BMJ  2004;328 (21 February), doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7437.0

Treatment to change sexual orientation did not benefit patients...

Homosexuality was considered a disease until the 1970s, and gay people were often coerced to undergo medical treatment. This resulted in more social isolation and shame, and provided no benefit. Smith and colleagues interviewed 31 patients (p 427) who had had treatment for same sex attraction, or their relatives. The most common treatments were behavioural aversion therapy with electric shocks, oestrogen therapy, religious counselling, electroconvulsive therapy, and psychoanalysis, but these had no beneficial effect. When homosexuality gained wider acceptance, these patients were able to explore their sexuality, and several found fulfilling, same sex relationships.

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Relevant Article

Treatments of homosexuality in Britain since the 1950s—an oral history: the experience of patients

Glenn Smith, Annie Bartlett, and Michael King
BMJ 2004 328: 427. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]