You can purchase an autographed copy of Anything But Straight by sending a $35 check or money order to:
-------------------------
Wayne Besen
PO Box 25491
Brooklyn, NY 11202
I have long said that there are virtually no longterm "ex-gays" who are not on the payroll of right wing organizations or working for a ministry. This is important, because it means in order to supposedly go from gay to straight, one must quit his or her job and dedicate every waking hour to overcoming homosexuality. Ironically, these folks are immersing themselves in the very thing they claim they have escaped.
Writer Mark Benjamin proved my point in his 4-part series for Salon this week. He asked Dr. Joseph Nicolosi, head of the conversion therapy lobby group NARTH, to provide him with successful patients who weren't paid by right wing political groups to say they had gone from gay to straight.
He responds that his patients will not talk to me because they don't get a fair shake in the press. They are done with homosexuality and have moved on with their lives. They don't want to talk about it now.
Benjamin also asked Randy Thomas, spokesvirgin from Exodus International to provide people to talk to that weren't on the right wing dole.
Exodus spokesman Randy Thomas also declines to help me meet ex-gays to interview. He says that I can read about the experiences of ex-gays on Exodus Web site.
It is interesting that Exodus and NARTH together claim to have made "hundreds of thousands" of self loathing gay people straight. One also thinks that these legions of people would be very enthusiastic about sharing their experiences. But when pressured to provide real life examples, these groups have nothing to show. Exodus simply offered to recycle the same tired shills they have on their web-site. Perhaps, ex-gays do not really exist? Interestingly, Benjamin practically tripped over ex-ex-gays willing to discuss how the "ex-gay" ministries negatively impacted their lives. Does this not say something about the success/failure ratio?
The state of Florida, where Exodus is based, should launch a full-scale investigation against Exodus for potential fraud. (Oh, wait, Jeb Bush is Governor) They have claimed that they have helped hundreds of thousands of people. Yet, these supposedly "healed" homosexuals remain invisible. Exodus also still highlights people on its web-site as success stories, like Shawn O'Donnell, who are now out and proud gay men. It is time that Exodus puts up or shuts up. Either these hordes of ex-gays exist or the group is greatly exaggerating its efficacy.
16 Comments:
I was once an ex-gay. I was brainwashed. They took my money and my soul. Wayne, thanks for your work on this issue. What you do is truly the work of God.
I second Jake. I am so glad you have been on top of this issue. You were following it when it wasn't popular and making sure it stayed in the news. Keep outing those so-called ex-gay hyporites.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
posted by Anonymous, at
7/21/2005 3:23 PM
The ex-gay success/failure ratio mentioned in the article is I'm sure 0 to 100% respectively! Gary (NJ)
posted by Anonymous, at
7/21/2005 3:50 PM
How many people do we know that claim to be "straight" and go to gay sex clubs, or cruise online? How many guys -of all races and religious backgrownds- are living double lives? Now, if this happen with guys and gals that claim themselves as "straights" and get married, and have families, and the whole nine yards, can you imaging the "ex-queers"? No one in their right mind can believe in this sort of "ministry", one: because there is nothing ministerial about it, and two: because sexual orientation is what it is, attraction for people of the same gender, nothing else; not a sin, not a deviation, nothing of the sort. People who suffer because of a waight problem, may develop disorders like anorexia or bullimia, it dosn't mean that eating is "intrinsecally evil" is just that the person has bought on the immages imposed by society. Sexuality and sexual orientation are natural, and having sex is natural, but if one person develops self hate because they believe that sex is bad, then, they will want to change their sexual orientation. Can they change their sexual orientation? NO, and eventually they develop a number of mental deseases as a result of trying to change what they naturally are. it is like other mental disorders, like internalized racism, just that, this is internalized homophobia. Ex-gays... don't make me laught!!!
posted by Anonymous, at
7/21/2005 4:46 PM
We know what you meant to say, but please dont compare homosexuality to eating disorders. God I need a Ben and Jerry's right now!
posted by Anonymous, at
7/21/2005 4:55 PM
Sorry if I did not explained mayself correctly! I mean to compare internalized homophobia with eating disorders and food with sex... for me, sex is like food!
posted by Anonymous, at
7/21/2005 5:05 PM
Nicolosi is in denial. It's Classic Denial and I'm not a psychiatrist.
posted by Anonymous, at
7/21/2005 5:06 PM
I have yet to meet an "ex-gay" I have met several ex ex gays in my travels... now watch the ex gay leaders attack Salon.
posted by Anonymous, at
7/21/2005 6:44 PM
The whole ex-gay movement centres around brainwashing and self-shame induced by false religion. The only success stories we actually see are those paid by hate groups to say that they have been "cured". What they haven't realized in their stupidity and blind prejudice is that there is nothing to be cured because being a homosexual is an innate and instinctive trait and is not an illness that can be cured.
posted by Anonymous, at
7/22/2005 12:04 AM
This is more than strange, it is downright incredible. If there are hundreds of thousands, there should be dozens willing to talk about it. Instead, the same old tired queens come up over and over again. Many of whom can not document any adult gay life. Thanks for keeping this issue alive Wayne, Dalea
PS loging in here is nearly impossible.
posted by Anonymous, at
7/22/2005 12:21 AM
This is more than strange, it is downright incredible. If there are hundreds of thousands, there should be dozens willing to talk about it. Instead, the same old tired queens come up over and over again. Many of whom can not document any adult gay life. Thanks for keeping this issue alive Wayne, Dalea
PS loging in here is nearly impossible.
posted by Anonymous, at
7/22/2005 12:21 AM
Right on, Wayne.
I think the comparison with eating disorders is fair and to the point, by the way.
Some gays have an unhealthy lifestyle, but that doesn't mean being gay is unhealthy. Some people who eat are boulimic, that doesn't mean eating is bad for you.
Gay sex is not an addiction just because you don't want to leave it behind, by that logic, we're all addicted to food.
posted by Willie Hewes, at
7/22/2005 3:45 AM
Lets all keep up the pressure on the ex-gay movement. How about a state-wide gay demonstration outside their headquarters to really put this fraud on the map. Why doesn't the APA take a stand on this, the one organization that could put these charlatans out of business once and for all?
Ex-gays are like the socalled straight men, single and married, who hang out in chat rooms looking to get off and claim they're still straight. Then there are those who vehemently deny they're gay if they don't reciprocate, then they become incensed when you question them on it. Even worse when they oppose our basic civil rights? These are the very people, among others, who are a detriment to marriage. And the right wingers think we're sick? Go figure.
I hope the media challenge the "hundreds of thousands" claim, and invite them to do so (60 Minutes?). If I were Joseph Nicolosi, I would want to completely dissociate myself with religious and/or political groups. If I really, honestly, deep down, heart-of-hearts felt that I had a genuine, effective, secular therapy whereby homosexuals could become heterosexuals, and really, honestly, know of thousands (or even hundreds or even tens) who had been truly changed (I'm not counting religious brainwashing as being changed), I would want to present such a therapy as a scientist might -- free from judgment, one way or the other, about it, and absolutely free from any connection to religion. I would want to present my therapy in a way that was unambiguously devoid of bigotry or ideology. Just the facts -- agenda-less empirical data. Derived through earnest application of the scientific method. Instead, Nicolosi is clearly and proudly affiliated with and allied with religious and political groups. He seems in fact to be extremely tight with them, like Siamese twins. I remember seeing a ridiculous 15 minute video made in 1992 or 1993 or so called "The Gay Agenda." It was sent unsoliticedly to politicians in Washington. Its function was to make gay people (especially gay men) seem disgusting, sick, and threatening. Nicolosi was prominently featured in the video. For that reason alone, to me Nicolosi has no credibility. His therapy is political behavior. Again, if it were serious, and effective ("hundreds of thousands"), he would actively shun connections to religious or political groups -- not proudly embrace, and be embraced by, them.
Robert from Bayside, the APA has taken a stand on it:
From APA.org homosexual12.pdf American Psychiatric Association, 1400 K St. NW, Washington, DC 20005 FactSHEET In December 1973, the American Psychiatric Association’s Board of Trustees deleted homosexuality from its official nomenclature of mental disorders, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Second Edition (DSM-II). The action was taken following a review of the scientific literature and consultation with experts in the field. The experts found that homosexuality does not meet the criteria to be considered a mental illness.
For a mental condition to be considered a psychiatric disorder, it must constitute dysfunction within an individual, cause present distress (e.g., a painful symptom), disability (e.g., impairment in one or more important areas of functioning), or a significantly increased risk of suffering death, pain, disability, or an important loss of freedom. A homosexual or bisexual individual may experience conflict with a homophobic society; however, such conflict is not a symp-tom of dysfunction in the individual.
The APA Board recognized that a significant portion of homosexual and bisexual people were clearly satisfied with their sexual orientation and showed no signs of psychopa-thology. It was also found that they were able to function effectively in society, and that those who sought treatment most often did so for reasons other than sexual orientation. When the DSM-III was published in 1980 homosexuality was not included although “ego dystonic homosexuality” was recognized as a category for people “whose sexual interests are directed primarily toward people of the same sex and who are either disturbed by, in conflict with, or wish to change their sexual orientation.” In the 1987 DSM-III revision, “ego dystonic homosexuality” was deleted as a sepa-rate diagnostic category in recognition that “In the United States, almost all people who are homosexual first go through a phase in which their homosexuality is ego dystonic” (DSM-III-R).
“Reparative Therapy”
“Reparative therapy,” also known as conversion therapy, is a term that is used to describe treatment attempts to change a person from a homosexual or bisexual orientation to a heterosexual orientation. There is no published scientific evi-dence supporting the efficacy of “reparative therapy” as a treatment to change one’s sexual orientation. It is not described in the scientific literature, nor is it mentioned in the APA’s Task Force Report, Treatments of Psychiatric Disorders (1989).
Sexual orientation, like gender identity, appears to be established early in life. There is no evidence that altering sexual orientation is an appropriate goal of psychiatric treatment. There are single case reports of changes or increased flexibility in the capacity to respond heterosexually—or homosexually— during psychotherapy, but no specific treatment to permanently realize such changes has been documented. Clinical experience suggests that attempts to change sexual orientation may occasionally result in behavioral changes for some motivated individuals for limited periods of time, but that such changes often are accompanied by depression, anxi-ety, and other symptoms.
Homosexuals and bisexuals—like others—are raised in a homophobic society and often experience internalized homophobia. Some may seek conversion to heterosexuality on that account. Clinical experience suggests that relief of homophobia allows for better psychological functioning. Those who have integrated their sexual orientation into a positive sense of themselves function at a healthier psychological level than those who have not.
In December 1998, the APA Board adopted a position statement on psychiatric treatment and sexual orientation which said in part: “…the American Psychiatric Association opposes any psychiatric treatment, such as “reparative” or “conversion” therapy which is based upon the assumption that homosexuality per se is a mental disorder or based upon a prior assumption that the patient should change his/her homosexual orientation.” (See Psychiatric Treatment and Sexual Orientation on page 3.) Several other major professional organizations including the American Psychological Association, the National Association of Social Workers and the American Academy of Pediatrics also have made statements against “reparative therapy” because of concerns for the harm caused to patients.
Sensitive and Affirmative Therapy
Homosexual and bisexual men and women have experienced increased social acceptance and recognition over the last several decades. Bias, prejudice, and stig-matization of these individuals—and of homosexuality itself —however, continue. These factors can contribute to shame and poor self-esteem, and be a component in the mental health presentation of some homosexuals and bisexuals seeking psychotherapy or psycho-pharmacology.
Therapy that is “gay sensitive”—that is, therapy provided by a therapist who is well informed about homosexuality and the issues facing homosexual and bisexual people that result from social homophobia—is most helpful for those individuals. So, too, is therapy that is “gay affirmative”— that is, therapy provided by a therapist who is positive and supportive about accepting an individual’s homosexual or bisexual orientation.
APA Position Statements on Homosexuality
The American Psychiatric Association is officially on record with the following position statements: Homosexuality and Civil Rights—Whereas homosexuality per se implies no impairment in judgment, stability, reliability, or general social or vocational capabilities, therefore, be it resolved that the American Psychiatric Associa-tion deplores all public and private discrimination against homosexuals in such areas as employment, housing, public accommodation, and licensing, and declares that no burden of proof of such judgment, capacity, or reliability shall be placed upon homosexuals greater than that imposed on any other persons. Further, the American Psychiatric Association supports and urges the enactment of civil rights legislation at the local, state, and federal level that would offer homosexual citizens the same protections now guaranteed to others on the basis of race, creed, color, etc. Further, the American Psychiatric Association supports and urges the repeal of all discriminatory legislation singling out homosexual acts by consenting adults in private. (The American Psychiatric Association is, of course, aware that many other persons in addition to homosexuals are irrationally denied their civil rights on the basis of pejorative connotations derived from diagnostic or descriptive terminology used in psy-chiatry and deplores all such discrimination. This resolu-tion singles out discrimination against homosexuals only because of the pervasive discriminatory acts directed against this group and the arbitrary laws directed against homo- sexual behavior.) (November 1973)
Discrimination Based on Gender or Sexual Orientation—
Irrational employment discrimination on the basis of gender and sexual orientation has received considerable attention in law, business, sociology, and, to a lesser degree, psychology. It is well known that sexual harassment and other forms of irrational gender-based employment discrimination are potentially severe occupational stressors. Complaints of sexual harassment and gender based discrimination have increased in recent years, and this trend is likely to continue because employees are increasingly aware of legal prohibitions against these and other forms of employment discrimination. While the psychiatric needs of selfidentified discrimination victims have been under-recognized, both in and out of the workplace, psychiatrists can expect increasing consultations regarding these issues. It is important that psychiatrists appreciate and help others to understand the emotional consequences of irrational employment discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation. ( June 1988)
Homosexuality and the Armed Services—The APA, since 1973, has formally opposed all public and private discrimination against homosexuals in such areas as employment, housing, public accommodations and licensing. It follows that APA opposes exclusion and dismissal from the armed services on the basis of sexual orientation. Furthermore, APA asserts that no burden of proof of judgment, capacity, or reliability should be placed on homosexuals which is greater than that imposed on any other persons within the armed services. (December 1990)
Right to Privacy—The American Psychiatric Associa-tion supports the right to privacy in matters such as birth control, reproductive choice, and adult consensual relations conducted in private, and it supports legislative, judicial, and regulatory efforts to protect and guarantee this right. (December 1991)
Homosexuality and the U.S. Immigration and Natural-ization Service—The American Psychiatric Association strongly opposes all public and private discrimination against homosexuals in such areas as employment, housing, public accommodations, licensing, and immigration and naturalization decisions. The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), at least until 1990, considered homosexuality to be a mental illness and used this determination as a basis for the discriminatory exclusion of homosexual visitors and immigrants to the United States. The American Psychiatric Association successfully opposed the continued in- clusion of homosexuality as a mental illness by the INS. The APA believes that neither physical illness nor mental illness nor sexual orientation per se should be a basis for immigration or naturalization exclusion. (1991)
Homosexuality—Whereas homosexuality per se implies no impairment in judgement, stability, reliability, or general social or vocational capabilities, the American Psychiatric Association calls on all international health organizations, and individual psychiatrists in other countries, to urge the repeal in their own country of legislation that penalizes ho-mosexual acts by consenting adults in private. And further, the APA calls on these organizations and individuals to do all that is possible to decrease the stigma related to homo-sexuality wherever and whenever it may occur. (December 1992)
Bias-Related Incidents—Bias-related incidents, arising from racism, sexism, and intolerance based on religion, ethnicity, and national/tribal origin, and anti-gay and lesbian prejudice are widespread in society and continue to be a source of social disruption, individual suffering, and trauma. These incidents are ubiquitous and occur in both urban and rural areas. Such hate-based incidents consist of acts of violence or harassment. These incidents result in emotional and physical trauma for individuals, as well as stigmatization of affected groups. Ethnic and cultural biases, vividly manifested in bias-related incidents, serve to frustrate the basic human need for dignity, resulting in despair and hopelessness among the victims which ultimately affect the whole nation. The APA deplores such bias-related incidents. Moreover, the APA encourages its own members and components to take appropriate actions in helping to prevent such events, as well as to respond actively in the aftermath when such bias-related incidents occur locally. (December 1992)
Psychiatric Treatment and Sexual Orientation—The potential risks of “reparative therapy” are great, including de-pression, anxiety and self-destructive behavior, since thera-pist alignment with societal prejudices against homosexuality may reinforce self-hatred already experienced by the patient. Many patients who have undergone “reparative therapy” relate that they were inaccurately told that homosexuals are lonely, unhappy individuals who never achieve acceptance or satisfaction. The possibility that the person might achieve happiness and satisfying interpersonal relationships as a gay man or lesbian is not presented, nor are alternative approaches to dealing with the effects of societal stigmatization discussed. Therefore, the American Psychiatric Association opposes any psychiatric treatment, such as “reparative” or “conversion” therapy which is based upon the assumption that homosexuality per se is a mental disorder or based upon the priori assumption that the patient should change his/her homosexual orientation. (December 1998) 3 This fact sheet is one of a series including titles on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition) DSM-IV; Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT); the Insanity Defense; Memories of Sexual Abuse; Patient/Therapist Sexual Contact; Pedophilia; Psychiatric Effects of Media Violence; St. John Wort; Confidentiality; When Disaster Strikes; and Violence and Mental Illness.
American Psychiatric Association • 1400 K Street, NW • Washington, DC 20005 • Phone (202) 682-6000 • Fax (202) 682-6255 • E-mail apa@psych.org • Internet: www.psych.org • APAfastFAX (toll-free fax-on-demand service) 1+(888) 357-7924.
posted by JulieDee, at
7/28/2005 11:36 PM
