I swore that I read somewhere before that sometime in the 60's early 70's psychologist thought that homosexuality is actually a condition that can be cured and there were people who tried to do so. This practice is obviously not done today, as far as I know, but did this practice exist anywhere in America in the past? What were the results?
Sorry I accidentally deleted it, i'll repost it. From 1952 - 1973 the DSM (diagnostic and statistical manual for Mental Disorders) classed homosexuality as a condition, in America and Europe. Regarding the cure, during the 40's and 50's especially in the UK, GP's could prescribe a supposed cure for being gay, which would entail the patient drinking something to make them immediately sick whilst they watched gay porn. This would create a conditioned response through "Classical Conditioning" (Learning by association) so that whenever they watched Gay porn they'd think about throwing up.
Even though in 1962, Psychologist Evelyn Hooker conducted an experiment for her thesis to see if there was any difference between the happiness of straight and homosexual men. Obviously she found no difference however the American Psychiatric Association (the people who make the DSM) were shocked about the results. So completely dismissed it.
Americans held this view mainly because after WW2, people wanted to restore the prewar social order. This made them very intolerance to minorities of any kind. (think Mcarthyism
Hopefully that Helps, if you give me an hour, i'll find my sources and answer your other questions :)