Wayne Besen - Author, Activist, Columnist, Public Speaker

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Minnesota Scientist Accuses PFOX of Misrepresenting His Research

Dr. Gary Remafedi Says 'Ex-Gay' Group Manipulated His Study And Should Immediately Take The Distortions Off Its Website

Truth Wins Out published exclusive comments today by Gary Remafedi, M.D., M.P.H., a professor of pediatrics at the University of Minnesota, who claimed the "ex-gay" organization PFOX distorted his research findings.

On its website, PFOX expressed its displeasure with The Washington Post for publishing what it called "a sympathetic article about a 15-year-old boy named Saro who described his homosexual feelings and how Gay Straight Alliance student clubs help such gay teens to deal with discrimination and bullying in high school and middle school."

"What the article failed to describe," said PFOX Executive Director Regina Griggs, "is the danger of young sexually confused teens self-identifying as gays at an early age. Research has shown that the risk of suicide decreases by 20% each year that a person delays homosexual or bisexual self-labeling.* Early self-identification is dangerous to kids."

Dr. Remafedi's study was the one cited by PFOX to back their unfounded conclusions. Today, Dr. Reamafedi released the following comments to Truth Wins Out:

"My work has been cited by PFOX in response to a Washington Post article on gay-straight alliances (GSA)," wrote Dr. Remafedi. "PFOX misuses one of my studies on suicide attempts in gay youth to argue that people should not identify their sexual orientation at young ages. Our findings do not support the contention that young people choose their identity or the timing of events in identity formation. Nor is there any evidence that the availability of GSAs influences those developmental processes."

Remafedi's report was published in Pediatrics in 1992. The study explored patterns of sexual orientation in a representative sample of more than 34,000 Minnesota students in grades 7 to 12. PFOX, as well as Focus on the Family, distorted his findings to make the case that young people should not learn about homosexuality because they were sexually confused, and could thus be influenced by educational material.

Last year, several researchers held Dobson accountable for misrepresenting their work. Letters and videos from these scientists can be viewed at www.RespectMyResearch.org.

"We thank Dr. Remafedi for stepping forward and not allowing his research to be manipulated for political gain," said Truth Wins Out Executive Director Wayne Besen. "The right wing thrives on twisting legitimate research in its efforts to confuse people. We are doing everything in our power to stop this insidious practice."

Truth Wins Out is currently working to find examples where right wing organizations have twisted scientific work. If you have a case that is worthy of investigation, please contact TWO's Director of Research, Peter Cabrera, at petercabrera74@yahoo.com.

10 Comments:

Well I can see why coming out as gay at an earlier age might be more risky - because the poor kid might be more vulnerable to homophobic bullies at school, and their crazy parents.
posted by Anonymous, at 7/22/2008 2:57 PM

Yup, see the latest issue of Newsweek. The cover story is Murder in the 8th Grade. Of course the murderer got off with a slap on the wrist because he 'only' killed a cross-dressing gay boy.
Gary (NJ)
posted by Anonymous, at 7/22/2008 3:14 PM

Good be read both ways. The study may not have been intended to be used in that way - but it can be read to support PFOX. Writers should be more descriptive in their conclusions when presenting papars.

I know my words have been twisted to fit some one else's agenda.
posted by Anonymous, at 7/22/2008 3:39 PM

Off topic: I dont know if these 2 guys are gay, but this will bring tears to your eyes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adYbFQFXG0U&feature=rec-fresh
posted by Anonymous, at 7/22/2008 4:18 PM

The study could not have been viewed "both ways." There is one way to view it - the right and rational way. And there is the sleazy right wing way - where work is remade, like clay, to fit bigoted, twisted, hateful ideology.

There are not two sides to every story. Sometimes, evil is just plain evil - like the way PFOX bastardized this work.
posted by Wayne Besen, at 7/22/2008 7:41 PM

Wayne I think that anon was just arguing for clarity in writing, not trying to claim there are two sides to the story.

Richard Dawkins has been doing the same, warning scientists to be VERY clear and concise so their words can't get twisted (as easily) by the right wing. In his case it's the Creationist lobby he's struggling against of course, but I think the lesson is a good one for all writers.
posted by Anonymous, at 7/22/2008 9:44 PM

Thanks Eshto - that's all I'm saying. We all have to be very clear and concise in our work and how it might be interpreted by a person or group for their own purposes that do not fit our goals.

And if we find that all people named anon are right handed when they are born but show left handed signs later - then I guess that wording could be twisted somehow.
posted by Anonymous, at 7/22/2008 10:43 PM

Yeah scientists should be careful, but still, when a group like PFOX does end up misrepresenting other people's research, those homophobic bigots should take full responsibility for their actions.

Just like Dawkins doesn't blame Darwin or Carl Sagan when Creationists twist their words. He ultimately blames the Creationists for being underhanded, science-hating douchebags.
posted by Anonymous, at 7/22/2008 11:15 PM

Okay - I stand corrected. ;)
posted by Wayne Besen, at 7/23/2008 9:52 AM