Restoring Sexual Identity

by Anne Paulk

Restoring Sexual Identity offers answers to the most commonly asked questions from both homosexuals desiring change and friends and relatives of women struggling with same-sex attraction. Is lesbianism an inherited predisposition or is it developed in childhood? Does becoming a Christian eliminate all desire for members of the same sex? What support is available for women who struggle with lesbianism? Can a woman be a lesbian and a Christian at the same time? How does childhood sexual abuse relate to the development of lesbianism? These and other important questions are answered as the author draws from her own experience and that of many other former lesbians who participated in an extensive survey on same-sex attraction.

272 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2003

Reviews

[Amy Bell]

I read this book when I first started "struggling with same-sex attraction." I don't remember how well written it was, etc. I read it too long ago. I do know that it didn't help me. It just multiplied the shame. I didn't need to struggle with same-sex attraction. I needed to accept myself as God made me. Books by Justin Lee and Matthew Vine are WAY more helpful.

[Tami · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was not impressed with this book at all. Very disappointed in the so called research. Most if not all research was done by a question and answer process by Paulk herself with women who wanted to come out of the lesbian life style. (Lesbian life style are her words, not mine.) Anyway, it really seemed like Paulk was confused. One minute someone was gay because of something they did or didn't do in their child hood and the next they were not. Also, there was a lot of info that just took work or faith make a person change. (It takes a whole lot of faith to believe what Paulk was saying... I mean, what is she talking about. It's just not right.) I feel like this is a waste of time. But I read it because my best friend bought it for me.

[Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anne Paulk is a former lesbian, who now works with Focus on the Family. She is married to a former homosexual man. She approaches the subject of same-sex attraction with delicacy, and with a genuine love for women who struggle with this. She shows how many women who pursue a homosexual life have deep emotional trauma, were abused, or whose parents had a dysfunctional marriage.

While she is clearly grounded in the Word of God, she is also familiar with secular works and interacts with authors who the gay life-style.

She concludes with a survey of over 200 women who are in the process of leaving the gay life-style. Although we may be born with an inclination to sin in a certain way (do my genes make me prone to be promiscuous and abuse women?), we do not have to be ruled by our genetic make-up.

More Christians need to try and understand how lesbians think and feel. We need to love them as Christ loves us!

[K B · Rating 4 out of 5]

good information - good resource for pastors and laymen alike

[Carmie · Rating 1 out of 5]

An "Ex-gay" book about how to change sexual orientation from lesbian to straight with focus on developmental factors that affect sexuality. Relies on the reader taking the author at her word, instead of providing facts or data. Includes suggestions such as "wear more feminine clothing" to embrace your feminine side more and become attracted to men. After that, I completely lost faith in this author's claims and legitimacy.