Positive Alternatives to Homosexuality (PATH) is a coalition of groups that want to help "people with unwanted same-sex attraction

Same-sex attraction

Same-sex attraction is a term occasionally used instead of the more common term homosexuality to refer to a person's feelings of sexual attraction toward members of the same gender identity....

s (SSA) realize their personal goals for change -- whether by developing their innate heterosexual potential or by embracing a lifestyle as a single, non-sexually active man or woman." The predominantly ex-gay

Ex-gay

The ex-gay movement consists of people and organizations that seek to get people to refrain from entering or pursuing same-sex relationships, to eliminate homosexual desires, to develop heterosexual desires, or to enter into a heterosexual relationship...

 groups propagate the "right to decide whether to seek counseling or therapy" and abstinence

Abstinence

Abstinence is a voluntary restraint from indulging in bodily activities that are widely experienced as giving pleasure. Most frequently, the term refers to sexual abstinence, or abstention from alcohol or food. The practice can arise from religious prohibitions or practical...

. The coalition lists studies on reparative therapy

Reparative Therapy

Conversion therapy, sometimes called reparative therapy or reorientation therapy, is one type of sexual orientation change effort that attempts to change the sexual orientation of a person from homosexual or bisexual to heterosexual. These types of therapies have been a source of intense...

 and links to organizations that work with people who have unwanted same-sex attractions. Arthur Abba Goldberg is president of PATH.

Members

In July 2003, various organizations united to form PATH. Its members are

1. Courage International
   Courage International
   Courage International is an apostolate and Christian ministry of the Roman Catholic Church, which "ministers to those with same-sex attractions,"...
   
    (Roman Catholic)
2. Evergreen International (Mormon)
3. Family Watch International
4. German Institute for Youth and Society
5. Homosexuals Anonymous
   Homosexuals Anonymous
   Homosexuals Anonymous is an ex-gay group which practices conversion therapy to change the sexual orientation of homosexual clients. Its mission statement describes it as "a fellowship of men and women, who through their common emotional experience, have chosen to help each other live in freedom...
   
    (Christian
   Christianity
   Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
   
   )
6. International Healing Foundation
   Richard Cohen
   Richard Cohen may refer to:*Richard Cohen , syndicated columnist for the Washington Post*Richard Cohen , a British Olympic fencer and author of Chasing the Sun*Richard A. Cohen, advocate of conversion therapy...
   
   
7. Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing, or JONAH (Jewish
   Judaism
   Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
   
   )
8. National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality, or NARTH
9. OneByOne
   OneByOne
   OneByOne is a Presbyterian "ex-gay" organization which was founded in 1995 in Rochester, New York. The director is Kristin J. Tremba.-History:...
   
    (Presbyterian
   Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
   The Presbyterian Church , or PC, is a mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the United States. Part of the Reformed tradition, it is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the U.S...
   
   )
10. Parakaleo (Christian, UK
    United Kingdom
    The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
    
    , gender identity
    Gender identity
    A gender identity is the way in which an individual self-identifies with a gender category, for example, as being either a man or a woman, or in some cases being neither, which can be distinct from biological sex. Basic gender identity is usually formed by age three and is extremely difficult to...
    
     confusion)
11. Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays
    Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays
    Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays is a non-profit organization providing outreach, education, and public awareness in support of the "ex-gay" community. PFOX maintains that homosexuality is not a product of biological determination, in contradiction to the consensus of major mental health...
    
    , or PFOX
12. People Can Change
    People Can Change
    People Can Change is an American nonprofit organization supporting men wishing to reduce or eliminate their same-sex desires. The organization hosts weekend retreats for these men...
    
    
13. Powerful Change Ministry Group (African-American, Christian)
14. RENACER (Mexico
    Mexico
    The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
    
    )
15. Transforming Congregations (Methodist
    United Methodist Church
    The United Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination which is both mainline Protestant and evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley...
    
    )
16. True Freedom Trust
    True Freedom Trust
    True Freedom Trust is a religious organization encouraging celibacy among gays and lesbians, based in Wirral, UK. As a form of Christian ministry to the LGBT community, it promotes the view that homosexuality is not sinful in and of itself but only when acted upon.-History & positions:True freedom...
    
     (UK, Christian)
17. VENSER (Mexico, Christian)

Exodus International

Exodus International

Exodus International is a non-profit, interdenominational ex-gay Christian organization founded by Michael Bussee, Gary Cooper, Frank Worthen, Ron Dennis, and Greg Reid...

belonged to the initial members, but left in April 2007.

External links

• Positive Alternatives to Homosexuality, Official website