Madam, - I would like to point out, concerning Mr Tom Walsh's letter on "curing homosexuality" that when the "recent" report by Dr Robert Spitzer was presented to the American Psychiatric Association in 2001, he stated that such redirection of sexual orientation was possible only in some individuals, and in fact, subsequent research by a Chicago journalist into Dr Spitzer's report revealed that the majority of individuals involved in the therapeutic programme had achieved only a greater level of bisexuality.
Furthermore it has long been recognised that human sexuality has a significant and natural fluidity and, that throughout the course of an individual's sexual life sexual urges, not in accordance with their dominant orientation may be experienced.
The evidence for genetic and biological factors in the determination of sexual orientation is indeed lacking, but there is certainly solid foundation work that indicates such factors do indeed play a significant role.
I would argue, however, that questions and investigations to the end of seeking ways to redirect orientation like Dr Spitzer or determining "cause" at orientation are secondary.
The primary appropriate question must be whether, as a society, we can affirm and accept a significant minority, who, for whatever various reasons, enjoy and find fulfilment in sexual relationships with others of the same gender. I would hazard that many historical societies have already answered that. - Yours, etc.,
ROSS COYLE,
Glasnevin,
Dublin.