I referred to this below, but now we have the video. In a pathetic attempt to appear “fair,” CNN decided to bring Richard Cohen, noted expert on nothing, on to spew his disproven nonsense. He claims that he’s helped “thousands” of men and women “overcome” their homosexuality, and change into heterosexuals, a specious claim that even most of the anti-science zealots on his own side have given up. He uses a “factsheet” [sic] from a group calling itself the American College of Pediatricians in order to lend credence to his claims that homosexuality is caused by Richard Cohen’s mom, whom he has forgiven through the holy power of tennis racket and pillow. Jeremy Hooper has done the legwork in exposing the “American College of Pediatricians” as a group of like-minded fringe anti-scientific, non-credentialed wingnuts attempting to pose as experts by using such a smarty-pants sounding name. Also, there’s a plug for NARTH, the group which lies and claims to be secular, while being wholly staffed by extremist gay-obsessed conservatives Christians. The dishonesty of these people is stunning, really.

Note, also, that the subject matter they brought Richard in to discuss has nothing to do with Richard’s for-profit business. Nothing.

(h/t Good-As-You)

God, Kyra. What on earth were you all thinking?

This has been buzzing around for the last hour, and people are pissed. I haven’t seen the video yet, but it seems that Kyra Phillips did a report on “ex-gays,” and here’s how it went down:

CNN’s Kyra Phillips just ran a repulsive and shockingly irresponsible segment…in which she asked, “Homosexuality ‚ÄîIs it a problem in need of a cure?”

She then brought on crackpot “ex-gay” Richard Cohen, spewing lies about how people can change their sexuality and become straight, with nobody to rebut his disproven arguments. (You may remember when Rachel Maddow ripped Cohen to shreds over Uganda).

First of all, Kyra: The fact that you asked this question is beyond the pale, because it’s been answered, repeatedly, by every credible mental health and medical organization, going all the way back to the early 1970′s! No, Kyra, it’s not a “problem in need of a cure,” and it’s absurd that you would ask the question. I know that CNN is failing miserably right now, and I know that the Murdoch empire has pressured mainstream media organizations to seek faux “balance” in all areas, but this is insane. Will we next see a story on CNN about someone who has left the negro lifestyle? I mean, you’re just asking the questions, right? Because yes, that would be the same, in terms of journalistic integrity.

And CNN, are you really not aware of Richard Cohen? If not, let us help, because his antics have been covered here thoroughly, from his ties to the anti-gay genocide bill in Uganda, his man-cuddling ministry, his activities with the hate group PFOX, and so on.

Why don’t you spend a little time doing some damn research before you go on the air with imbecilic nonsense?

THANKS.

Video when it’s available.

(h/t Joe Sudbay)

UPDATE: Speaking of ex-gay crackpots, Bryan Safi tore Richard Cohen a new one in a particularly memorable episode of “That’s Gay”:

(h/t Joe.My.God)