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Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays (PFOX) is teaming up with various anti-gay legal groups to intimidate GLBT campus organizations in high schools, colleges and universities. They are threatening to sue if these organizations don't distribute the bizarre theories of Richard Cohen.
It is hard to believe, but Cohen is the former President of PFOX. They still promote his books and training sessions. And, if you ask for a speaker - they will likely send you Mr. Cohen - who was expelled for life from the American Counseling Association. If PFOX tries to get into your school, simply show administrators this clip of Cohen from the documentary, "Chasing the Devil." It is clear, based on this clip - and his record - that disseminating PFOX's material may put students at risk. Any responsible school that protects its students will not allow PFOX near campus.
17 Comments:
This sounds like an effort to bankrupt queer student groups.
posted by libhom, at
3/22/2009 7:08 AM
Libhom,
That's why all GLBT student groups should simply burn Cohen's TV appearances on DVDR, and distribute the videos to the appropriate people.
posted by S., at
3/22/2009 10:55 AM
I would like to get more details on this. Are you saying that PFOX and these other groups are actually demanding that lgbt groups distribute anti-gay theories like Cohen's? If so, this definitely warrants more attention.
posted by BlackTsunami, at
3/22/2009 12:07 PM
Yes - PFOX is threatening lawsuits unless universities place PFOX materials in their LGBT Centers.
I do not see how they can win a lawsuit. They can have a room to discuss their feelings like any other twelve step program. I would not object to that. I would not attend and may protest but putting my 2 cents on paper about high cholesterol does not warrant permission from every cardiology dept. making it available to their patrons. As i said and still feel, Cohen is TAWISTED..... and an angry little putz too. You all know she was battered on the play ground. Look inside the eyes. That is the only empathy i am giving out.
posted by Spouse Walker, at
3/22/2009 2:33 PM
mail, I object to giving even the slightest recognition or giving him space. There is enough hatred doctrine on school campuses without this wacko. I don't see the comparison between denying sexual orientation with this crap to 12 step programs or high cholesterol? Maybe I'm missing something.
posted by TrevorHere, at
3/22/2009 3:34 PM
Black Tsunami:
Personally I know that PFOX called up our campus LGBT center and demanded they post information about ex-gays on their website, or else they would sue. Seems to be one of the things they do with themselves. I'm guessing they have some sort of distorted "academic freedom" argument to go along with it, similar to the creationism/intelligent design crowd.
I do think LGBT campus centers should provide information about the ex-gay movement - accurate information, that they are junk science and denounced by every reputable medical and scientific organization in the country; and likewise provide links to TWO, Respect My Research, SoulForce, etc.
Our campus center included the links they wanted, with a disclaimer that they were junk science. I thought it was too charitable. I would have created an entire page on reparative therapy from an objective scientific perspective that focused primarily on statements by the APA and other credible sources; then as an afterthought I would provide the links to NARTH or whatever, in case anyone was curious about them or wanted to do research.
And I sure as hell wouldn't put it anywhere near a "resources" page, which I think is where PFOX wanted it.
posted by Ryan Grant Long, at
3/22/2009 4:38 PM
What a joke! "P-FOX" does not have the money to sue! Why don't the spineless wimps at Universities tell them to fuck off? Would they allow a Holocaust denialist "equal time" on a University website? There may be a legal right to rent a room (if the University receives public funding) so let them have their room. But they do not have a right to equal time on a University website. Richard Cohen is one sick f***.
posted by Chris L., at
3/22/2009 4:57 PM
Cohen's got them bad eyes like a gypsy!
posted by Anonymous, at
3/22/2009 4:58 PM
Trevorhere: Rest assured their focus is not to DENY sexual orientation. That is a smokescreen. They are attacking it! We must be careful of silencing others unless we seek the same thing for ourselves. They cannot win a lawsuit. It is nothing more than an attention grabber. No one can demand a christian group on any campus to hand out leaflets on evolution. This is no different. The ONLY statement gay groups should be putting out is "WE WILL SEE YOU IN COURT." We are fighting the personal morality of an extreme subgroup. Bring it on. They are dangerous and should be exposed on transcript.
posted by Spouse Walker, at
3/23/2009 2:37 AM
When the Wow Gold wolf finally found the Buy Wow Goldhole in the chimney he crawled wow gold cheap down and KERSPLASH right into that kettle of water and that was cheapest wow gold the end of his troubles with the big bad wolf.
Having known Mr. Cohen.. for 18 years... during the time.. when we shared membership.. in the Unification Church.."MOVEMENT!" All I can say.. is that he is happy with the Choice to CHANGE from his.. ways.. Succeeded and he is happy.. that is all well and good. But.. having heard some of his views and thoughts. I find it troublesome. In his views that Studys.. should continue into what makes..people gay. It brings to mind. The PROGRAMS..and STUDYS.. of NAZI Germany where they.. studied peoples.. MAKE UP.. to decide whether they were FIT.. to be part of their.. MASTER PLANNED SOCIETY! I would suggest Mr. Cohen and his.. ilk.. to read a book called CROSSOVERS.. by Sidney Schwartz and Rev. Carl Hewitt. Mr. Cohen is free to have his feelings and views.. but not shove them..as being FACTS! A FACT IS>> I WAS A MOONIE. ANOTHER FACT IS>> I CHOSE TO NO LONGER BE A MOONIE.. AT ONE POINT. ANOTHER FACT IS.. I DO NOT CHOOSE..AND DID NOT CHOOSE.. MY FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS.. THEY JUST ARE. AND.. THAT I WAS GAY THEN.. AND I AM STILL JUST ME AND STILL.. GAY! INSPITE.. of attempts by the MOVEMENT.. to CHANGE ME!
posted by Anonymous, at
7/23/2010 3:52 AM
