Lobotomy for homosexuality

Domain XVI · Historical, discredited & harmful · António Egas Moniz, Walter Freeman, James Watts · 1935 · Lisbon

What it is

Listed for history and safety. Lobotomy and other psychosurgery used on gay men and others labelled "sexually deviant" caused irreversible harm and, like all conversion practices, did not change sexual orientation. This guide describes these operations only in observable terms, for recognition, and…

Format

• Session number and length follow the client's goals, risk and capacity and the setting.

Who practises it, and how they are trained or regulated

• Its claimed mechanism, and what is now known. Proponents held that damaging frontal brain connections would quiet the drives and preoccupations they regarded as pathological, including same-sex desire; a statement attributed to Freeman, that homosexuality "is of little practical importance after frontal lobotomy", is quoted in secondary journalism. No change of orientation was demonstrated; what the operation…

Questions to explore with your client

• What drew you to it, and what are you hoping it will change?
• Does it involve any substance, plant preparation, remedy or supplement? Has your doctor or prescriber been told, especially about any medication you take?
• Does it involve fasting, a special diet or 'detox'? Have you discussed this with your doctor?
• Is it a group, retreat or community? How do they respond if someone wants to leave or raises a concern?
• How do you and the practitioner understand what is happening, in spiritual or cultural terms? Is that a source of comfort, worry, or both?
• Who runs it, and what training or registration do they hold?
• What actually happens in a session or meeting, and how often?
• What does it cost, and is there pressure to commit to more?
• How do you feel afterwards, in the hours and days that follow?
• Does it fit with, or clash with, the work we do here?

What practitioners of it watch for

• services that use mainstream labels for change efforts. Working when the client uses the support.
• capacity questions; carers speaking for the client. Working when the client can engage on their own terms.
• idealising or vilifying the therapist; silent drop-out. Working when ruptures are spoken about and survived.
• vicarious distress; unexamined bias. Working when your stance stays steady and non-directive under pressure.
• the client hearing this as pressure to adopt an identity; religious conflict (4.13). Working when self-blame eases.

When to involve someone else

• New or worsening physical symptoms, or advice to stop or change prescribed medication: involve the client's doctor or prescriber.
• Signs of coercion, isolation from family and friends, escalating costs or secrecy: discuss openly and consider safeguarding.
• A crisis or thoughts of suicide: follow your crisis protocol. In the US, call or text 988; in the UK and Ireland, Samaritans on 116 123.

Drawn automatically from the guide's own sections. Stay curious: neither endorse nor dismiss what the client values, and check anything that matters against the full guide and its sources. Not medical advice.