Box Turtle Bulletin
News and commentary about the anti-gay lobby“Now you must raise your children up in a world where that union of man and box turtle is on the same legal footing as man and wife…”
News and commentary about the anti-gay lobbySeptember 24th, 2007
Warren Throckmorton is not a sociopath. Since I can attest to this, I thought I ought to clear that up. I recently made the error of standing on the sidelines while one of my good friends, Wayne Besen, crossed a line. Since then, a few concerned citizens from all sides have been calling me on this off-line. And so I offer my apologies for not dealing with that matter sooner and more forthrightly as I should have. Wayne agrees:
“I apologize for calling Dr. Throckmorton a sociopath – it was over the top. I was just trying to point out that I find his attitude towards ex-gay survivors insensitive, at times. However, my diagnoses was uncalled for and I regret using that term to describe him.”
So now I think we can all put this behind us and play nice. Whadayasay?
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Warren Throckmorton
September 25th, 2007
While it would be more appropriate for Wayne to apologize to the person he defamed, I do appreciate the post here. Apologies accepted.
Wayne Besen
September 25th, 2007
Warren:
Please do not confuse my apology for the term “sociopath” with what I think of your work. I think you owe an apology to the victims of ex-gay therapy.
1) I find it abusive when you claim, “I have never found evidence of electroshock treatment being used anyway.” Would you like to meet some victims?
2) I find it abusive when you claim, “Where’s the evidence for the contention of harm?” Perhaps, you should have joined us at the Ex-Gay Survivors conference.
3) I find it abusive when you dismiss victims by saying, “I submit that there are reasons to be cautious about client reports of dissatisfaction with psychotherapy that are not counterbalanced with reports of the therapists involved.
4) I find it glib when you say, “Most people who stop smoking report cravings but don’t give into them. Does this minimize their status as former smokers?” I resent my love being compared to smoking. I find that extreme.
5) I find your methods bizarre when you suggest that homosexuality can be cured though teaching “self-understanding and assertiveness.”
6) I find it equally odd that you believe that if some homosexuals take anti-anxiety drugs, they can go straight.
Dr. Throckmorton, your views are quite fringe, in spite of how you work to present yourself to mainstream audiences. While I apologize for a word, you must apologize for much more. You can begin by apologizing for your homophobic video “I Do Exist” which opens in front of New York porn shops, signifying gay life.
Now that I have shown you how to apologize…by all means…
Wayne Besen
September 25th, 2007
I almost forgot Warren’s infamous quote:
“The last issue that has been advanced to prove conversion therapy is harmful is the supposed link between youth suicide and conversion therapy. Let me say this clearly: there are no data supporting any such link.”
Warren you aren’t seriously suggesting that some youths don’t kill themselves when they realize they are gay. I’m sure there are many readers on this site that might like to share such an experience and educate you on this matter.
Jason
September 25th, 2007
“4) I find it glib when you say, “Most people who stop smoking report cravings but don’t give into them. Does this minimize their status as former smokers?†I resent my love being compared to smoking. I find that extreme.”
I quit smoking 3 years ago, and quit drinking. I haven’t had any sort of craving for either of them in over a year….which would be where the smoking analogy falls apart. My cravings ended, the ex-gays never leave their homosexuality behind. The most “successful” still report thoughts and desires for years later.
Jerry
September 25th, 2007
“I quit smoking 3 years ago, and quit drinking. I haven’t had any sort of craving for either of them in over a year….which would be where the smoking analogy falls apart. My cravings ended, the ex-gays never leave their homosexuality behind. The most “successful†still report thoughts and desires for years later.”
I’d like to second that. I beat smoking, drinking, and a cocaine addiction almost a decade ago. Today, I don’t experience cravings for any of them. My desire for sex and love, on the other hand, is a built in feature of my species, and it never went away no matter what tricks I tried.
Randi Schimnosky
September 27th, 2007
Warren said “Most people who stop smoking report cravings but don’t give into them. Does this minimize their status as former smokers?â€
Gays aren’t defined by sexual activity, what makes a person gay is sexual desire. Many virgins are gay. Simply ceasing gay sex doesn’t make one “ex-gay”, the desires remain and the person is still gay.
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