Thomas Pritt - Homosexuality Reframed: Growth Beyond Gay

Praise for Homosexuality Reframed

With courage, insight, and empathy, Dr. Pritt has written a book that America very much needs at this moment of confusion about human sexuality. Sharing lessons which he learned with great difficulty while growing up gay and which he has since amplified through his extensive clinical work as a psychologist, Dr. Pritt challenges the premises of the ideology gay activists are now aggressively advancing. As he probes the psychodynamics that generate homosexuality, readers learn why some boys who were never born gay become such. Dr. Pritt also challenges the thinking of those who see only destructive perversion in homosexuals same-sex attraction. Proper understanding of such attraction, he shows, may actually guide the gay person toward a better life a life beyond homosexuality. Informed by profound religious faith, the deep personal commitment and exceptional professional sophistication of this analysis make it very compelling, deserving of widespread attention.

BRYCE CHRISTENSEN, AUTHOR OF UTOPIA AGAINST THE FAMILY:
THE PROBLEMS AND POLITICS OF THE AMERICAN FAMILY. CONTRIBUTING EDITOR TO THE FAMILY IN AMERICA. EDITOR OF MULTIPLE BOOKS ON THE FAMILY.

This treatise is a worthwhile addition to the literature on LGBTQ issues. Its thesis is contrary to much of the modern trend, but it is a refreshing perspective and one that will appeal very much to some people and be infuriating to others. It is important that this perspective be recognized as a valuable option in a turbulent political and social scene. Its worth is accentuated by the fact that he actually lived the path that he describes. It will and should have an important impact and deserves a wide audience who will benefit from it.

ALLEN BERGIN, RECIPIENT OF THE DISTINGUISHED PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTION TO KNOWLEDGE AWARD FROM THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION. AUTHOR OF MANY PROFESSIONAL WORKS. COAUTHOR OF THE HANDBOOK OF PSYCHOTHERAPY AND BEHAVIOR CHANGE.

Dr. Pritt writes with the authenticity of personal experience and authority from a long successful practice as a psychotherapist. He is candid about his own spiritual and sexual journey, without being dogmatic. He approaches his writing with both love and understanding.

This is a bold book, flying in the face of much that we hear in the media about LGBTQ issues. His point of view should be part of the conversation, both within our society and within the hearts of suffering individuals.

ERIC G. SWEDIN, PHD, PROFESSOR OF HISTORY, WEBER STATE UNIVERSITY, AUTHOR, WHEN ANGELS WEPT: A WHAT-IF HISTORY OF THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS, WINNER OF THE 2010 SIDEWISE AWARD.

Homosexuality Reframed: Growth Beyond Gay

Copyright 2019 by Thomas E. Pritt

All rights reserved, including the authors right to reproduce this book or any portions thereof in any form.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without prior written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.

Queries regarding permissions should be directed to the authors.

This text is available in hard and soft cover, eBook and audio format.

To order books and/or electronic media, contact the authors:

www.waybeyondgay.org

Proceeds from this book are dedicated to worldwide humanitarian relief.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020900869

ISBN: 978-1-7343410-0-3 (Hardcover)

978-1-7343410-1-0 (Softcover)

978-1-7343410-2-7 (eBook)

978-1-7343410-3-4 (audio book)

Association for Personal Development, Publisher

Printed in the United States of America.

Publishers Cataloging-In-Publication Data

(Prepared by The Donohue Group, Inc.)

Names: Pritt, Thomas, author. | Pritt, Ann, author.

Title: Homosexuality reframed : growth beyond gay / Thomas Pritt, PhD, with Ann Pritt, PhD.

Description: Salt Lake City, Utah : Association for Personal Development, [2020] | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: ISBN 9781734341003 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781734341010 (softcover) | ISBN 9781734341027 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Pritt, Thomas--Sexual behavior. | Homosexuality--Psychological aspects. | Homosexuality--Religious aspects--Christianity. | Sexual reorientation programs. | Nature and nurture. | Gay rights--History.

Classification: LCC HQ76. 25 .P75 BR115. H6 (print) | LCC HQ76. 25 BR115. H6 (ebook) | DDC 306. 766--dc23

This book is dedicated to
all brave souls, straight and gay, who
continue course corrections
throughout life.

INTRODUCTION

W HAT DOES A MAN NEED most in life? It has been said that Happy is the man who has found his work, his woman, and his worship. Such fortunate men have found happiness in lifes endeavors, bound themselves and found fulfillment with a spouse arguably, the most important of human relationships and anchored their lives to the divine. While I am such a man and have been blessed to know this as my secure reality for years, such has not always been the case. I grew up gay.

I am not the same person now that I was many years ago. Considering the past, my experiences echo the words of Oliver, one of the characters in Shakespeares play As You Like It. He said: Twas I; but tis not I: I do not shame to tell you what I was, since my conversion so sweetly tastes, being the thing I am. Now, as a redirected life should show, there is a new story.

Born in the mid-1930s, I was introduced to same-gender sexuality while very young. Although early on I felt it was wrong and sensed it was generally frowned upon by society, these furtive relationships were in the background of the way I experienced life for years. I first encountered the metropolitan gay scene in the early 1950s in Washington, DC, more than two-thirds of a century ago. I attempted to live the script it seemed life had handed me until events transpired that required my finding a different path. After experiencing an epiphany, I did an about-face and pursued a different course that has led me to greater peace and a more fulfilling life.

My message is to all who wish additional understanding regarding this topic, but it is especially for those men who wish to grow beyond homosexuality. Should my candor help any to better utilize the draws that come so naturally to them and thereby more competently pursue their own growth, my goals will have been met.

Some adapt easily to the attractions they feel for others of their own gender and ultimately live a homosexual lifestyle, but many do not. Despite growing social tolerance, when men are recognized as having homosexual tendencies, many still feel discriminated against and ostracized. Many suffer extreme anguish upon recognizing their homosexual inclinations. Emotional distress related to psychosexual inversion can be a heavy burden, often a sore thorn endured throughout life. Too many young people feel beaten from the start, unable to deny their urges for same-gender unions while faced with demands that they not be or feel that way. Aware of societys pervasive anti-gay sentiment or unable to resolve conflict with their own values, too many are pushed to what they view as their only resolution suicide.