Wayne Besen - Author, Activist, Columnist, Public Speaker

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

'I Don't Exist': The Fall of Dr. Warren Throckmorton

(Weekly Column)

A few years back, Warren Throckmorton, an erstwhile psychologist and full-time blogger from a tiny Christian school, filmed a noxious "ex-gay" video, "I Do Exist." The documentary begins at New York's porn palaces on 8th Avenue - with the seedy atmosphere shot deliberately to signify gay life.

Not long into the video, we were introduced to a nutty exorcist who is known to extract demons from the anuses of gay men. In his typical slippery way, the public relations conscious Throckmorton fails to identify the woman as an exorcist (as she was identified in two other movies, "One Nation Under God" and "Chasing the Devil," with apparently less truth challenged producers)

Later in the movie, we meet Noe Gutierrez, who had supposedly gone from gay activist to "ex-gay " spokesperson. For several minutes, he prattles about his tale of transformation - essentially becoming "living proof" that ex-gays exist. Well, last week he renounced his testimony, meaning that as an ex-gay he doesn't exist. History, once again, has repeated itself, with the latest so-called "ex-gay" leader coming out of the closet. This has happened so many times that this story line, quite frankly, has become somewhat stale. I mean how many times can we see this rerun before people get it?

Unfortunately, professional humiliation hasn't stopped Throckmorton from hawking his fictional movie - or just giving it away on his website. Lacking basic integrity and personal responsibility, this slick charlatan persists in retailing ruin to desperate and vulnerable people.

One would think that a person who talks incessantly about values would have the humility to admit he was wrong and repent for his sins. How about a new movie, "I Don’t Exist"? That, however, would take solid character - something that is sorely lacking in Mr. Throckmorton's duplicitous career. He still has not come forward with success stories from his alleged 250 clients. He is also not upfront about his cozy relationships, over the years, with right wing extremists like Bob Knight, Peter LaBarbera and Richard Cohen. (One wonders how many of these fringe elements are on his "Fav Five" speed dial? )

In promoting this fraudulent video, Throckmorton is mirroring the behavior of the American Family Association, which sells "It’s Not Gay," a title that features failed, orgy-loving Michael Johnston. Until "I Do Exist" is expunged from his website or a new version is made with the real Noe Gutierrez story, Throckmorton is no better than a shameless con artist or backcountry huckster. What kind of man claims to be moral and Christian, while consciously misleading people?

Of course, the oleaginous Throckmorton is using semantic tricks to cover his retreating behind. Dr. Duplicity spins his failure by saying it was "a snapshot in time involving 5 people who had reported shifts in sexual orientation." Well, Mr. Throckmorton, the sun has set on your movie, just like your fading and fringe career. If you have a shard of sincerity or a modicum of morality, you'll extinguish every trace of this false film and apologize to the possible victims you may have damaged.

It is time for Throckmorton to redeem himself by acknowledging - without qualification - that "ex-gays" only exist in his wild and overactive imagination. Until this time, he lacks the credentials and credibility to be taken seriously in rational discussions of sexual orientation.

Last month, Throckmorton was scheduled to speak on a panel at the American Psychiatric Association's annual meeting. No doubt, his goal was to pose in front of the APA's logo and make his junk science appear sound. At the last minute, the symposium was aborted after fellow panelist, Gene Robinson, the openly gay Episcopal Bishop of New Hampshire, withdrew.

The experience embittered Throckmorton, who promptly went on a "Sour Grapes Media Tour," portraying the APA, in right wing publications, as fearful of an honest debate. However, if Throckmorton and his right wing cronies really want a truthful discussion, why don't they propose hosting one of their own forums at Focus on the Family? Perhaps, it's because they are petrified of allowing their flock to hear what APA experts really have to say about sexual conversion programs.

Throckmorton also fails to mention that he lacks the substance to be taken seriously. He has yet to write a book, conduct a genuine study or show empirical evidence that would legitimize his efforts.

Instead of laboring in the lab, Throckmorton eschewed hard work and rented a video camera to film the fragile. The catastrophic climax to his B-movie monstrosity was a predictable end to his directing debut. That he continues to direct the right wing's ex-gay efforts shows their desperation and how far they are willing to go to spin science to justify their dubious political efforts.

13 Comments:

Last night I was listening to an interview with James Randi, the famous magician and skeptic who has devoted his life to investigating paranormal claims. He's famous for outing Uri Geller and other "psychics" as frauds on national television.

http://www.randi.org/

Well anyway, in the interview Randi pointed out that even though he has clearly exposed a number of psychics as frauds, many of them continue to practice to this day, in fact they are making millions more now than when they were debunked years ago!

His point was basically that if people want to believe something, they will. Regardless of whether there is proof of it, and even after they are directly shown that it is false.

They'll throw away common sense and logic, their money and their lives, and they'll throw their family members and friends under the bus just to hold onto the sad little delusions that they find comforting.

Ex-gays don't really exist, but the idiots claiming they do will be around for a long, long time.
posted by Anonymous, at 5/20/2008 5:48 PM

Just for the record, not all psychics are frauds. Some have been invaluable to police departments. I've even been to a few and there is no way in hell they could have 'guessed' what they knew about me and other people in my life. Even the CIA is studying (and using) it, especially remote viewing. Quantum physics has proven that the universe is holographic in nature and very much queerer (no pun intended) than we could have ever imagined.
posted by Anonymous, at 5/20/2008 9:41 PM

Wayne,
As far as I know, Throckmorton doesn't actually still sell "I Do Exist". When I was researching homophobic groups, I tried to order a copy and could not obtain one.
Hope you are doing well, Wayne.

John Weaver
posted by Anonymous, at 5/21/2008 12:52 PM

If the video is up and being promoted on his web-site - which it is - he needs to take it down. He should do everything in his power to expunge this cruel farce from the public record, as soon as humanly possible. Indeed, he should not write a single item on his vanity blog until steps have been taken to remedy the dire situation. Until "I Do Exist" vanishes, Throckmorton is a con artist.
posted by Wayne Besen, at 5/21/2008 12:55 PM

What happened to the other people in the video? Are they now claiming the same as that other guy?
posted by Anonymous, at 5/21/2008 2:25 PM

The others in the video don't count. All are "ex-gay for pay." They work for right wing outfits and ex-gay ministries, presenting a clear conflict of interest. Indeed, one is an avowed exorcist. The only non-professional "heterosexual" in the batch was Noe - and he came out. I think this says it all.

More troubling, is that Throckmorton told the Chicago Tribune that he has counselled 250 people who want to change. If he's had real world success, why did he turn to hired guns that were not his clients? Why couldn't he find a mere five out of 250 clients to step forward? Perhaps, because these success stories 'Don't Exist."
posted by Wayne Besen, at 5/21/2008 2:40 PM

Do you know their names and what payroll are they on? We should know the facts. Is this other guy making money from his new testimony that he's gay and will always be gay?
posted by Anonymous, at 5/21/2008 6:13 PM

Anonymous, here are the professional ex-gays in the video. The only one who wasn't on the dole came out:

JoAne Highly: Exorcist from Life Ministries

Arthur Goldberg: JONAH

Greg Quinlan: PFOX and some anti-gay outfit in Ohio

Sarah Lipp: Sarah Lipp is the Women’s Ministry Coordinator, HARVEST USA

Noe: The guy who came out and as far as I know is not working for an organization.
posted by Wayne Besen, at 5/21/2008 6:48 PM

One more thing. I Do Exist ex-lesbian Sarah Lipp had "fallen" once in her change process before she appeared in I Do Exist. Once again, the idea that sexual orientation, as opposed to behavior, can change is disproved.
posted by Wayne Besen, at 5/21/2008 6:53 PM

Really - all these people are paid for this?

And the one lesbian - has she "fallen" since? Is she paid?
posted by Anonymous, at 5/21/2008 10:55 PM

No answer? How can I prove what you say?
posted by Anonymous, at 5/22/2008 6:01 PM

I've done some research on your statments. Are you sure you want to stay with them or would you like to do further research and make corrections??
posted by Anonymous, at 5/24/2008 1:44 AM

warren is a paper tiger. Wasted space of a life not dealt with.
posted by Anonymous, at 5/25/2008 1:56 PM