapy plus spiritual discipleship—tends to offer the best results. Pastoral or church-based support provides prayer, accountability, and teaching on repentance, while therapy addresses underlying emotional wounds or distorted thought patterns.
5. Lack of Evidence for Widespread Harm among Voluntary Seekers
   – Proponents in the Journal of Human Sexuality debate claims that all SOCE is universally harmful. While acknowledging that poorly conducted interventions can be detrimental, these authors maintain that many clients who voluntarily seek change and work with ethical, compassionate therapists do not consistently report negative outcomes.

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Concluding Thoughts
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From a Christian worldview perspective these findings are interpreted through the lens that with God’s power, genuine transformation is possible. The Journal of Human Sexuality points to historical and contemporary studies, personal testimonies, and certain twin/biological research as evidence that sexual orientation is neither fully fixed nor purely genetic. They argue that real people have experienced shifts in their attractions, supported by pastoral care, discipleship, and (in some cases) appropriate therapeutic interventions.

Practical Takeaways:
• Seek a biblically grounded pastor or counselor who respects your faith and desire to leave homosexuality and believes in sanctifying power of God to change us.
• Combine prayer, discipleship, and trauma-informed counseling if needed.
• Understand that reported outcomes vary—some see significant change, some modest change—and success can include deeper spiritual peace, lessening of same-sex fantasies, and/or growth in heterosexual desire.

While you will find debate in the larger mental health community, the Journal of Human Sexuality’s perspective is that clinically guided, faith-affirming help can be beneficial and, for some, transformative. If you believe God is calling you to this path, these resources may encourage you as you seek to live in obedience to Christ.

Who can I talk to about leaving LGBT to follow Jesus?

Here are a few suggestions for who you can reach out to when seeking to leave a gay lifestyle and follow Jesus:

1. A Biblically Faithful Pastor:
   • Begin with a pastor at a local, Bible-teaching church. An evangelical pastor can walk with you through Scripture, prayer, and mentorship, offering spiritual guidance rooted in God’s Word.
   • Many pastors have counseled people through similar journeys and can connect you with supportive groups or individuals in the church.
   • Contact the Daren, Nate, or Gracie who themselves have walked out of homosexuality and are part of the Agape Staff and are faithful to Jesus and can provide you support.
2. Christian Counselors or Therapists Affiliated with The Alliance:
   • Look for counselors who understand the Christian worldview and are aligned with The Alliance for Therapeutic Choice and Scientific Integrity (often associated with the Journal of Human Sexuality).
   • These counselors can help address the emotional struggles and past wounds that sometimes contribute to same-sex desires, while also respecting your faith convictions. Therapy by itself does not transform your heart, but it can be a helpful tool when combined with prayer and pastoral discipleship.
3. Ex-LGBT or “Former Homosexual” Ministries and Networks:
   • Ministries such as Restored Hope Network or Voice of the Voiceless connect you with men and women who have come out of gay lifestyles to follow Jesus. Through their events and online resources, you can find testimonies and supportive mentoring relationships.
   • These organizations typically offer referrals to local support groups, prayer groups, and biblically based recovery programs.
4. Small Groups or Discipleship Ministries at Church:
   • Many churches host discipleship groups or Bible studies that provide accountability, friendships, and prayer support. Being part of a close-knit group that genuinely cares for you and upholds biblical truth can be essential.
   • Honest relationships within the church family can encourage you when you face temptations or doubt.
5. Prayerful, Trusted Friends and Mentors:
   • Seek out spiritually mature friends who love Jesus, stand by biblical convictions, and will lift you up in prayer.
   • Scripture reminds us to “bear one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). Having godly companions who regularly check in and pray for you can help you persevere.

In the end, the most important thing is walking closely with Jesus in a faithful community. Combine pastoral support, counseling (if needed), and fellowship with a consistent habit of prayer, Scripture meditation, and worship. Through His Word and Spirit, Christ renews the mind and heart. You are not alone—even when the journey feels challenging, remember that genuine help is available from believers who will walk beside you, encourage you, and remind you of the hope we have in the Lord.

Is There Hope For Being Free of Homosexual Desires?

I’m grateful you asked this question. From a Christian perspective—and in alignment with the research published in the Journal of Human Sexuality—there is deep hope and assurance that lasting freedom from homosexual desires is indeed possible in Christ. Below are some points that people in our ministry community have found helpful in pursuing that freedom.

1. Begin with a Biblical Framework of Hope
   • 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 describes a number of sins (including homosexual behavior) and then states, “such were some of you.” This teaches that through Christ’s sanctifying power, people are genuinely changed from who they once were.
   • Romans 8:1–2 reminds us there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ and that Jesus “has set you free from the law of sin and death.” If He frees us from sin, it means we truly can walk in newness of life, including renewed desires and a renewed mind.
2. Recognize That Sanctification is a Process
   • Freedom from homosexual desires or any other deeply rooted sin pattern is typically not instantaneous. Instead, it often follows a journey of ongoing repentance and faith, aligned with Scripture.
   • Romans 12:1–2 highlights the renewing of our minds. It shows that spiritual transformation requires active, daily turning away from sinful desires and turning toward God’s truth.
3. Seek Pastoral Support and Discipleship
   • The Journal of Human Sexuality strongly emphasizes the importance of spiritual and pastoral care. While professional therapy may address traumas or struggles in thought patterns, discipleship brings Scripture, prayer, and accountability into the process.
   • Hebrews 10:24–25 instructs believers not to forsake meeting together but to encourage one another. Having a spiritual mentor or pastoral counselor who is faithful to Scripture can provide insight and encouragement when facing temptations or discouragement.
4. Consider Therapeutic Help as a Tool (Not a Substitute)
   • Many Christian professionals and ministries affiliated with The Alliance (The Alliance for Therapeutic Choice and Scientific Integrity) acknowledge the role of therapy as a supplement to spiritual care. Certain modalities can be effective for uncovering and addressing trauma, incorrect beliefs about oneself, or underlying emotional wounds.
   • Therapy alone does not transform the heart; that is a work of the Holy Spirit. But counseling or therapy that respects Christian convictions, combined with regular prayer, Bible study, and church community support, can help you gain insights into unmet emotional needs and false beliefs that may have contributed to sexual confusion.
5. Cultivate a Lifestyle of Prayer, Worship, and Fellowship
   • Regular personal prayer and study of Scripture invite God to “search me, O God, and know my heart” (Psalm 139:23). This process helps uncover unhelpful thought patterns and invites the Holy Spirit’s transforming power.
   • Engaging with a healthy church community provides accountability and fellowship. Brothers and sisters in Christ can both encourage you and gently correct you when you struggle or stumble.
6. Understand Identity in Christ
   • A major step toward freedom is seeing yourself as God’s redeemed child, not as someone permanently labeled by an old desire or identity.
   • Galatians 2:20 reminds us that as believers, our identity is in Christ, and we live by faith in Him.
7. Be Patient and Do Not Lose Heart
   • Remember that everyone’s journey is unique; some experience significant change in desires within a shorter period, while others find it a longer road. Both paths reflect God’s ongoing sanctifying work.
   • Or Christian faith reminds us that sanctification involves a continual and irreconcilable war between the flesh and the Spirit. But Scripture assures us that the one who began a good work in us “will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

Practical Steps You Could Take Right Away:

1. Talk with a biblically grounded pastor, counselor, or ministry leader about your struggles and spiritual goals.
2. Join a small group or Bible study that focuses on discipleship and accountability.
3. Explore resources from ministries that uphold a biblical view of sexuality and encourage transformation—such as The Alliance (publishers of the Journal of Human Sexuality) or a local church-based program committed to biblical counseling.
4. Develop a daily habit of Scripture meditation, worship, and prayer. Begin, for example, with Romans 6–8, meditating on the themes of dying to sin and living in the Spirit.

In Summary:
Yes, there is genuine hope for freedom from homosexual desires. It is found chiefly in the transforming work of Jesus Christ—through the power of the Holy Spirit—and supported by faithful discipleship, pastoral care, and therapeutic help that respects a Christian worldview. While the journey involves active participation on your part—intentional steps of surrender, prayer, and using tools like therapy for emotional wounds—Scripture assures us that real change is possible. “Such were some of you,” but in Christ we can indeed experience a new identity and a renewed mind.

I pray you find encouragement in these truths and discover the grace and strength of Jesus day by day. And as always, consider seeking a trusted, biblically faithful community where you can be supported and discipled in your journey toward Christ-centered wholeness and freedom.