[Sample of statements taken from various authors in the publication.]

"Spitzer's findings are consistent with the idea that some people do change their sexual orientation in some respects during the course of their lives, but his findings do not justify the existence of 'reparative therapy'." Bancroft (p. 421)

"Spitzer's data are important, however, in that they demonstrate that a subset of same-sex attracted individuals can adapt successfully to live in a heterosexual relationship. A more accurate interpretation of his results would suggest, however, that only a rare proportion of same-sex attracted individuals can find ways to live satisfactorily in a heterosexual relationship." Beckstead (p. 423)

"Indeed, Spitzer provides evidence that some gay men and lesbians are not only able to change self-identity, but are able to modify core featues of sexual orientation, including fantasies." Byrd (p. 424)

"In conclusion, even the limited hypothesis that some individuals whose orientatio is predominantly homosexual can become predominantly heterosexual following reparative therapy is not supported by this study. It may be possible that some of the research participants might have a more fluid sexual orientation, such as bisexuality" Carlson, (p. 427)

"As scientists, we must disbelieve Spitzer's data because they are so compromised by subject selection bias as to raise serious objections to any claims Spitzer might make about their meaning and generalizability." Cohen (p. 429)

"Studies such as Spitzer's provide valuable information about how individuals with stigmatized experiences actively manage those experiences, in concert with their own narratives of adjustment, coping, and personal growth. In the final analysis, however, such studies have little to tell us about 'change in sexual orientation' or even 'change in sexual desire.'" Diamond (p. 430)

"It is clear from the Spitzer study that some persons who have long (and perhaps exclusive) histories of sex with same gender partners move, often with religious and other 'therapeutic' supports, to lives in which they have sex with persons of the other gender." Gagnon (p. 436)

"Spitzer's article, for all its dignified-looking data, scientific journal format, and partial disclaimers, is in essence irresponsible and unscientific. It does not constitute scientific evidence that gayness can be changed." Hartmann (p. 438)

"Spitzer's study is methodologically flawed and disturbingly silent about ethic concerns. It is disappointing that the Archives elected to publish it." Herek (p. 439)

"The orderly, law-like pattern of changes in homosexual sexual behavior, homosexual self-identification, and homosexual attraction and fantasy observed in Spitzer's study is strong evidence that reparative theory can assist in individuals in changing their homosexual orientation to a heterosexual orientation." Hershberger (p. 440)

"The only conclusion that is indisputable in Spitzer's study is that he has identified a subset of lesbians and gay men (who in fact may actually be more appropriately considered bisexual) who claim to have changed their overt sexual behavior; the nature of the change, and the process through which it occurred, has not been convincingly established." Hill (p. 442)

"Spitzer presents face valid evidence that changes in homosexual behavior and feelings of desire and satisfaction can be achieved by some, to varying degrees, via 'reparative therapy'." Klein (p. 442)

"I think that Spitzer has made a substantial contribution, given limited resources, and would hope that more funding for the study of therapies involving not only the change and control of unwanted sexual behavior, but its origins and development, will become available." Krueger (p. 444)

"I am very grateful to Spitzer for giving a voice to ex-gays." Nicolosi (p. 446)

"Spitzer's assertion that his study is a significant improvement over previous research in this area is correct." Rind (p. 447)

"The distinguishing feature of Spitzer's research is not the finding that changes occur, but the argument that they reflect changes in core sexual orientation" Rust (p. 450)

"Although Spitzer made some laudable methodological improvements in his approach to an important research question, the design of his survey does not really put it into the category of 'scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of reparative therapy' for which so many seem to be looking." Strassberg (p. 452)

"Although I do not question Spitzer's science, there is a glaring oversight in his article: a failure to examine the ethical and philosophical underpinnings of sexual orientation modification (SOM)." Tye (p. 452)

"Spitzer's study demonstrates individuals can choose to foster their latent heterosexual tendencies while repressing their overt homosexual tendencies. It does not provide evidence that individuals choose or learn to be homosexual." Vasey (p. 454)

"We are troubled by the publication of work filled with scientific flaws that disregards harm and conveys a number of false impressions." Wainberg et al. (p. 456)

"The current scientific context contains explicit or implicit universal claims that sexual reorientation therapy is unhelpful and/or harmful. Spitzer's study offers prima facie exceptions that cast doubt on these generalizations; thus, it is scientifically useful." Wakefield (p. 458)

"From this analysis, I believe that the only valid conclusion we can draw from Spitzer's data is that it is possible to locate 200 individuals who are motivated to retrospectively report changes in their sexual functioning as a means of promoting the use of sexual reorientation therapies." Worthington (p. 461)

"Spitzer’s study is not a treatment efficacy study, and scientists should not criticize it for failing to provide evidence for that which it was never designed." Yarhouse (p. 462, 463)

. . .