Contact: Rich Wyler, People Can Change, 434-985-8551

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia, Feb. 7 /Christian Newswire/ -- Conventional wisdom that says homosexual attractions are always unchangeable was challenged again today by a study showing that four out of five men who participated in a personal-growth weekend called Journey Into Manhood reported a decrease in unwanted homosexual attractions when surveyed between six months and six years later.

More than half reported an increase in heterosexual attractions since they participated in the weekend program by People Can Change, a non-profit, non-religious educational and support organization founded in Virginia in 2000.

Meanwhile, nine out of 10 reported a decrease in distress, shame or self-condemnation.

Journey Into Manhood is a 48-hour personal-growth and self-discovery weekend for men who are self-motivated and serious about resolving unwanted homosexual attractions. Each weekend is led by men who have overcome unwanted homosexual attractions themselves. People Can Change has presented the Journey Into Manhood program in 11 states and two countries (the U.S. and England) since January 2002.

People Can Change queried almost 500 men who had participated in the program at least six months prior to taking the survey. More than 200 individuals responded – a response rate of 45 percent.

The survey found:

-- 56 percent reported experiencing "significant" same-sex attractions at the time they participated in the Journey Into Manhood weekend, but only 14 percent said they experience "significant" same-sex attractions now.

-- 79 percent reported a decrease in the frequency or intensity of their homosexual feelings – including 31 percent reporting a significant decrease, 32 percent reporting a moderate decrease, and 16 percent reporting a small decrease. Six percent reported an increase.

-- 73 percent reported a decrease in homosexual behaviors.

-- 58 percent reported an increase in their heterosexual attractions.

-- 93 percent reported that Journey Into Manhood had a positive impact on their efforts to diminish same-sex attractions – including 54 percent who reported a "major" or "very major" impact.

-- 90 percent reported feeling better about themselves, and 83 percent said they are happier and more at peace.

A link to a more complete survey summary is available from the organization's home page at www.peoplecanchange.com.

The survey results are consistent with the findings of other research by academics and organizations confirming that some people with "ego dystonic" (unwanted or cognitively dissonant) homosexual attractions can and do sometimes experience a reduction in homosexual feelings, through therapy or other interventions.