A few weeks back I watched Undercover Doctor: Cure me, I'm Gay on Channel 4. Dr Christian Jessen, one of the presenters of the show Embarrassing Bodies, goes undercover to try out and test various methods and techniques to 'cure' his Homosexuality.
The documentary begins with Jessen explaining that he was approached by a male patient , who wanted to change his sexuality from Homosexual to Heterosexual, or in his words 'Made Straight'. He wanted to scientifically test 'How Gay you actually are', by undergoing tests at Cornell University in New York. During the tests he was shown videos of naked men and women whilst the scientists measured his bodily reactions, change in pupils and penis arousal gauge to test his sexual arousal. Jessen would then be retaking the tests after he had undergone the different types of therapies, to see if they actually worked.
Electoral aversion therapy:
This form of therapy was used as recently as the 1980's on thousands of men in the UK, which associated Homosexual behaviour with severe pain and discomfort, even using shock therapy to change deviant behaviour. Peter Nolan,a nurse who at the time administered this treatment to Gay subjects, now took part in Dr Jessen's experiment. He was given a drug which made him violently ill and told to not wash his mouth out as it was 'part of the full experience'. This type of therapy aimed to reinforce the link between pain and Gay thoughts. In one clip Dr Jessen is shown a video which states that 'Gay sex is unnatural', this type of recording would be shown to the subject every two hours, night and day for three days, whilst they were surrounded by their own faeces and vomit. He ends up crying and exclaiming that it is humiliating, as he thinks of the people who were put through the experiment and stating that people like him, would have administered this form of therapy. Peter Nolan goes on to say that he never heard any patients say that this form of therapy was affective or that they were transformed and claimed that he was 'young and naive' at the time.
I found this first form of therapy one of the most shocking and found myself hiding behind my hands grimacing whilst Dr Jessen underwent this treatment. It was very difficult to watch, not only was I disgusted that this therapy was ever used, but to see it being carried out in front of your eyes made it seem much more real and terrifying. It really made me feel deeply saddened for the victims who were forced to undergo Electoral Aversion therapy and really opened my eyes to the inhumane and cruel treatments Homosexual people were exposed to at the time.
I found this first form of therapy one of the most shocking and found myself hiding behind my hands grimacing whilst Dr Jessen underwent this treatment. It was very difficult to watch, not only was I disgusted that this therapy was ever used, but to see it being carried out in front of your eyes made it seem much more real and terrifying. It really made me feel deeply saddened for the victims who were forced to undergo Electoral Aversion therapy and really opened my eyes to the inhumane and cruel treatments Homosexual people were exposed to at the time.
Gay rehab
As Jessen travels to Paris, he encounters the former directer of the Memphis, Tennessee 'Ex-Gay' ministry 'Love in Action'John Smid. He previously charged $3000 per month to cure Homosexuality, by ridding the subject of 'Homosexual clothing styles', entertainment and certain things which would cause them to feel sensual, claiming that 'if they made you feel like you wanted to have sex with someone, then it is not healthy for you to wear.' As for the entertainment, Dr Jessen brought along some Adele and Mozart CD's which would be confiscated and replaced with Christian music. He also had to change the way that he dressed, by being given clothes which 'real men' would wear, which included a baseball hat and a Guinness shirt. He goes on to question the issue of self-esteem and confidence, stating that the thing therapy is supposed to give you, such as self-assurance, is the very thing that it is stripping away.
The model for this form of therapy came from an addiction programme for drugs and alcohol, which had previously undergone great controversy when they treated teenagers against their will.
Smid goes on to say that he considers himself an 'Ex-Gay', as he used to be married to a woman but was never sexually attracted to his wife and now lives with his male partner.
I think this form of therapy is absolutely ridiculous; your sexuality shouldn't be determined on the clothes that you wear or the music you listen to, it is complete nonsense!
The model for this form of therapy came from an addiction programme for drugs and alcohol, which had previously undergone great controversy when they treated teenagers against their will.
Smid goes on to say that he considers himself an 'Ex-Gay', as he used to be married to a woman but was never sexually attracted to his wife and now lives with his male partner.
I think this form of therapy is absolutely ridiculous; your sexuality shouldn't be determined on the clothes that you wear or the music you listen to, it is complete nonsense!
Reparative therapy:
Conversion or reparative therapy was designed to figure out the route cause of Homosexuality related in childhood. David. H. Pickup is a licensed Psychotherapist who claims that he was 'cured' of being Gay by using this type of treatment; he charges $100-$140 per hour for his sessions. Pickup believes that Homosexuality arises because of the lost years of male bonding or sexual abuse from an older male. He offers one on one sessions to try and change the feelings of the subjects and argues that everyone is born Heterosexual, but trauma causes us to be Homosexual. Dr Christian goes on to say that he cannot recall any abuse or abnormal childhood trauma and that there is no scientific consensus caused by trauma and abuse in childhood. In addition, Jessen begins to worry that it could possibly affect more vulnerable people in believing it.
I have studied Psychology at A-level a few years ago and one of the modules surrounded the topic of 'Relationships'. In one study it was claimed that Homosexuality could be linked to a lack of and/or no relationship with your parent of the same sex. For example, if a male grows up having a distant father, he would 'naturally' grow closer to his mother. This lack of male bonding may be a factor in the males Homosexuality as they could develop 'feminine' tendencies. To be honest, I am not sure about this form of therapy at all; I agree that childhood trauma can potentially affect us as adults, but I am not convinced that it actually causes Homosexuality.
I have studied Psychology at A-level a few years ago and one of the modules surrounded the topic of 'Relationships'. In one study it was claimed that Homosexuality could be linked to a lack of and/or no relationship with your parent of the same sex. For example, if a male grows up having a distant father, he would 'naturally' grow closer to his mother. This lack of male bonding may be a factor in the males Homosexuality as they could develop 'feminine' tendencies. To be honest, I am not sure about this form of therapy at all; I agree that childhood trauma can potentially affect us as adults, but I am not convinced that it actually causes Homosexuality.
Right Brain Therapy:
Dr Jessen then visits Dr Jerry Mungadze, a Dallas Pschotherapist who identifies emotional trauma within the right hand side of the brain. Mungadze asks Dr Christian to colour in a picture of a brain with different coloured crayons, and'analyses his hormones', this is dependant on where he has coloured on the image. He is 'talking utter, complete nonsense',Jessen declares whilst taking part in the task. Mungadze charges $90-$150 per hour, in which no conventional consultation takes places at all, just colouring. Ironically, Dr Mungadze goes on to state that he is colour-blind, although he is a colour therapist ... He analyses Dr Christians work to undercover the trauma which has led him to Homosexuality, claiming that the black he has coloured on the image of the brain represents negative experiences growing up and that it is the cause of his dark thoughts, declaring that 'black is not a colour that he finds in the brain'. He goes on to explain that each colour has a different meaning, and that 'rejection' is driving the brain, therefore, making the 'grey' seduce the brain as it is trying to 'steal it's sexuality'. The aim of the therapy is to change the colours and Mungadze gives Dr Christian 'homework' in which he asks, "What are brains feelings about grey?" ... I have to agree with Dr Jessen here when he says that he has 'never heard so much medical nonsense'. What Jessen finds rather appalling is that this man is a healthcare professional, like himself, yet he thinks the adrenal gland is in your brain?! (It is a above your kidney) and protests that surely he must have basic medical knowledge if is he is administering this type of therapy.
I found it truly shocking that Mungadze is even allowed to carry out this form of 'therapy', he seems to be exploiting vulnerable people who are genuinely seeking help or guidance; his treatment definitely is 'a load of rubbish!'.
I found it truly shocking that Mungadze is even allowed to carry out this form of 'therapy', he seems to be exploiting vulnerable people who are genuinely seeking help or guidance; his treatment definitely is 'a load of rubbish!'.
Self-help books and exercises:
'The Bible Belt', relates to a section of Southern states in America, in which Protestant fundamentalism is widely practised. In the US there is a whole industry dedicated to curing Homosexuality, which is administered by so called Doctors and licensed Psychotherapists. One technique Dr Jessen was advised to complete, was the 'rubber band flick'. This involved flicking himself every time he had a Gay thought, and he goes on to say that it is almost like the Catholic version of mortification of the flesh. There are even 'How to' books, which treat Homosexuality like an addiction, or 'Gay rehab' which isolates the patient from addiction.
Jessen goes on to explain that he is astounded that in 2013, being Gay is viewed as a curable condition, as more and more self-help books including practical exercises are being published. One is called, 'Practical Excersises for Men in Recovery of Same-Sex Attraction', by James E. Phelan and Dr Jessen begins to try out an exercise, which advises him to keep a masturbation diary to try and overcome his masterbatial habits. He questions whether or not the practice is more about making him feel ashamed than actually helping him at all.
He then goes on to speak to a couple who have undergone this form of therapy. Pam and Todd underwent five years of therapy and claim that it didn't work. Pam discovered that Todd had been having a Gay affair, so his pastor at the time gave him a self-help book whilst he underwent 'Gay Therapy' and was told that it would 'help to cure [him] of being gay'.The book encouraged him to act and live like a straight man, by changing the way he talked or the way he used his hands. He claimed that this only made him want male on male affection even more and he felt as if he was being a fraud to his children.
I think it is truly awful that the Homosexual community are being made to feel 'ashamed' for being attracted to the same-sex, by being advised to humiliate and punish themselves to get 'cured'. It's honestly disgusting and I think that all these so called 'Self-help' books need to be wiped off the shelves and destroyed!.
Jessen goes on to explain that he is astounded that in 2013, being Gay is viewed as a curable condition, as more and more self-help books including practical exercises are being published. One is called, 'Practical Excersises for Men in Recovery of Same-Sex Attraction', by James E. Phelan and Dr Jessen begins to try out an exercise, which advises him to keep a masturbation diary to try and overcome his masterbatial habits. He questions whether or not the practice is more about making him feel ashamed than actually helping him at all.
He then goes on to speak to a couple who have undergone this form of therapy. Pam and Todd underwent five years of therapy and claim that it didn't work. Pam discovered that Todd had been having a Gay affair, so his pastor at the time gave him a self-help book whilst he underwent 'Gay Therapy' and was told that it would 'help to cure [him] of being gay'.The book encouraged him to act and live like a straight man, by changing the way he talked or the way he used his hands. He claimed that this only made him want male on male affection even more and he felt as if he was being a fraud to his children.
I think it is truly awful that the Homosexual community are being made to feel 'ashamed' for being attracted to the same-sex, by being advised to humiliate and punish themselves to get 'cured'. It's honestly disgusting and I think that all these so called 'Self-help' books need to be wiped off the shelves and destroyed!.
Churchgoers and protesters:
Dr Jessen then meets younger generations of Christians and talks to them as they leave an Evangelical service he was not allowed into. Some stated that 'Homosexuality was a sin' and that 'Gay people weren't born like that, spirits control their minds making them think homosexual thoughts, which are caused by demons such as Satan' ... These were the reactions of sixteen-twenty year olds. He then poses the question, "What if your'e Gay [and are] being told that?", as it pressures people in the community to undergo therapy.
Further on in the documentary he approaches a group, which is organised by 'Ex-Gays', who are protesting outside the supreme courts to campaign the right to practice Gay cures such as Aversion therapy on teenagers, who are under the age of sixteen in the US. They state that 'Boys don't attach to gender role models- their Dads' and that they want to see this in the UK too. He returns to the UK to speak to his Dad, who states that he can't see how he was affected, as parents don't choose their children's sexuality and subscribes to those who say that you are born that way.
Dr Jessen then asks them to take part in the 'Gay Test' at Cornell University, in which they agree: only if it is done in a fairmanner.
I believe that the younger generation of churchgoers are being manipulated to believe that Homosexuality is an abomination and that it is because of 'Satan' that they are having these same-sex feelings. There has always been conflicts of opinion between the Gay community and some religious groups as to whether being Gay is considered right or wrong; Is it the way you were born or a choice? Is it natural or is it a sin?. I hope that these differences eventually become resolved, so that we can achieve a more united society throughout the world.
Further on in the documentary he approaches a group, which is organised by 'Ex-Gays', who are protesting outside the supreme courts to campaign the right to practice Gay cures such as Aversion therapy on teenagers, who are under the age of sixteen in the US. They state that 'Boys don't attach to gender role models- their Dads' and that they want to see this in the UK too. He returns to the UK to speak to his Dad, who states that he can't see how he was affected, as parents don't choose their children's sexuality and subscribes to those who say that you are born that way.
Dr Jessen then asks them to take part in the 'Gay Test' at Cornell University, in which they agree: only if it is done in a fairmanner.
I believe that the younger generation of churchgoers are being manipulated to believe that Homosexuality is an abomination and that it is because of 'Satan' that they are having these same-sex feelings. There has always been conflicts of opinion between the Gay community and some religious groups as to whether being Gay is considered right or wrong; Is it the way you were born or a choice? Is it natural or is it a sin?. I hope that these differences eventually become resolved, so that we can achieve a more united society throughout the world.
Gay to straight therapy in the UK:
In Great Britain, some Christian groups want to make Gay to Straight Psychotherapy available claiming that Homosexuality is 'changeable', although it is banned by the NHS. There are even Evangelical churches across the country who attempt to 'cure' all Psychological problems through the use of exorcisms.
Paster Vincent Van Bohaus then goes on the demonstrate how he can cast out the demons of anxiety and appears to diagnose the illness as being 'Dissociative identity disorder' although he has had no medical experience to do so. Dr Jessen then goes on to question why he is diagnosing illnesses which Doctors should be diagnosing as the paster rejoices that he 'can only do what God allows [him] to do'. Dr Christian then asks, "How can it be a sin if it is caused through childhood?"as Bohaus replies that you can have a desire, but you have a choice whether to act upon it or not. Jessen then becomes concerned that people may latch onto these medical terms which are being used by him, even though he is not a Doctor and that exorcisms have no scientific basis.
I was horrified to find out that this type of 'treatment' was actually being practised in the UK, as in July 2013, in England and Wales and in Scotland in February 2014, same-sex couples were allowed to be married. I sincerely hope that this type of treatment does not spread throughout Great Britain as widely as it has done in the US; we have already taken a step forward with the legislation of same-sex marriage and there is not doubt in my mind that if more churches practise this method of 'curing' Homosexuality, that we, as a country, will be taking a step back.
Paster Vincent Van Bohaus then goes on the demonstrate how he can cast out the demons of anxiety and appears to diagnose the illness as being 'Dissociative identity disorder' although he has had no medical experience to do so. Dr Jessen then goes on to question why he is diagnosing illnesses which Doctors should be diagnosing as the paster rejoices that he 'can only do what God allows [him] to do'. Dr Christian then asks, "How can it be a sin if it is caused through childhood?"as Bohaus replies that you can have a desire, but you have a choice whether to act upon it or not. Jessen then becomes concerned that people may latch onto these medical terms which are being used by him, even though he is not a Doctor and that exorcisms have no scientific basis.
I was horrified to find out that this type of 'treatment' was actually being practised in the UK, as in July 2013, in England and Wales and in Scotland in February 2014, same-sex couples were allowed to be married. I sincerely hope that this type of treatment does not spread throughout Great Britain as widely as it has done in the US; we have already taken a step forward with the legislation of same-sex marriage and there is not doubt in my mind that if more churches practise this method of 'curing' Homosexuality, that we, as a country, will be taking a step back.
Retaking the 'Gay Test':
At the end of the documentary, Dr Christian Jessen wants to retake the test again, to see if he is 'Not Gay any more'.Although many of the 'Ex-Gay' protesters agreed to join him in taking the test, none of them turned up, claiming that the'scope of the test was too narrow', only one man said he would take part but he fell out of the age barriers for the test. Dr Jessen rightly states that it is basically 'a lie detector they are not willing to take'.
Unsurprisingly, upon completion of the 'Gay Test' a second time round, they concluded that the therapies didn't affect his sexual orientation and that he still had zero interest in women in terms of sexual attraction.
Dr Jessen ends on a serious note- that we must practice evidence based medicine as it could potentially be harmful, especially to young people and that the bias of religion is having far too much of a reign over scientific research.
Unsurprisingly, upon completion of the 'Gay Test' a second time round, they concluded that the therapies didn't affect his sexual orientation and that he still had zero interest in women in terms of sexual attraction.
Dr Jessen ends on a serious note- that we must practice evidence based medicine as it could potentially be harmful, especially to young people and that the bias of religion is having far too much of a reign over scientific research.
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