Understanding SOCE (Sexual Orientation Change Efforts)

The Rev. D. Paul Sullins, Ph.D., is a Senior Research Associate of the Ruth Institute. He recently retired as Professor of Sociology at the Catholic University
of America, Washington DC. Dr. Sullins is a leader in the field of research on same-sex parenting and its implications for child development. He has
written four books and over 100 journal articles, research reports, and essays on issues of family, faith, and culture. His reports on clerical sexual abuse from the Pennsylvania Grand Jury data, John Jay data, LA Times, and other sources have
garnered international acclaim.

Dr. Sullins continues as Research Professor and Director of the Leo Initiative for Social Research at Catholic University, as well as Director of the Summer
Institute of Catholic Social Thought. He also serves on the board of the Society of Catholic Social Scientists (SCSS), the Center for Family and Human
Rights (C-FAM), and the Natural Family Journal. He is a Fellow of the Marriage and Religion Research Institute (MARRI), and was an Ignatius Loyola
Fellow for Catholic Identity at the Center for the Advancement of Catholic Higher Education.

Formerly Episcopalian, Dr. Sullins is a married Catholic priest. He and his wife, Patricia, have an inter-racial family of three children, two adopted.
He serves as Associate Pastor of the Church of Saint Mark the Evangelist, Hyattsville, MD.

Readings &amp, Resources

• Keeping The Vow: The Untold Story of Married Catholic Priests,
  by Fr. Paul Sullins
• “Efficacy and risk of sexual orientation change efforts: a retrospective analysis of 125 exposed men,” by D. Paul Sullins. Makes the case that SOCE can be effective and with generally positive psychosocial benefits. This study restates, with improvements,
  a study based on the same data which had been retracted two years ago.
  • ” ‘Gay conversion therapy’ can work, no matter what Joe Biden says,” by Michael Cook, recent review of this article in Mercatornet
• “Sexual Orientation Change Efforts (SOCE) *Reduce* Suicide: Correcting a False Research Narrative,” by D. Paul Sullins. Rebuts an article claiming that SOCE increases suicide risk, showing that most of the suicide behavior occurred before going
  to SOCE. When adjusted for pre-existing suicidality, SOCE greatly *reduces* suicide risk. This study disarms the most common argument from evidence
  for minority stress theory, the idea that the problems of sexual minority persons are due solely to discrimination and lack of social acceptance.
• Fr Sullins’ work on clergy sex abuse and follow-up, Receding Waves
• Dr. J Shows with Fr. Paul Sullins
  • Are Abortions Being Done on Wanted Children?
  • New Year’s Resolutions!