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 lobbyJune 15th, 2011
It’s probably because you’re trying to figure out who that inarticulate guy was you saw on AC360. More specifically, you’re probably interested in our extensive report on the aftermath of four-year-old Kirk Murphy’s treatment by George Rekers in 1970. You can find that in our original investigation, “What Are Little Boys Made Of?” And if you are interested in learning more about the so-called “independent investigations” which supposedly showed that Kirk’s treatment rendered him straight and mentally healthy, you can find out about that in our epilogue, “The Doctor’s Word.”
One other thing. I mentioned the lack of resources for ex-gay survivors. I really do wish that there was a national hotline or a referral web site where people can find a local therapist who can help in recovering from the ex-gay experience. But there are at least a couple of resources I can recommend. First, there is the web site, Beyond Ex-Gay, where you can read personal testimonies from others who have gone through the experience and lived to tell the tale. It helps to know that you’re not alone, and the people who have posted their own stories on that site are proof that there really is life after ex-gay therapy.
And second, I heartily recommend Jallen Rix’s book, Ex-Gay No Way: Survival and Recovery from Religious Abuse
Update: If you are a therapist interested in resources in helping ex-gay survivors, the Association of Gay and Lesbian Psychiatrists is a good resource for you. Lay people, including ex-gay survivors, can also obtain help and information there.
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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.
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.
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.
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"
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Josiah
June 15th, 2011
Just to let you know: the link to the “What Are Little Boys Made Of?” series above points to an unrelated KTLA news story.
Jim Burroway
June 15th, 2011
Sorry about that. It’s fixed now.
Zaylinda
June 15th, 2011
Is it too much to hope for a clip of your interview?
TampaZeke
June 15th, 2011
Zaylinda, JoeMyGod has a clip up.
TampaZeke
June 15th, 2011
I would also point out that Box Turtle Bulletin friend Michael Bussee, one of the founders of Exodus, is a great resource for recovering “ex-gays”. He has a Facebook page called, Ex-ex-gay that would be a good first step for anyone looking for help with issues surrounding sexual orientation or recovery from “ex-gay” “therapy”.
ken
June 15th, 2011
Is the above clip all that aired on 360 last night?
Timothy Kincaid
June 15th, 2011
And, for those interested in tracking the Ex-Gay movement (and perhaps seeing what your old counselor is upto these days), there are two good sources:
Ex-Gay Watch (David Roberts)
Truth Wins Out (Wayne Besen)
Grandmère Mimi
June 15th, 2011
Jim, all things considered, you did quite well. :-) My hope is that many viewers will be led to read “What Are Little Boys Made Of?” Your reporting of the story is excellent, though the content is heart-wrenching. Still, the story is one that we need to know.
justme
June 15th, 2011
You are way too modest and it was a pleasure to see you get some of the recognition you deserve.
iDavid
June 16th, 2011
Ah so that’s what you look like! Great interview Tim, good statements, good going.
I work w men who have been sexually/romantically abused by their mothers. I am expanding to include religious sexual abuse so the book you mention is of interest. I’m going to give it a read.
Also, since there is a large gap in the exgay recovery thrapist sector, there is the segment of therapists who do work w cult survivors which could be very helpful as the gap of exgay therapists hopefully fills in more. There are many angles that are similar enough to produce positive results. Also a good general sex abuse therapist could be quite helpful.
More interviews Tim. You look good on camera.
Kerry
June 16th, 2011
I just read “The Doctor’s Word” piece and I hope and pray that you continue your investigation. Dr. Rekers is getting older and he is one of the few to carry so many secrets with him. Dear God I pray someone is able to get him to open up like the got Robert McNamara to do in that documentary “The Fog of War”. I have a feeling once Rekers loosens up, a lot of shocking stuff will come pouring out. We can’t let him go quietly into old age dementia without sharing the shameful, shocking, and outrageous things he did to young effeminate boys (while increasing his own feminine mannerisms exponentially).
Jack Johnson
June 16th, 2011
Your sis in law, Sarah, turned me on to the 360 piece last week. I don’t usually turn the TV from MSNBC but did on her rec. Glad I did. Great piece, very timely and necessary. Good work!
jack johnson
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