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.

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.

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.

“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.

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…