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Evergreen Response to APA Report

August 10, 2009

In light of the recent report titled "Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation" from the Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues to the American Psychological Association at their annual convention, Evergreen International reiterates its unwavering commitment to the doctrines and standards of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

We appreciate the report’s recognition of the centrality of religious faith in the lives of many individuals who may seek psychological care. Evergreen International urges counseling professionals to support Latter-day Saints who believe that sexual behavior is to be reserved for a marital relationship between one man and one woman, and understand that a foundational principle of Church doctrine is the belief that it is the responsibility and opportunity of every person to grow and change throughout their lifetime to become more like the Savior in every aspect of their being.

Evergreen International continues to teach this essential doctrine of growth and change, so we note with interest the study “Ex Gays? An Extended Longitudinal Study of Attempted Religiously Mediated Change in Sexual Orientation” released at a symposium at the same meeting of the American Psychological Association by psychologists Stanton L. Jones and Mark A. Yarhouse showing that sexual orientation change is not only possible, but sustainable.