People Can Change is a non-profit educational, outreach and support organization of men who have successfully transitioned out of unwanted homosexual attractions and increased their heterosexual identify, feelings and behaviors.

Mission

The mission of People Can Change is to offer other men who seek similar transformation a pathway of healing, by providing information, training, coaching and support. People Can Change also provides information to and support for family members and concerned friends of men struggling with unwanted homosexual feelings.

People Can Change is not a religious ministry, nor is it affiliated with any religious faith or organization.

Currently, People Can Change does not have the experience and resources, particularly knowledgeable volunteers, to provide services to women seeking to overcome unwanted lesbian attractions.

Founding and Growth

People Can Change was founded in September 2000 by Richard Wyler, a man who had personally experienced enormous transformation from unwanted homosexual attractions. Originally, People Can Change was essentially a Web site containing personal success stories of men who had experienced change, plus online support groups for those who were struggling and seeking information and support.

Today, there are more than a half dozen online support groups of, collectively, hundreds of men from all over the world. There is also an online group for wives.

People Can Change grew further in 2002 when David Matheson, a therapist specializing in “gender affirming therapy,” joined Rich to co-create the first Journey Into Manhood experiential healing weekends.

Since that time, hundreds of men from more than a dozen countries have found tremendous healing and growth through the Journey Into Manhood weekend program. Dozens of these men have returned to serve as volunteer weekend staff. Many of them also contribute substantial time and talent to support the mission of People Can Change and support those who currently struggle.

In 2003, the leadership of People Can Change joined with leaders of other like-minded organizations to co-found P.A.T.H., a non-profit coalition of organizations that help people with unwanted same-sex attractions realize their personal goals for change.

Philosophy and Values

People Can Change makes no attempt to persuade individuals who are content with a homosexual identity and orientation that they should be dissatisfied, or that they should pursue change if they are not already considering it. People Can Change exists to serve only the man who is dissatisfied with his homosexual feelings, dissatisfied with a homosexual life, and for whom pursuing change feels to him that it may be a healing path to his true self.

People Can Change is governed by the following philosophies and values:

• For many men, homosexual attractions may be an unconscious and unintentional response to childhood trauma, sexual molestation in childhood or youth, disaffection from father, over-identification or enmeshment with mother, gender identity problems, unmet needs for normal masculine affirmation and association, and/or other underlying causes.
• In these cases, at least, homosexuality very likely does not represent the man’s authentic self, and for him, engaging in homosexual behavior or adopting a homosexual identity may actually exacerbate the root problems that the homosexual desires are unconsciously masking.
• Many men have successfully diminished or eliminated unwanted homosexual attractions and developed healthy heterosexual attractions through a comprehensive program of masculine-identity development, male bonding, inner healing, behavior and attitude change and spiritual surrender.
• Homosexual feelings are rarely if ever deliberately chosen and cannot be changed by a simple conscious choice or force of will; rather, change in sexual attractions follows as a consequence of a comprehensive series of life changes, relational changes and inner healing.
• Change may be possible with or without a belief in any particular religious faith, spiritual tradition or deity, but we believe that often those who are able to yield to the will of a “higher power,” or to a higher good or higher spiritual purpose, may be more successful at change.
• Significant sexual-orientation change may or may not be possible for every person who has homosexual desires. Likewise, pursuing change is not the only possible response to unwanted homosexual feelings and may or may not be the most appropriate resolution for any particular individual.
• No one can make anyone else change their sexual orientation against their will, nor do we believe anyone should attempt to force or pressure someone to change who is not intrinsically motivated to do so.
• We recognize the inherent and equal worth of all people. We strongly object to “gay bashing” – just as we object to “ex-gay bashing” – and instead encourage compassion and understanding for all who deal with or have ever dealt with homosexuality, however they may choose to address it in their lives. We respect their dignity, worth, right to self-determination, and right to equal protection under the law.
• The message of change – and particularly what is most effective in bringing about change – can be shared most effectively and credibly by men who have experienced significant change for themselves. Men who choose to speak out and share their experiences provide an important and selfless service to others who seek similar hope and guidance.

Most people have limited access to effective local resources that support sexual-orientation change. Most people and organizations seem to have very little knowledge about what is effective in bringing about change. Public resistance to change efforts is increasingly pronounced, especially among professional mental-health associations. Therefore, it is extremely helpful for those who have experienced change firsthand to speak out about what worked for them, and also to work together to create an effective self-help program or outline that individuals who seek change can follow wherever they are in the world, and regardless of resource limitations.

This is the vital work of People Can Change.

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