How to change orientation

The question of whether it is possible to change sexual orientation at all is very, very ambiguous. It cannot be argued that a person cannot change sexual orientation, but it is also wrong to think that anyone can do it. The possibility or impossibility of changing one’s orientation depends on many factors: the reasons for the appearance of the orientation, the type of non-traditional orientation (bi- or homosexuality), the desire or unwillingness of the person himself to change his orientation. And here it should be noted that one desire of a person to change his orientation is far from enough.
For example, many women are annoyed that their husbands look not only at them, but also at other women. And if the wife blames her husband for this, he will answer: «I have nothing to do with it, this is male nature, and I cannot do anything about it.» Or he can pretend to her that he does not look at other women — but nothing more. Now, this is what is called «nature» or attraction.

Speaking of sexual and emotional attraction, it is usually divided into natural and unnatural. Orientation can also be divided into traditional («normal») and non-traditional. However, not everything is as simple as it seems at first glance. For example, what orientation can bisexuality be attributed to: traditional or non-traditional? So, the founder of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, argued that all people are born with congenital bisexuality. And only in the process of development does a person become monosexual.
We can say that a person with a bisexual orientation is «luckier» than a homosexual. After all, he has the opportunity to enter into a relationship with a partner of the opposite sex, and at the same time not go against his nature. Although this will not mean that bisexual orientation will change to heterosexual. This would mean prioritizing relationships with a partner of the opposite sex.

Before trying to change a homosexual orientation, you need to understand the causes of its occurrence: genetic predisposition, upbringing, psychological trauma, or even all together. In the case of acquired homosexuality, a non-traditional orientation may be a consequence of being raised as a child of the opposite sex, the child’s prolonged exposure to people of the opposite sex, various psychological traumas, and other factors. In the case of congenital homosexuality, the child may feel like a person of the opposite sex, and according to the results of some studies, often in the blood of such children there is an increased content of hormones of the opposite sex. By the way, science cannot yet give an exact explanation of the cause of congenital homosexuality. And most psychotherapists and sexologists say that it is impossible to cure congenital homosexuality. Unless, of course, we consider non-traditional sexuality a disease, and not an individual feature of a person.

Indeed, there are cases of changing sexual orientation with the help of psychotherapy. True, there is no unambiguous opinion about the change of orientation with the help of psychotherapy. In any case, opponents of conversion (reparative) therapy consider it very doubtful and even dangerous for the psyche. In fact, these are methods of reprogramming the human brain, and how ethical this is is a very controversial issue. Considering that in the past, methods of reparative therapy used methods such as electroconvulsive therapy (electroshock) and aversive therapy, which used the induction of nausea and vomiting with medications while demonstrating homoerotic materials to the patient.

In general, opinions about changing sexual orientation depend mainly on attitudes towards it. Some time ago, homosexuality was considered a disease that psychiatrists should treat. Nowadays, non-traditional sexuality is no longer considered a mental disorder. Proponents of conversion psychotherapy consider it a psychological disorder that (again) needs to be corrected, and many religious people consider it a sin that needs to be combated. Not to mention homophobes, in which the fear of otherness speaks. At the same time, many psychotherapists, sexologists and scientists consider homosexuality to be nothing more than one of the directions of sexuality. Therefore, a gay affirmative approach is gaining more and more support, aimed at accepting one’s sexuality, finding inner balance and harmony. «Remember: it doesn’t matter what your sexual orientation is, the main thing is that it suits you» (Louise Hay).