International Healing Foundation comes out?

Or something.
Richard Cohen’s International Healing Foundation has re-invented itself as a LGBTQU (U for unwanted) organization on a new website called Coming Out Loved.
On Coming Out Loved, gay affirming people can find a page full of LGB resources as well as an apology from Cohen:

We at IHF wish to offer a sincere, heartfelt apology to everyone in the LGBTQ community who may have been hurt by our message of “change.” As the director of IHF, I apologize and ask your forgiveness. I did not realize that by stating, “Change is Possible,” some would be offended. That was the furthest thing from my heart and mind. To think that our message of “change” would cause further pain to LGBTQ youth and adults is painful to imagine … I am deeply and profoundly sorry.

Really? Is this a sign of the apocalypse?
Whatever it is, I doubt it is going very far. The website also has the old references to same-sex attraction being caused by environment and family background, and to treatment to resolve “unwanted same-sex attraction.” NARTH’s protocol for change therapy is there along with the old list of reparative therapists for referral. Cohen is still offering his book Coming Out Straight, one of the most direct promotions of the change paradigm ever. Moreover, Chris Doyle is speaking this weekend at the NARTH conference, along with a speaker who promotes criminalization of homosexuality.
Perhaps I am cynical, but the changes just look like business as usual along with a parody of gay affirming therapy.

 
 
 
But then again, in the promo video for the new attitude, there is a rainbow flag. (Note the flag circled in the screen cap to the left).
 
 
 
I am looking forward to seeing reaction from AFTAH, PFOX, Liberty Counsel, JONAH and the like.
Seriously, if the IHF crew want to be taken seriously, they need to explain more about how and why they are expecting people to trust them. Also, if the same touch therapy and pillow beating protocols are on the table, then taking a neutral stance is still not enough to address concerns about their work.
 

70 thoughts on “International Healing Foundation comes out?”

  1. Mary# ~ Nov 4, 2011 at 9:13 am
    “It’s sort of like the idea that reality tv takes such a place in the market place that we know people are interested in it. That’s an observation.”
    also, “Reality” tv has little to do with actual reality.
    “Same with sexual addiction. Look at where the sex industry is marketing.”
    Mostly straight males. There are many niche markets as well, that target gays, women, fetishists etc. However, the bulk of the porn industry is still aimed at straight men.
    And I am curious about how you define a “sexual addiction”? What do you consider the criteria to be?

  2. Ken you missed the point. The so called reality tv shows are watched by a huge audience – so the so called reality shows are abundantly programmed on tv.
    Also, if you re-read what I wrote – I said the proportion of gay men in the gay population has a higher sex addiction rate than the proportion of straight men in straight population. This means that of course there are less gay men who are sexual addicts because there are simply less gay men. It is the ratio I am speaking about.
    I consider my friend who has sex with several different men a week to be a sex addict.

  3. Mary# ~ Nov 4, 2011 at 4:26 pm
    “I consider my friend who has sex with several different men a week to be a sex addict.”
    Is that your criteria then, number of sex partners (as opposed to number of sexual encounters)? I.e. if a guys has sex 10 times a week, you would consider him an addict if it was with 10 different people (or some number greater than N) but not if it were with the same person (or some number less than N)?
    I agree with Michael, I think you are letting your personal biases to color your judgment.

  4. Mary is still stating an opinion about gay men based on her personal observation — that they are more likely to have sexual addiction. She says she is basing this on her estimation of “gay websites v straight websites.” Is that a reliable measure? Hardly.
    It seems to me that there is a whole lot more straight porn out there than gay porn — if that’s the measure of “addiction”. That’s my impression anyway. How does she count these? Again, this “ratio” she is asserting with such confidence is a personal opinion, not an established fact.
    She has made the claim. It is up to her to support it.

  5. Found this recent post on the IHF Facebook page:

    “I would like to remind all supporters of IHF that we are a scientific, therapeutic organization. We do not take part in political activities, nor will we allow posts on our Facebook page to discuss political topics. We love and support all SSA persons, whether they choose to change or live a gay life.”

    Scientific? Therapeutic?
    http://www.facebook.com/groups/166704399994/393806199994/?ref=notif&notif_t=like#!/pages/International-Healing-Foundation/34654541089

  6. Also, Richard Cohen’s life as he describes it in his life story is a complete zig and zag story. First I’m gay, then I’m not, I am married, but then I am gay again, I live in New York, but wait, no let’s go move to Seattle. It’s like a ping pong ball.
    Also when I read this,

    Jae Sook and I attended an EXODUS Conference in 1987, just after I had my breakthrough with David. (EXODUS is the umbrella organization for the ex-gay Christian ministries around the world.) There I prayed to God to show us the next step-what to do and where to go. Each day at the conference, I prayed for God’s guidance, but nothing came. Finally, the conference ended. I walked to a nearby lake. I knelt down and prayed, “OK, God, it’s showdown time! I’m not moving from this spot until you tell me what to do and where to go. Even if I die sitting here, so be it. I await your guidance.” Then the directions came clearly: “Move to Seattle, receive help for your marriage, get an education, and then reach out to help other people.” In amazement, I asked, “Would you please repeat that one more time?” The words came one more time, exactly as I had heard them before.
    I told Jae Sook what I had received. We both prayed about this for several weeks until we were certain that this was God’s desire for our lives. When it became clear that this was to be, I quit my job. We packed an eighteen-foot truck with our belongings, said good-bye to our friends in New York City, and headed off to Seattle. There we started a new life, not knowing what God had in store for us.

    I thought, “Isn’t it funny how God just happens to tell you that which you really wanted to hear? Gee what a coincidence.” I am very suspicious of people who claim to have heard God actually speak to them, and then God, as requested, repeated it for him. It was another zig zag move across country. I can’t believe somebody focuses so much of their life on themselves. He has a wife and kids but he is out zigging and zagging going to this church, first I am Jewish, zig, oh no I’m not, now I am Christian, zag, oh no I’m not, now I am Unitarian zig, oh no I’m not, now I am Christian again, it is exhausting reading about his life. To much time spent on self, man up and take care of your wife and kids already. I know I am probably being to harsh but this isn’t a story that impresses me, not at all. It’s all about me-me-me.

  7. From his website:

    “IHF has adopted therapeutic guidelines from the American Psychological Association for members of the lesbian, gay and bisexual communities; American Counseling Association guidelines for the transgender community; and National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality therapeutic guidelines for anyone questioning their sexuality and/or experiencing unwanted SSA.”

    http://www.changeispossible.com/press_release0.aspx

  8. I never heard of IHF before. So I went to the bottom of the article where Warren has keywords, and linked on IHF and read a few articles on Warrens blog. Then I went over to the IHF website, watched their intro video and then went and read Richard Cohen’s life story. When he wrote about him running around with men because he just had to have intimacy with men, while his wife was home taking care of the baby and the wife knew what was going on my first thought was not about him, but, “What is with her?” Whatever… I guess…
    After reading a few of Warren’s articles and perusing over at the IHF website my thoughts are, that business is slow in the gay flip to str8 business, so he needs to make more money, so he is opening up a new practice area. It is ALL about cha-ching.

  9. The new gravy train. Would have been more believable if he had shown deference to the GLBTQ the entire time.

  10. Let me explain how I see it .
    It’s sort of like the idea that reality tv takes such a place in the market place that we know people are interested in it. That’s an observation.
    Same with sexual addiction. Look at where the sex industry is marketing.

  11. @ Brian

    So, how does he [Cohen] get to train and certify Sexual Re-orientation Specialists who can go to a NARTH conference and be taken seriously?

    It’s a bit like L. Ron Hubbard, D.Sc. He awarded himself a doctorate in Scientology.

  12. Can you site references for this conclusion? Or is this just a personal impression?

    Michael, I was wondering the exact same thing. How do you know this, Mary?

  13. Mary
    That statement begs so many questions. One could argue, for instance, that a married man who has secret ‘side-dishes’ galore is an ‘addict’ that escaped inclusion in any statistics there might be, thus rendering what statistics their might be as suspect. Also: a gay person who feels bad about who he/she is might be a ‘self-declared’ addict, when in fact the only problem he/she has is low self esteem.
    The area of human sexuality is one where, in my view, clear-cut statements such as that above are not easy to make!

  14. Nope – can’t site references. This is an observation. Can you site references to the opposite?
    Sorry guys – this is just an observation and until there is an actual study completed on this then there is no reference except observation for all of us.

  15. Teresa,
    When you look at the number of gay websitesv straight websites, use etc…. well…
    It’s just a numbers game. I don’t like saying that about gay men in general – and I’m not. I am saying that the proportion of gay men with sexual addiction to the total number of gay men in total is a higher proportion than straight men with sexual addiction or staight women with sexual addiction in comparison to their total number in the group.

  16. I am saying that the proportion of gay men with sexual addiction to the total number of gay men in total is a higher proportion than straight men with sexual addiction or staight women with sexual addiction in comparison to their total number in the group.

    Can you site references for this conclusion? Or is this just a personal impression?

  17. I wonder sometimes if such ‘addiction’ is a problem for many men, regardless of their sexual orientation. But then I wonder about a lot of things … 🙂

  18. Thanks for clarifying that this was your opinion and not established fact.

  19. Richard Cohen Issues Sham Apology to LGBT Community | Ex-Gay Watch ?”

    Could there be a more cynical attempt to jump on the “I’m sorry” bandwagon? If he really understood the gravity of how his message has hurt LGBT people, he certainly wouldn’t be presenting himself as “a leading expert in the field of sexual orientation.”
    Nor, having said he’s now promoting a message of diversity and tolerance, would Cohen throw in his lot with NARTH, the supposedly professional organization actually made up mostly of anti-gay religionists and activists, not the mental health professionals it says it represents.” ~ Dave Rattigan

    http://www.exgaywatch.com/wp/2011/10/richard-cohen-issues-bizarre-apology-to-lgbt-community/

  20. Cohen’s having one of those episodes again. I guess the next thing is to have martians land at IHF headquarters and call the press that he is now counseling gay aliens! And, what about all of his premier therapeutic techniques like that pillow pounding stuff with the tennis racquet (while screaming on the top of his voice, ma, why did you, yada, yada, yada……) and what about the licking therapy where the client is licked (yes with the tongue on the face, neck arms and wherever) by the therapist or anyone who might happen to be in the room, like mother or father, etc. And what about the Moonie mind control stuff? (Cohen was and many say still is a card carrying Moonie) Is all of this still suppose to GET THE GAY OUT or now is it suppose to KEEP THE GAY IN? It does get confusing, doesn’t it.
    And what about Cohen’s book and IHF therapist Brundage going to Uganda and giving support to serious criminal penalties for those who are homosexuals including the death penalty? Yes, indeed, this is a full service agency, a full three ring circus of contradictions. This is Cohen in 2011 reinventing himself. It ain’t working.
    For Grandmother and those who may have forgotten, Cohen was permanently expelled (this is very rare for ACA) from the American Counseling Association in 2001 for several serious violations of the ethical code. So, how does he get to train and certify Sexual Re-orientation Specialists who can go to a NARTH conference and be taken seriously?

  21. His behavior – not his sexual orientation – is putting himself at great risk.

    Agreed. And this is one of the main problems I have with the “ex-gay” and “reparative therapy” movement. They confuse sexual addiction and sexual orientation. That’s exactly what John Smid says he was doing during his time with Exodus and Love In Action.

  22. He’s just trying to follow the money, which is obviously rapidly drying up in the ex-gay sector. Well, too little too late. He spent decades relying on the tide of anti-gay animus to form his identity and make his living (not to mention a little help from the Moonies). Now that said identity is becoming dated and ridiculous to the public at large, he’s gotta scramble into a new gig.
    Don’t buy it. There’s not a shred of anything genuine coming from him.

  23. <blockquoteAnd it is true that this kind of addiction is particular to (more so than others) to gay men.Mary, I’m not so sure about this statement. The whole sex trade industry is built around str8 men; and, has been since the dawn of man. Prostitution, and whoring around, is seen as just what men do … of course, faith beliefs decry that; but, somehow it gets a pass, overall … considered as one’s “sowing their wild oats”.
    Pornography is huge; and, affects str8 men just as much, if not more, than gay men. And, considering the damage it does to oneself, as well as to marriage, it’s really not given the attention it should be. A ‘bath’ house for gay men, sitting next to a whore house for str8 men … which one gets the attention, Mary. Odds are, we’ll all hear about those awful gays and what they do.
    No, Mary, I can’t agree this particular addiction is particular to gay men.

  24. They would also like to remind LGBT kids that “It Gets Worse”

    “It’s all too typical for homosexual activists to justify their behavior by claiming “we’re born that way” and then blame the tragic consequences of their actions on an intolerant society.
    But pushing this lie to young people is the ultimate death sentence for those who do not want to live a homosexual life. It offers no hope to youth who are struggling with unwanted same-sex attractions, and it’s unconscionable to lure young people into behavior that has so many serious risks, and then deny them the opportunity for change.
    The facts reveal that even in the most gay-friendly cultures, it’s not society that is responsible for the consequences of homosexuality; it’s the behavior. It really makes one ask the question, just what about the homosexual life gets better?”

    http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=230497

  25. Mary# ~ Nov 4, 2011 at 4:26 pm
    “I consider my friend who has sex with several different men a week to be a sex addict.”
    Is that your criteria then, number of sex partners (as opposed to number of sexual encounters)? I.e. if a guys has sex 10 times a week, you would consider him an addict if it was with 10 different people (or some number greater than N) but not if it were with the same person (or some number less than N)?
    I agree with Michael, I think you are letting your personal biases to color your judgment.

  26. Mary is still stating an opinion about gay men based on her personal observation — that they are more likely to have sexual addiction. She says she is basing this on her estimation of “gay websites v straight websites.” Is that a reliable measure? Hardly.
    It seems to me that there is a whole lot more straight porn out there than gay porn — if that’s the measure of “addiction”. That’s my impression anyway. How does she count these? Again, this “ratio” she is asserting with such confidence is a personal opinion, not an established fact.
    She has made the claim. It is up to her to support it.

  27. Ken you missed the point. The so called reality tv shows are watched by a huge audience – so the so called reality shows are abundantly programmed on tv.
    Also, if you re-read what I wrote – I said the proportion of gay men in the gay population has a higher sex addiction rate than the proportion of straight men in straight population. This means that of course there are less gay men who are sexual addicts because there are simply less gay men. It is the ratio I am speaking about.
    I consider my friend who has sex with several different men a week to be a sex addict.

  28. Mary# ~ Nov 4, 2011 at 9:13 am
    “It’s sort of like the idea that reality tv takes such a place in the market place that we know people are interested in it. That’s an observation.”
    also, “Reality” tv has little to do with actual reality.
    “Same with sexual addiction. Look at where the sex industry is marketing.”
    Mostly straight males. There are many niche markets as well, that target gays, women, fetishists etc. However, the bulk of the porn industry is still aimed at straight men.
    And I am curious about how you define a “sexual addiction”? What do you consider the criteria to be?

  29. Let me explain how I see it .
    It’s sort of like the idea that reality tv takes such a place in the market place that we know people are interested in it. That’s an observation.
    Same with sexual addiction. Look at where the sex industry is marketing.

  30. Nope – can’t site references. This is an observation. Can you site references to the opposite?
    Sorry guys – this is just an observation and until there is an actual study completed on this then there is no reference except observation for all of us.

  31. Mary
    That statement begs so many questions. One could argue, for instance, that a married man who has secret ‘side-dishes’ galore is an ‘addict’ that escaped inclusion in any statistics there might be, thus rendering what statistics their might be as suspect. Also: a gay person who feels bad about who he/she is might be a ‘self-declared’ addict, when in fact the only problem he/she has is low self esteem.
    The area of human sexuality is one where, in my view, clear-cut statements such as that above are not easy to make!

  32. Can you site references for this conclusion? Or is this just a personal impression?

    Michael, I was wondering the exact same thing. How do you know this, Mary?

  33. I am saying that the proportion of gay men with sexual addiction to the total number of gay men in total is a higher proportion than straight men with sexual addiction or staight women with sexual addiction in comparison to their total number in the group.

    Can you site references for this conclusion? Or is this just a personal impression?

  34. I wonder sometimes if such ‘addiction’ is a problem for many men, regardless of their sexual orientation. But then I wonder about a lot of things … 🙂

  35. Teresa,
    When you look at the number of gay websitesv straight websites, use etc…. well…
    It’s just a numbers game. I don’t like saying that about gay men in general – and I’m not. I am saying that the proportion of gay men with sexual addiction to the total number of gay men in total is a higher proportion than straight men with sexual addiction or staight women with sexual addiction in comparison to their total number in the group.

  36. @ Brian

    So, how does he [Cohen] get to train and certify Sexual Re-orientation Specialists who can go to a NARTH conference and be taken seriously?

    It’s a bit like L. Ron Hubbard, D.Sc. He awarded himself a doctorate in Scientology.

  37. If you are asking about the Netherlands study about marriage rates it was mentioned again and again and again during the Prop 8 trial. That particular study was supposedly showing that marriage rates went down after gender neutral marriage was apporved in the Netherlands. It was thoroughly debunked at trial. If I remember rights Judge Walker even noted that in his decision. Now there is another study called the Norway study that supposedly showed that gay men do not stay together long after marriage. You will find that study on Wiki, however the person who wrote the Wiki totally faked it. If you take the time to go read the whole study, in Norway gay men were not offered marriage only Civil Unions. It was a typical propaganda in the Wiki, also if you go and click on every single reference you will see how fake that Wiki is. This is sometimes called the Norway or Swedish study.
    There might be another Netherlands study I am not aware of, I just know about the one used in the Prop 8 Trial. Bottom line their Marriage rates went down after gender neutral marriage but they were going down anyway and the rate they went down was the same as before gender neutral marriage.

  38. In theory, despite their possession of academic degrees, the authors may have been unaware of the flawed methodology they used and, therefore, they may have been in good faith when writing their report. If so, they should promptly retract it to avoid further stigmatization of homosexual persons. However, expectations that this will happen are slim. Results simply fit too well with the views they have previously expressed.
    Morten Frisch, MD, PhD, DSc(Med)
    Senior epidemiologist
    Copenhagen, Denmark

    /2007/04/13/only-the-gay-die-young-part-2-danish-epidemiologist-reviews-the-cameron-study/

  39. Jayhuck: Dr. Throckmorton has reported on the study extensively here on this blog:
    /2007/04/12/only-the-gay-die-young-examining-claims-of-shorter-life-expectancy-for-homosexuals/

  40. Michael,

    The facts reveal that even in the most gay-friendly cultures, it’s not society that is responsible for the consequences of homosexuality; it’s the behavior. It really makes one ask the question, just what about the homosexual life gets better?”

    I keep hearing about this study in the Netherlands. I’m pretty sure we’ve discussed it here at some point. I find that almost all of the anti-gay, conservatives groups have latched onto this study as proof that intolerance doesn’t affect gay folks. Where can I find out more about this study on suicide rates and LGBT folks?

  41. And it is true that this kind of addiction is particular to (more so than others) to gay men.

    Mary, I’m not so sure about this statement. The whole sex trade industry is built around str8 men; and, has been since the dawn of man. Prostitution, and whoring around, is seen as just what men do … of course, faith beliefs decry that; but, somehow it gets a pass, overall … considered as one’s “sowing their wild oats”.
    Pornography is huge; and, affects str8 men just as much, if not more, than gay men. And, considering the damage it does to oneself, as well as to marriage, it’s really not given the attention it should be. A ‘bath’ house for gay men, sitting next to a whore house for str8 men … which one gets the attention, Mary. Odds are, we’ll all hear about those awful gays and what they do … but, the whoring str8 men, geez, that’s just what guys do.
    No, Mary, I can’t agree this particular addiction is particular to gay men.

  42. <blockquoteAnd it is true that this kind of addiction is particular to (more so than others) to gay men.Mary, I’m not so sure about this statement. The whole sex trade industry is built around str8 men; and, has been since the dawn of man. Prostitution, and whoring around, is seen as just what men do … of course, faith beliefs decry that; but, somehow it gets a pass, overall … considered as one’s “sowing their wild oats”.
    Pornography is huge; and, affects str8 men just as much, if not more, than gay men. And, considering the damage it does to oneself, as well as to marriage, it’s really not given the attention it should be. A ‘bath’ house for gay men, sitting next to a whore house for str8 men … which one gets the attention, Mary. Odds are, we’ll all hear about those awful gays and what they do.
    No, Mary, I can’t agree this particular addiction is particular to gay men.

  43. Cohen’s having one of those episodes again. I guess the next thing is to have martians land at IHF headquarters and call the press that he is now counseling gay aliens! And, what about all of his premier therapeutic techniques like that pillow pounding stuff with the tennis racquet (while screaming on the top of his voice, ma, why did you, yada, yada, yada……) and what about the licking therapy where the client is licked (yes with the tongue on the face, neck arms and wherever) by the therapist or anyone who might happen to be in the room, like mother or father, etc. And what about the Moonie mind control stuff? (Cohen was and many say still is a card carrying Moonie) Is all of this still suppose to GET THE GAY OUT or now is it suppose to KEEP THE GAY IN? It does get confusing, doesn’t it.
    And what about Cohen’s book and IHF therapist Brundage going to Uganda and giving support to serious criminal penalties for those who are homosexuals including the death penalty? Yes, indeed, this is a full service agency, a full three ring circus of contradictions. This is Cohen in 2011 reinventing himself. It ain’t working.
    For Grandmother and those who may have forgotten, Cohen was permanently expelled (this is very rare for ACA) from the American Counseling Association in 2001 for several serious violations of the ethical code. So, how does he get to train and certify Sexual Re-orientation Specialists who can go to a NARTH conference and be taken seriously?

  44. If you are asking about the Netherlands study about marriage rates it was mentioned again and again and again during the Prop 8 trial. That particular study was supposedly showing that marriage rates went down after gender neutral marriage was apporved in the Netherlands. It was thoroughly debunked at trial. If I remember rights Judge Walker even noted that in his decision. Now there is another study called the Norway study that supposedly showed that gay men do not stay together long after marriage. You will find that study on Wiki, however the person who wrote the Wiki totally faked it. If you take the time to go read the whole study, in Norway gay men were not offered marriage only Civil Unions. It was a typical propaganda in the Wiki, also if you go and click on every single reference you will see how fake that Wiki is. This is sometimes called the Norway or Swedish study.
    There might be another Netherlands study I am not aware of, I just know about the one used in the Prop 8 Trial. Bottom line their Marriage rates went down after gender neutral marriage but they were going down anyway and the rate they went down was the same as before gender neutral marriage.

  45. In theory, despite their possession of academic degrees, the authors may have been unaware of the flawed methodology they used and, therefore, they may have been in good faith when writing their report. If so, they should promptly retract it to avoid further stigmatization of homosexual persons. However, expectations that this will happen are slim. Results simply fit too well with the views they have previously expressed.
    Morten Frisch, MD, PhD, DSc(Med)
    Senior epidemiologist
    Copenhagen, Denmark

    /2007/04/13/only-the-gay-die-young-part-2-danish-epidemiologist-reviews-the-cameron-study/

  46. Jayhuck: Dr. Throckmorton has reported on the study extensively here on this blog:
    /2007/04/12/only-the-gay-die-young-examining-claims-of-shorter-life-expectancy-for-homosexuals/

  47. Michael,

    The facts reveal that even in the most gay-friendly cultures, it’s not society that is responsible for the consequences of homosexuality; it’s the behavior. It really makes one ask the question, just what about the homosexual life gets better?”

    I keep hearing about this study in the Netherlands. I’m pretty sure we’ve discussed it here at some point. I find that almost all of the anti-gay, conservatives groups have latched onto this study as proof that intolerance doesn’t affect gay folks. Where can I find out more about this study on suicide rates and LGBT folks?

  48. And it is true that this kind of addiction is particular to (more so than others) to gay men.

    Mary, I’m not so sure about this statement. The whole sex trade industry is built around str8 men; and, has been since the dawn of man. Prostitution, and whoring around, is seen as just what men do … of course, faith beliefs decry that; but, somehow it gets a pass, overall … considered as one’s “sowing their wild oats”.
    Pornography is huge; and, affects str8 men just as much, if not more, than gay men. And, considering the damage it does to oneself, as well as to marriage, it’s really not given the attention it should be. A ‘bath’ house for gay men, sitting next to a whore house for str8 men … which one gets the attention, Mary. Odds are, we’ll all hear about those awful gays and what they do … but, the whoring str8 men, geez, that’s just what guys do.
    No, Mary, I can’t agree this particular addiction is particular to gay men.

  49. Yes, I would definitely say my friend is way over his head and over involved in sexual addiction. And it is true that this kind of addiction is particular to (more so than others) to gay men. I mean he’s going all the way with the chat rooms, compulsive acting out etc…. He makes a routine of going to the men’s clinic. Not good.

  50. His behavior – not his sexual orientation – is putting himself at great risk.

    Agreed. And this is one of the main problems I have with the “ex-gay” and “reparative therapy” movement. They confuse sexual addiction and sexual orientation. That’s exactly what John Smid says he was doing during his time with Exodus and Love In Action.

  51. Yes, I would definitely say my friend is way over his head and over involved in sexual addiction. And it is true that this kind of addiction is particular to (more so than others) to gay men. I mean he’s going all the way with the chat rooms, compulsive acting out etc…. He makes a routine of going to the men’s clinic. Not good.

  52. Michael,
    A friend of mine who has decided that sleeping around with several men without discretion or commitment is what he wants to do. When I told him that I was concerned about him, his health and the decisions he was making, he blasted back that he’s not going to do the exgay thing. Keep in mind, I have always been supportive of his decision to experience his sexual orientation and never condemned his decision to live as he likes. But when he blasted back at me – I realized that just because I choose not to live out a same sex orientation that he confused my concern with judgment. And I am afraid, that for him it does get worse. His behavior – not his sexual orientation – is putting himself at great risk. Now if he was a woman who was sleeping around with men or a man sleeping around with women – my concern would be the same. And too much of that kind of behavior will make life worse for a person. It has nothing to do with sexual orientation

  53. Michael,
    A friend of mine who has decided that sleeping around with several men without discretion or commitment is what he wants to do. When I told him that I was concerned about him, his health and the decisions he was making, he blasted back that he’s not going to do the exgay thing. Keep in mind, I have always been supportive of his decision to experience his sexual orientation and never condemned his decision to live as he likes. But when he blasted back at me – I realized that just because I choose not to live out a same sex orientation that he confused my concern with judgment. And I am afraid, that for him it does get worse. His behavior – not his sexual orientation – is putting himself at great risk. Now if he was a woman who was sleeping around with men or a man sleeping around with women – my concern would be the same. And too much of that kind of behavior will make life worse for a person. It has nothing to do with sexual orientation

  54. They would also like to remind LGBT kids that “It Gets Worse”

    “It’s all too typical for homosexual activists to justify their behavior by claiming “we’re born that way” and then blame the tragic consequences of their actions on an intolerant society.
    But pushing this lie to young people is the ultimate death sentence for those who do not want to live a homosexual life. It offers no hope to youth who are struggling with unwanted same-sex attractions, and it’s unconscionable to lure young people into behavior that has so many serious risks, and then deny them the opportunity for change.
    The facts reveal that even in the most gay-friendly cultures, it’s not society that is responsible for the consequences of homosexuality; it’s the behavior. It really makes one ask the question, just what about the homosexual life gets better?”

    http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=230497

  55. Found this recent post on the IHF Facebook page:

    “I would like to remind all supporters of IHF that we are a scientific, therapeutic organization. We do not take part in political activities, nor will we allow posts on our Facebook page to discuss political topics. We love and support all SSA persons, whether they choose to change or live a gay life.”

    Scientific? Therapeutic?
    http://www.facebook.com/groups/166704399994/393806199994/?ref=notif&notif_t=like#!/pages/International-Healing-Foundation/34654541089

  56. Richard Cohen Issues Sham Apology to LGBT Community | Ex-Gay Watch ?”

    Could there be a more cynical attempt to jump on the “I’m sorry” bandwagon? If he really understood the gravity of how his message has hurt LGBT people, he certainly wouldn’t be presenting himself as “a leading expert in the field of sexual orientation.”
    Nor, having said he’s now promoting a message of diversity and tolerance, would Cohen throw in his lot with NARTH, the supposedly professional organization actually made up mostly of anti-gay religionists and activists, not the mental health professionals it says it represents.” ~ Dave Rattigan

    http://www.exgaywatch.com/wp/2011/10/richard-cohen-issues-bizarre-apology-to-lgbt-community/

  57. He’s just trying to follow the money, which is obviously rapidly drying up in the ex-gay sector. Well, too little too late. He spent decades relying on the tide of anti-gay animus to form his identity and make his living (not to mention a little help from the Moonies). Now that said identity is becoming dated and ridiculous to the public at large, he’s gotta scramble into a new gig.
    Don’t buy it. There’s not a shred of anything genuine coming from him.

  58. The new gravy train. Would have been more believable if he had shown deference to the GLBTQ the entire time.

  59. Also, Richard Cohen’s life as he describes it in his life story is a complete zig and zag story. First I’m gay, then I’m not, I am married, but then I am gay again, I live in New York, but wait, no let’s go move to Seattle. It’s like a ping pong ball.
    Also when I read this,

    Jae Sook and I attended an EXODUS Conference in 1987, just after I had my breakthrough with David. (EXODUS is the umbrella organization for the ex-gay Christian ministries around the world.) There I prayed to God to show us the next step-what to do and where to go. Each day at the conference, I prayed for God’s guidance, but nothing came. Finally, the conference ended. I walked to a nearby lake. I knelt down and prayed, “OK, God, it’s showdown time! I’m not moving from this spot until you tell me what to do and where to go. Even if I die sitting here, so be it. I await your guidance.” Then the directions came clearly: “Move to Seattle, receive help for your marriage, get an education, and then reach out to help other people.” In amazement, I asked, “Would you please repeat that one more time?” The words came one more time, exactly as I had heard them before.
    I told Jae Sook what I had received. We both prayed about this for several weeks until we were certain that this was God’s desire for our lives. When it became clear that this was to be, I quit my job. We packed an eighteen-foot truck with our belongings, said good-bye to our friends in New York City, and headed off to Seattle. There we started a new life, not knowing what God had in store for us.

    I thought, “Isn’t it funny how God just happens to tell you that which you really wanted to hear? Gee what a coincidence.” I am very suspicious of people who claim to have heard God actually speak to them, and then God, as requested, repeated it for him. It was another zig zag move across country. I can’t believe somebody focuses so much of their life on themselves. He has a wife and kids but he is out zigging and zagging going to this church, first I am Jewish, zig, oh no I’m not, now I am Christian, zag, oh no I’m not, now I am Unitarian zig, oh no I’m not, now I am Christian again, it is exhausting reading about his life. To much time spent on self, man up and take care of your wife and kids already. I know I am probably being to harsh but this isn’t a story that impresses me, not at all. It’s all about me-me-me.

  60. From his website:

    “IHF has adopted therapeutic guidelines from the American Psychological Association for members of the lesbian, gay and bisexual communities; American Counseling Association guidelines for the transgender community; and National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality therapeutic guidelines for anyone questioning their sexuality and/or experiencing unwanted SSA.”

    http://www.changeispossible.com/press_release0.aspx

  61. I never heard of IHF before. So I went to the bottom of the article where Warren has keywords, and linked on IHF and read a few articles on Warrens blog. Then I went over to the IHF website, watched their intro video and then went and read Richard Cohen’s life story. When he wrote about him running around with men because he just had to have intimacy with men, while his wife was home taking care of the baby and the wife knew what was going on my first thought was not about him, but, “What is with her?” Whatever… I guess…
    After reading a few of Warren’s articles and perusing over at the IHF website my thoughts are, that business is slow in the gay flip to str8 business, so he needs to make more money, so he is opening up a new practice area. It is ALL about cha-ching.

  62. Does this guy have no shame? Let’s remember that Cohen’s is a profit-making organization, and one that seems to know which way the wind is blowing. Nothing he has ever done could inspire trust or confidence that he is anything but a circus act using bankrupt and bizarre theories to make money and perhaps gain some personal, emotional gratification.

  63. Does this guy have no shame? Let’s remember that Cohen’s is a profit-making organization, and one that seems to know which way the wind is blowing. Nothing he has ever done could inspire trust or confidence that he is anything but a circus act using bankrupt and bizarre theories to make money and perhaps gain some personal, emotional gratification.

Comments are closed.