Robert L. Spitzer's Research on Homosexuality

Robert L. Spitzer was a psychiatrist known for his research on homosexuality, particularly in the 1970s. He conducted studies exploring whether homosexual individuals could change their sexual orientation through therapy. His most controversial work suggested that some gay people could achieve heterosexual attractions, challenging the view that homosexuality was a fixed trait. However, later assessments of his research raised ethical concerns and questioned its scientific validity. Spitzer's work significantly influenced debates on sexual orientation, but today, the consensus among mental health professionals is that sexual orientation is a complex, inherent aspect of identity that typically does not require "conversion."