In the psychoanalytic literature on the treatment of homosexuality, one particular point of view, which I shall designate the directive-suggestive approach, has attained the greatest visibility and notoriety. A survey of the most widely cited writings on the psychoanalytic treatment of homosexuality over the past 20 years reveals a recurrent admonition to the analyst to depart from the traditional analytic position of nondirective neutrality by actively discouraging homosexual behavior and encouraging heterosexual behavior. It is argued not only that the analyst should take an open stand against homosexual behavior, but that any meaningful treatment of such patients must entail such a stance. Despite the fact that this approach violates several fundamental principles of sound psychoanalytic practice, and despite the fact that it is therefore highly unlikely that this approach is representative of the broad practice of most psychoanalysts with patients who are homosexual, the directive-suggestive approach is often