May 24, 2012PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- An Oregon man is the subject of a complaint to the American Psychological Association over his claims a psychiatrist tried controversial "conversion therapy" to convince him he was not gay.
The Southern Poverty Law Center filed the complaint on behalf of 22-year-old Max Hirsh. The center plans to take the same action in other states.
The center blacked out the doctor's name in a copy of the complaint supplied to journalists, and Hirsh and his lawyer would not identify the doctor. Christine Sun, the law center's deputy legal director, said the psychological associations require confidentiality when investigating complaints.
The American Psychological Association says mental health professionals should not tell gay clients they can become straight because there is no solid proof that such a change is likely.
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