(Warren Throckmorton, Left)
Sources have informed TruthWinsOut.org that Monday’s symposium featuring infamous “ex-gay” therapist Dr. Warren Throckmorton has been cancelled. The forum, “A Pastoral Approach for Gay & Lesbian People Troubled by Homosexuality,” suffered a major blow when panelist, Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, pulled out of the event. Robinson expressed concern that the symposium, scheduled to take place the same week as the APA’s annual meeting in Washington, would be used as a public relations gimmick for Focus on the Family.
“The cancellation of this forum is welcome news because it gave the wrong impression that the American Psychiatric Association endorsed ‘ex-gay’ therapy, when, in fact, the organization soundly rejects such therapies,” said TWO Executive Director Wayne Besen.
Predictably, on his blog, Throckmorton claimed that the APA is “apparently afraid of a conversation.” What he conveniently failed to mention was that this discussion ended three decades ago and his side was defeated because they lacked scientific credibility. They have yet to provide a shred of evidence supporting the efficacy of ex-gay therapy, while there is evidence that such methods cause a great deal of harm.
“Throckmorton ‘counsels’ vulnerable gay people to either live a lifetime of loneliness or a lifetime of lies. This is neither healthy nor therapeutic and it’s a diagnosis for disaster,” said Besen.
David Scasta, the openly gay psychiatrist who shamelessly promoted the seminar, has not publicly commented on the events cancellation.
Tags: Focus on the Family, psychiatry, religion, Warren ThrockmortonRelated posts
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“there is evidence that such methods cause a great deal of harm.”
What evidence? Please provide this evidence.
Comment by Question — May 1, 2008 @ 1:10 pm
I suggest you go on this website and check out the video section. If you open your eyes and ears, the evidence is overwhelming. There is actually a Survivors group at Beyond Ex Gay. Now, why would there be such a group if damage had not occurred?
Finally, even Exodus admits the vast majority of people don’t change. What happens to the majority? They suffer a great deal of harm. For you to suggest otherwise is patently absurd and at serious odds with reality. Try putting aside your agenda and maybe you will hear the cries of the victims all around you.
Comment by Wayne Besen — May 1, 2008 @ 1:19 pm
In a way, I am glad that the Bishop signed up and then subsequently rescinded his RSVP to attend. If you think about it, the Bishop’s celebrity (for lack of a better word) had brought attention to the issue in the first place, and the fact that he then backed out is perhaps what made people rethink and question these wackos’ philosophy and methods. Looks like it may have worked, seeing that the symposium appears to be all but cancelled!
Comment by Chris L — May 1, 2008 @ 6:39 pm
“What evidence? Please provide this evidence.”
–
You can also try Google:
ex-gay harm
Comment by Emproph — May 1, 2008 @ 7:57 pm
“What evidence? Please provide this evidence.”
This is most likely that same anonymous person who constantly asks naive, child-like questions on Besen’s personal blog, but isn’t genuinely interested in any answers.
Comment by Eshto — May 2, 2008 @ 1:07 am
“What evidence? Please provide this evidence.” How about the personal stories those harmed by the ex-gay movement? I can give you lots of examples. I helped start this mess 30 years ago and regret that I ever did.
Comment by Michael Bussee — May 2, 2008 @ 12:02 pm
Question, I’ll give you a piece of evidence as to how much harm “ex-gay therapy” does:
Prior to being led into “ex-gay therapy”, I’d say my family and I got along well. Shortly after that experience with the “ex-gay” pervert, I took off out of town, and rarely speak to them nowadays.
For the past decade, they’ve tried to get me to visit more often, and even relocate near them - but as I tell em: “I don’t and won’t trust you”.
Sounds pretty damaging to me. And that’s just MY story, among countless others.
Comment by Scott — May 2, 2008 @ 2:26 pm
from what i understand this was arrange by a gay person? why would a gay person start this quack forum?
http://www.queersunited.blogspot.com
Comment by queerunity — May 8, 2008 @ 2:32 pm
[…] fuming from the American Psychiatric Association’s cancellation of the “Quack Panel” he was scheduled to appear on this week, notorious “ex-gay” therapist Warren […]
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