PSYCHED OUT
AUGUST 20, 1993 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 15
Beware of 'repair' groups-even a P-FLAG lookalike
by Mike Radice
To the public, some call it "sexual addiction" correction. Others call it exorcism. Among themselves, its called "homosexual reparative therapy." Regardless what it's called, attempting to convert homosexuals to heterosexuality has become apriority for many in the religious right movement.
Their methods are ancient, and their marketing is subtle and deceitful. They're after your soul, mind, checkbook, and insurance co-payments; and I've checked out some of the local ones for you.
Before I spill the beans on these groups, I want to make one thing clear: Homosexuals cannot be "psychotherapied" into heterosexuals. So if you want a conversion, forget it. Find yourself a same-sex date and get over it.
The fundies report, based on their own unscientific research, that they've converted "thousands" of homosexuals to heterosexuality through "homosexual reparative therapy." If that's true, it translates into a lot of miserable people.
It's likely that most of the "converted" have been bisexuals who felt compelled to make a choice to simplify their lives, despite remaining biologically and spiritually bisexual. It's tough trying to maintain multiple intimate relationships. Just ask Jimmy Bakker.
Other converts may have been "experimenting heterosexuals". It's normal and common for heteros to experiment, physically, with members of the same sex. The same is true for gays experimenting with the opposite sex.
The few remaining converts were likely self-hating individuals who lied about their
conversion to their counselors and themselves. After all, most of them were paying $90 to $200 per hour to become heterosexual, and they certainly didn't want to look like failures. I'd be willing to bet my Judy Garland CD collection that within weeks of their "conversions," they gave up masturbation and went back to sneaking around under the sheets with their own kind.
Regardless, scientifically conducted research by, nationally respected professionals reports that sexual orientation cannot be changed through therapy.
Locally, we have some fundie groups practicing variations of "homosexual reparative therapy." One of those is Pure Life Ministries, located in Lakewood. Another is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons).
I called Pure Life Ministries and asked the spokesman if one of their purposes was to make homosexuals into heterosexuals. The spokesman informed me that it was their primary purpose, and that they considered homosexuality to be a "sexual addiction" and treated it as such. I then hung up, took a deep breath, and called a local Mormon congregation to ask the same question; as some of our community members have turned to the Mormons for conversion purposes.
At the Mormon church, I was connected with a church elder. Elders are the head honchos who make all the decisions, and "repair" the homosexuals. I asked the guy my question, but he refused to answer. He did comment that Mormon congregations didn't offer counseling services to the general public.
I then called a local gay man who is an ex-
Mormon, and asked him the question. He told me that the conversion process is limited to congregation members, and is conducted by the church elders. The focus of the process relies on the threat to expel the homosexual from the church. According to my source, the elders' threat is very effective at keeping gays in their lead-lined closets. Evidently, the Mormon church has a strong psychological grip on its members.
On the national level, I ferreted out a group whose purpose is to solicit unsuspecting gay teens and their parents, to steer them into organizations and agencies set up to teach them the "evils" of homosexuality. It's known as the National Federation of Parents and Friends of Gays (NF-PFOG), and is a Washington, D.C.-based organization headed by Gene Baker.
No, NF-PFOG isn't P-FLAG, the wellknown Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. It isn't even a kissin' cousin; although Baker is obviously using P-FLAG's warm and fuzzy reputation as a mirage to allure unsuspecting innocents. [They're listed right above P-FLAG in the Gayellow Pages. -Ed.]
I first encountered Mr. Baker on the Prodigy bulletin boards, while he was in the process of soliciting gay teens to become NF-PFOG members. Prodigy is a national computer bulletin board and information
service. I proceeded to engage him in electronic chatter for several weeks, and managed to schmooze a copy of NF-PFOG's statement of purpose.
The document makes no gay-affirming statements, refers to gay people as "nonheterosexuals," and states that NFPFOG's mission is to help "nonheterosexuals" and their parents sort through any confusions over sexual orientation issues.
Clearly, these three groups are not alone among northeast Ohio's fundie quicksand traps. However, they represent a good cross section of what's out there; so beware. If you're in the process of seeking therapy or a support group, and want to avoid groups like these, ask them the following questions:
Is this a gay-affirmative organization? Do you believe that homosexuality is a sin?
Do you believe that sexual orientation can be changed?
If you don't get the answers Yes, No, and No to those three questions, politely excuse yourself and go elsewhere, as you're probably sitting with a person who practices "homosexual reparative therapy."
Next column: the history of lesbianism.
Mike Radice is a Cleveland psychologist, specializing in working with children.
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