Interventions

The group should exist to assist those who sincerely desire to make a transition from homosexual behavior or same-sex desires. Everyone should be striving to gain greater spiritual strength and a better understanding of themselves. Each participant should be willing to work for his/her own development and support the growth of others in the group. To be successful, you must be rigorously honest.

The advisor or group leader should intervene if:

• A participant is having sexual contact with another participant in the group.
• There is a serious breach of confidentiality.
• There is an occasion where a participant is ridiculed or rejected.
• An individual is verbally disruptive or physically confrontational with other participants.
• An individual seems unwilling or unable to progress.

The primary responsibility to resolve any problem lies with the individual, but if this person is not able to be honest with him or herself, the advisor has a responsibility to confront him/her in a loving way. If the interview shows the problem to be serious enough, or when the group is in danger, the advisor must act in the best interest of everyone involved. If problems cannot be resolved in the confidential interview process, the group leadership and advisor may need to ask an individual to leave the group for a time and require them to seek professional counseling (if they are not presently seeing a therapist).

Some indications that you may have a serious problem are:

1. Predatory behavior. An individual may be so needy or aggressive in getting his/her needs met that sexual acting out or other behavior is damaging to fellow participants.
2. Addictive behaviors. Homosexual behavior can become an addiction requiring therapy and years of long, hard work.
3. On-going sexual relations. Sexualizing same-gender relationships undermines appropriate love, trust, and spirituality. While random and occasional acting out is a problem, an on-going relationship demonstrates that the individual is not ready to join a committed group process.
4. Confrontational attitudes. A member who is physically abusive or verbally disruptive causes contention and can make the group an unstable and dangerous environment.
    

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