On Driving Home the Faith, Ken Craycraft continues his conversation with Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse, founder and president of the Ruth Institute, about her recent video examining the science and arguments behind so-called “conversion therapy” bans.

Dr. Morse explains how her video essay walks viewers through scientific studies, tables, and data to examine claims surrounding sexual orientation and whether it is genetically determined. Ken and Dr. Morse discuss the landmark 2019 study published in Science that examined the DNA of nearly 500,000 people and found no single “gay gene,” while acknowledging that genetic factors can play a role among many contributing factors.

The conversation then turns to the experiences that can influence sexual attraction and identity, including family dynamics, abuse, pornography, and other formative experiences. Dr. Morse argues that people who voluntarily seek counseling should be free to discuss these questions with a qualified therapist.

Ken and Dr. Morse also focus on the impact of conversion-therapy bans on the people seeking help, not merely the therapists providing it. They discuss how broad restrictions and potential legal consequences may discourage therapists from having conversations that clients themselves want to have.

The segment closes with a message for anyone struggling with questions about sexual orientation and identity: “Gay is not the final word about your identity.”

Dr. Morse's video, The Fake Science Behind Conversion Therapy Ban, is available on the Ruth Institute YouTube channel, and listeners are encouraged to follow the Ruth Institute's weekly newsletter for more of her research and commentary.