The Southern African Sexual Health Association (SASHA) takes the position that people of all genders, sexual identities and orientations are valid and should receive equal care and opportunities. SASHA believes same sex orientation is not a mental disorder and we oppose any “reparative” or conversion therapy that seeks to “change” or “fix” a person’s sexual orientation.
The rationale behind this position
is the following:
- Reparative therapy (for minors, in particular) is often forced or nonconsensual
- Reparative therapy has been proven harmful
- There is no scientific evidence supporting the success of these interventions
- Reparative therapy is grounded in the idea that non-heterosexual orientation is a “disorder”
- Reparative therapy has been shown to be a negative predictor of psychotherapeutic benefit
We define reparative or conversion therapy as:
- services or interventions purporting to “cure” any orientation that is non-heterosexual
- services that seek to change non-heterosexual orientation because of the assumption that homosexuality is a mental disorder
Our position is consistent with our professional colleagues, including but not limited to:
- The American Association of Sexuality Educators,
- Councelors and Therapists,
- The American Medical Association,
- The American Psychological Association
- The World Health Organization
- The World Association of Sexual Health
- The International Society for Sexual Medicine
- The American Psychoanalytic Association
- The American Counseling Association
- The National Association of Social Workers (USA)
- The American Academy of Pediatrics
- The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
- The American School Counselor Association
- The Pan American Health Organization
- The School Social Work Association of America
- The American School Health Association
- The American Association of School Administrators
- The American Federation of Teachers
Interested in becoming a member?
Apply for membership today. All you need to do is fill in an online form. Our Membership Committee will review your application and get back to you shortly regarding the result of your application.
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