When I saw the message below from Charles Blow, columnist for The New York Times, and listened to the audio from Rep. Bachmann, I considered writing a commentary about the position of the American Psychiatric Association on the use of "reparation therapy" to "cure" homosexuals in light of Dr. Marcus Bachmann's business. Then I thought: let the readers and listeners consider Rep. Bachmann's own words, delivered in a heartfelt, sincere tone. After all, she is running for President of the United States.
CharlesMBlow Charles M. Blow
RT @memeorandum Audio: Bachmann in '04: 'It's part of Satan, I think, to say this is gay' (G-A-Y / Good As You) http://t.co/sas3mjp #wicked
And again, don't misunderstand. I am not here bashing people who are homosexuals, who are lesbians, who are bisexual, who are transgendered. We need to have profound compassion for the people who are dealing with the very real issue of sexual dysfunction in their life, and sexual identity disorders. This is a very real issue. It's not funny, it's sad.
"Any of you who have members of your family that are in the lifestyle--we have a member of our family that is. This is not funny. It's a very sad life. It's part of Satan, I think, to say this is gay. It's anything but gay. "
"It's profoundly sad to recognize that almost all, if not all, individuals who have gone into the lifestyle have been abused at one time in their life, either by a male or by a female. There's been profound hurt and profound things that have happened in almost all of their lives."
"This new legal enforcement of a new status--homosexuality, lesbianism, bringing it into the mainstream, if you will, giving it a legitimacy if you will, that will impact not only the gay community, but every man, woman and child, particularly the schools.
- Log in to post comments
And cue the rampant speculation on the net as to which family member it is in 3...2...1...
Heck, half of the sites I read already spend a boatload of time speculating that it's Marcus Bachmann.
Ok, we have the trope that being gay is due to sexual abuase..check.
We have the trope that mainstreaminmg gays is a threat, especially in the schools...check.
Gays somehow equal satan...check.
And the utterly hypocritical "We hold out our hands in love" trope...check.
SO, no change whatsoever. President Bachmann! Now there is a phrase to make you all warm and cozy!
Your country, your electoral process, and ultimately your responsibility.
Kate:
It's her step sister, Helen LaFave.
Who, if you will, would, if you will, misunderstand?
How is this scientific? Maaaaaaaaan give me more beetle leg papers...
ALLEGATION: Bachmann's brother, Yale's Dr. Amble practices "reparative therapy."
stolberg@nytimes.com
Dear Sheryl:
A reader of The Advocate article at the following link is, in the comments under the article, alleging that Michele Bachmann's brother Dr. Paul Amble practices the discredited and harmful "reparative therapy."
http://www.advocate.com/Politics/Commentary/OP-ED__Reparative_Therapy_S…
As you know, Dr. Amble is the Connecticut Dept. of Mental Health's Chief Forensic Psychiatrist and also, an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Yale University.
Please consider enhancing your reporting on the Bachmann for President campaign in the New York Times by ascertaining whether Dr. Amble does indeed engage in "reparative therapy."
I previously e-mailed Dr. Amble at his Yale address, attempting to determine whether his views of homosexuality are consistent with those of all the major professional medical and psychological associations. Dr. Amble told me he would need the Bachmann for President campaign's permission to answer, and, he has so far provided no response.
If Dr. Amble is not accepting of LGBT human beings and supportive of their equality, then it could be that LGBTers eventually coming into contact with him in his capacity as the Connecticut Department of Health's Chief Forensic Psychiatrist would not feel safe and/or that he was not committed to treating them respectfully and, in criminal justice matters, impartially.
Many kind advanced thanks for your efforts,
Scott Rose