News, analysis and fact-checking of anti-gay rhetoric
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Gay Couples Excluded from Immigration Bill Markup
How To Spot A Swivel-Eyed Loon
The Daily Agenda for Wednesday, May 22
House of Commons officially passes marriage equality
British Commons Approves Marriage Equality Bill
Email address of Attorney General prosecuting 18 year old Florida lesbian
Gay Man's Murder Sparks Massive Rally
Featured Reports
What Are Little Boys Made Of?
In this original BTB Investigation, we unveil the tragic story of Kirk Murphy, a four-year-old boy who was treated for “cross-gender disturbance” in 1970 by a young grad student by the name of George Rekers. This story is a stark reminder that there are severe and damaging consequences when therapists try to ensure that boys will be boys.
Slouching Towards Kampala: Uganda’s Deadly Embrace of Hate
When we first reported on three American anti-gay activists traveling to Kampala for a three-day conference, we had no idea that it would be the first report of a long string of events leading to a proposal to institute the death penalty for LGBT people. But that is exactly what happened. In this report, we review our collection of more than 500 posts to tell the story of one nation’s embrace of hatred toward gay people. This report will be updated continuously as events continue to unfold. Check here for the latest updates.
David Benkof: Behind the Mask
At first glance, David Benkof appears to be a young gay man who believes that same-sex marriage will damage the institution of marriage, that there are better options for gay couples than marriage, that the community should join him in prioritizing other more pressing issues, and that the marriage discussion is harming the efforts of gay couples in red states to get recognition for their unions. He also claims that he’s a gay columnist, that he speaks for an influential collection of gay thinkers, and that he is part of the gay and lesbian community and that he shares our goals and dreams. But none of that is true.
“Repeat After Me”: The Reparative Therapy Echo Chamber
The April 2008 edition of the pay-to-publish vanity journal Psychological Reports featured a new report from NARTH. Written by NARTH president A. Dean Byrd, past president Joseph Nicolosi, and Richard W. Potts, the report carries the unwieldy but self-descriptive title, “Clients perceptions of how reorientation therapy and self-help can promote changes in sexual orientation.” While the title describes what the authors meant to show — how clients describe the benefits of reparative therapy — the report itself actually illustrates something very different: the ex-gay movement’s remarkable ability to instill an almost robot-like parroting of ex-gay rhetoric among their clients.
Testing the Premise: Is MRSA The New Gay Plague?
The Toronto Star said that a new study “discover[ed] a new strain” of a super-bug “hitting gay men.” Headlines in Britain screamed, “Flesh-eating bug strikes San Francisco’s gay community,” and anti-gay extremists across America spread the alarm that gays were introducing another plague into “the general population.” But there was a small problem with all of this: None of it is true!
Paul Cameron’s World
In 2005, the Southern Poverty Law Center wrote that “[Paul] Cameron’s ‘science’ echoes Nazi Germany.” What the SPLC didn”t know was Cameron doesn’t just “echo” Nazi Germany. He quoted extensively from one of the Final Solution’s architects. This puts his fascination with quarantines, mandatory tattoos, and extermination being a “plausible idea” in a whole new and deeply disturbing light.
From the Inside: Focus on the Family’s “Love Won Out”
On February 10, I attended an all-day “Love Won Out” ex-gay conference in Phoenix, put on by Focus on the Family and Exodus International. In this series of reports, I talk about what I learned there: the people who go to these conferences, the things that they hear, and what this all means for them, their families and for the rest of us.
Prologue: Why I Went To “Love Won Out”
Part 1: What’s Love Got To Do With It?
Part 2: Parents Struggle With “No Exceptions”
Part 3: A Whole New Dialect
Part 4: It Depends On How The Meaning of the Word "Change" Changes
Part 5: A Candid Explanation For "Change"
The Heterosexual Agenda: Exposing The Myths
At last, the truth can now be told.
Using the same research methods employed by most anti-gay political pressure groups, we examine the statistics and the case studies that dispel many of the myths about heterosexuality. Download your copy today!
And don't miss our companion report, How To Write An Anti-Gay Tract In Fifteen Easy Steps.
Testing The Premise: Are Gays A Threat To Our Children?
Anti-gay activists often charge that gay men and women pose a threat to children. In this report, we explore the supposed connection between homosexuality and child sexual abuse, the conclusions reached by the most knowledgeable professionals in the field, and how anti-gay activists continue to ignore their findings. This has tremendous consequences, not just for gay men and women, but more importantly for the safety of all our children.
Straight From The Source: What the “Dutch Study” Really Says About Gay Couples
Anti-gay activists often cite the “Dutch Study” to claim that gay unions last only about 1½ years and that the these men have an average of eight additional partners per year outside of their steady relationship. In this report, we will take you step by step into the study to see whether the claims are true.
The FRC’s Briefs Are Showing
Tony Perkins’ Family Research Council submitted an Amicus Brief to the Maryland Court of Appeals as that court prepared to consider the issue of gay marriage. We examine just one small section of that brief to reveal the junk science and fraudulent claims of the Family “Research” Council.
Review: The Gay Report
When Karla Jay and Allan Young published The Gay Report in 1979, it quickly a favorite source of statistics for many anti-gay extremists. But before you accepts these statistic at face value, you should examine the inner workings of this survey very carefully. What you learn might surprise you.
Daniel Fetty Doesn’t Count
The FBI’s annual Hate Crime Statistics aren’t as complete as they ought to be, and their report for 2004 was no exception. In fact, their most recent report has quite a few glaring holes. Holes big enough for Daniel Fetty to fall through.
Emily K
March 10th, 2008 | LINK
i can’t tell if it’s serious…
Timothy Kincaid
March 10th, 2008 | LINK
Emily, I agree it is not a clear as it could be that this is a parody. However, the address given is the same as Westboro Baptist Church so it’s pretty much a given.
The sad thing is that proposing castration SHOULD be so bizzare that it is immediately known to be a joke. Unfortunately, I’m sure there are plenty who would find this a perfectly acceptable “cure”.
Ben in Oakland
March 10th, 2008 | LINK
I was thoroughly expecting them to have death as the final solution,the way it usually is, because even castration is not going to make a gay man less gay, any more than castrating a straight man etc…
I guess it just removes the “occasion for sin”
Jason D
March 10th, 2008 | LINK
well these jumped out at me:
“If you are truly ready to commit yourself seriously and without reservation to having your biologically based desires removed forever, contact us as soon as possible and start down the road to salvation.”
Biologically based desires? Doesn’t sound in line with the teaching that being gay is a sinful, addictive lifestyle choice.
“Insurance typically does not cover our treatment, but funding from our supporters allows Eunicure to provide our Basic Procedure at no cost to the patient.”
Medical procedures ain’t cheap, I doubt any non-profit can afford to pay for this.
Plus it seems like this whole procedure would run afowl of the hippocratic oath, or some other such medical “law” that prevents a surgeon from mutilating patients for someone else’s gain.
and this gem from the FAQ made me laugh out loud
“Q What can I expect after the procedure is complete?
The main effect will be a complete lack of sexual desire of any kind.”
Which I’ve always maintained to be correct. I am not a straight house covered in gay paint. If you removed my homosexuality, I would be neutered.
This is either a joke. Or the scary answer to the notion that finding the biological/genetic/chemical source of homosexuality would end the argument.
TJ McFisty
March 10th, 2008 | LINK
Awesome! I was looking to get my head removed as well as my hair was really bothering me this morning. Stupid waxy pomade.
Hopefully, I can get a Fundiddly Christian to expense that, as well.
(the testi-monials kinda told me it was a joke…if it’s not, then it’s even funnier)
Barry
March 10th, 2008 | LINK
Their cure: It is more blessed to receive than to give.
So it would not be “one-hundred percent effective treatment” after all.
Stefano
March 10th, 2008 | LINK
Timothy:
I see on their contact page they give an address to direct inquires to:
3701 SW 12th St.
Topeka, KS 66604
But the site registrant gives an address located in The Woodlands, TX.
Phelps uses speakfree.net
This eunicure uses nearlyfreespeech.net
— A name that in itself gave me a chuckle.
Bottom line is, my inclination is to HOPE this is a parody despite the address given, and that the given address is a means to spam/harass Westborrow.
Who knows.
Stefano
March 10th, 2008 | LINK
PS: The only phone number given on the contact page is a Seattle Washington exchange number.
Stefano
March 10th, 2008 | LINK
PSS
Whoops! No! 913 is Kansas. Sorry!
Jim Burroway
March 10th, 2008 | LINK
Just for the record, I am 99.44% positive this is satire, which is why I posted it with no additional comment. I mean, c’mon… references to Phelps, free surgeries (who ever heard of a free surgery without any reference to ability to pay? Love In Action, on the other hand, costs thousands), and when you google map the address, it’s in a tree-covered residential area.
How many other clues can you find?
Larry
March 10th, 2008 | LINK
It made me cross my legs and wince. And what about women? No mention (that I could find) of oophorectomies for the ladies.
Jason D
March 10th, 2008 | LINK
“It made me cross my legs and wince. And what about women? No mention (that I could find) of oophorectomies for the ladies.”
Larry, don’t you know two chicks is totally hot, and totally not a big deal because women aren’t real people anyway?
(sarcasm intended)
werdna
March 10th, 2008 | LINK
My favorite part:
“Unlike like what so many assume, no incision is made in the scrotum, the fleshy sack that contains the testicles. Instead a small incision is made in the abdomen and the testicles are pushed out through the incision from underneath.”
Yeah, it’s a parody, but deadpan enough to piss people off (as good parody should, IMHO).
werdna
March 10th, 2008 | LINK
A small correction, I should’ve said “satire” rather than “parody.”
risa bear
March 10th, 2008 | LINK
Hmm. But, you know, I had all this equipment for 56 years and was always straight. Then, after a course of hormone treatments, had the the ovoids removed and everything else flipped inside and made into a neovagina. And then I began to notice guys — although I’m taken — 31 years of happy marriage.
NOW the Westboro types tell me I’m a homo, except when they call me a lesbian (which I agree with). And a lot of courts and legislatures agree with them.
So I’m not sure we can say 100% here …
risa b
O. YeahSure
March 10th, 2008 | LINK
This has GOT to be a joke!
If not though…
These fanatics are located at:
3701 SW 12th St.
Topeka, KS 66604
Kansas is noted for tornados and is just the place for all this hot air. Of noted irony, it’s also Dorothy’s home…could these maniacs be the spawn of the wicked witch of the west? I THINK SO!
Really though, follow the buck…just an appeal at religiously insane for their money. The rise of legally defined juveniles admitting they are gay, is a whole new market for these fear mongoring, meat-chopping, money hungry “doctors.” They want to make it their EMERALD City with body parts instead of fields of poppies. “Doctor(s), heal thyself(ves).”
Dead Elephants
March 10th, 2008 | LINK
Jason D
March 10th, 2008 | LINK
well these jumped out at me:
“If you are truly ready to commit yourself seriously and without reservation to having your biologically based desires removed forever, contact us as soon as possible and start down the road to salvation.”
“Biologically based desires? Doesn’t sound in line with the teaching that being gay is a sinful, addictive lifestyle choice.”
Could be they are hedging their bets.
“Insurance typically does not cover our treatment, but funding from our supporters allows Eunicure to provide our Basic Procedure at no cost to the patient.”
“Medical procedures ain’t cheap, I doubt any non-profit can afford to pay for this.”
There are lots of charities around that pay for various operations.
“Plus it seems like this whole procedure would run afowl of the hippocratic oath, or some other such medical “law” that prevents a surgeon from mutilating patients for someone else’s gain.”
Transgender surgery goes on all the time. Don’t see your point.
“and this gem from the FAQ made me laugh out loud
“Q What can I expect after the procedure is complete?”
The main effect will be a complete lack of sexual desire of any kind.”
“Which I’ve always maintained to be correct. I am not a straight house covered in gay paint. If you removed my homosexuality, I would be neutered.
“This is either a joke. Or the scary answer to the notion that finding the biological/genetic/chemical source of homosexuality would end the argument.”
Yeah, that last seems right to me. Never saw why choice vs. genetics made a difference. It’s like loving or hating lima beans – doesn’t matter where it comes from.
Ruslan Porshnev
March 10th, 2008 | LINK
Castration once was really practiced to “eliminate” homosexuality, but it proved to be a failure.
Dan Mushrush
March 12th, 2008 | LINK
I found two Craigslist ads promoting the “service”, New York and San Francisco.
http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/ths/601078743.html
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/ths/601048395.html
Jason D
March 12th, 2008 | LINK
Dead Elephants
* Jason D said: “Plus it seems like this whole procedure would run afowl of the hippocratic oath, or some other such medical “law” that prevents a surgeon from mutilating patients for someone else’s gain.”
Dead Elephants said:
Transgender surgery goes on all the time. Don’t see your point.*
The two are not analogous. You can’t just tapdance into the operating room and get a sex-change. It is a long and (from what I understand) frustrating process. For example,a MTF transgendered person has to live as a woman for at least a year, not to mention the extensive psychological observation and scrutiny. They essentially have to exhaust other options, and convince both their shrink, and the surgeon that this really is the best solution. They have to convince not only themselves but other medical professionals that they are, truly, emotionally, absolutely, a woman trapped in a man’s body.
That’s a far cry from someone suggesting the best way to treat their homosexual desires is to cut off their genitals.
Think about it. In the Transsexual situation you have someone who is “A” but feels they should be “B”, so they have surgery to transform their physical appearance from A to B, and take hormones to help.
In this surgery situation, it’s much different. We have someone who is “G” but wants to be “S”. There’s no surgery to turn a G into a S, so instead they’re willing to become…well…not a letter at all.
A better analogy for this surgery is suicide. In both situations the person is fighting something they feel is impossible to overcome, and rather than accepting or dealing with it, they give up, and do something desperate that doesn’t solve the problem, but allows them to not have to deal with it anymore.
Doctors aren’t waitstaff, waiting to take your order. Doctors don’t generally go around cutting off perfectly healthy organs just because the patient doesn’t want them. Their responsibility is to the health and well-being of the patient, which doesn’t always line up with patient desire.
Christine
March 12th, 2008 | LINK
I would be a lesbian whether or not I had a clitoris. These people just don’t get it, which of course, we already knew.
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