The psychiatrist Northern Ireland MP Iris Robinson claimed could turn homosexuals straight has been named as Dr Paul Miller, who trained under the notorious Richard Cohen. Exodus International cut its ties with Cohen following a series of embarrassing TV appearances in 2006, in which he demonstrated controversial “touch therapy,” amid other ludicrous methods.
Speaking last Friday on BBC Radio Ulster, Mrs Robinson said that homosexuality was an “abomination,” and offered to refer homosexuals to the care of a psychiatrist friend who had helped gays to “turn away from what they are engaged in.”
Miller, forgetting that in science the onus is on him to prove his theories, not on others to disprove them, has now told Belfast’s News Letter that “a lot of the research has never been disproven but it has become politically unacceptable to talk about it.” He repeated Mrs Robinson’s claim that therapy could make people heterosexual:
Dr Miller – who is a former member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Board and is an honorary clinical lecturer at Queen’s University Belfast – claimed that he had seen hundreds of homosexual people become heterosexual.
“It is possible – I know these people and I’ve seen the outcome of the work in their lives so to say that it’s not possible is simply not true,” he said.
In an email to Dr Warren Throckmorton, Miller said that Richard Cohen’s training had been a “very valuable” part of preparing the church for ex-gay ministry. Miller personally organised a counseling training seminar by Cohen in Northern Ireland in 2007 (see p11). Summing up his approach to changing gays, he simply rephrased Cohen’s own statement of his philosophy:
[Miller:] First, no one is born gay because gay identity is a complex interaction between genetics and environment; second, no one chooses to experience who they are sexually attracted to; and thirdly, change in sexual orientation is possible. [Cohen:] There is no compelling evidence that anyone is determined from birth to have same-sex attraction (SSA).There is no conclusive scientific data that proves there is a simple biological or genetic cause for homosexuality. Scientific research indicates that although biological and genetic factors may play a part, homosexual desires stem from the complex interaction of psychological, environmental and temperamental influences along with those factors. …
No one simply chooses to have SSA.
These desires are very often the result of unresolved childhood wounds and unmet love needs. Choice is clearly involved in the decision whether or not to act on the desires. …
People can be hopeful in their choice to seek a change from a homosexual to a heterosexual orientation.
Research demonstrates that the claim that no one can change is false. Change is possible for some.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists countered Miller’s statements, saying, “Treatments that purport to change someone’s sexuality can be harmful and there is no evidence that they can be successful.”
The Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health responded less forcefully, saying the organization is “committed to improving the mental health and well being of every citizen in Northern Ireland and does not support discrimination or prejudice based on race, religion, gender or sexual orientation. The Association believes that every person has the right to chose where and how they get emotional and psychological support, personally or professionally.”
More of Miller’s viewpoints can be found on his website under the heading ‘Gender Identity’, e.g.
At least he notes the rights of contented gay folk to live their lives happily (something Iris Robinson doesn’t seem to have taken to heart), though it doesn’t look like he will be offering gay affirmation therapies himself.
I’m one of the many who would disagree with his conflating of gender affirming and masculinity with heterosexual [and therefore femininity = homosexual?]. I spent more than enough years with these sorts of ministries to see that gender affirmation and acting in more masculine ways didn’t succeed in making anyone an iota less attracted to the same sex. And there are enough masculine gay men about to confound that old stereotype.
Ex-Gay Watch also has links to ample information to undermine the reliability of the evidence based skills from proponents like NARTH
Thanks, Jimbo. I have another post on Robinson going up in just a few minutes, and I intend to do another follow-up on Paul Miller’s site, which I came across yesterday.
Cheers!
Well, another clone of Richard Cohen surfaces again and this time another psychiatrist who should know better. Let us not forget that Richard Cohen was PERMANENTLY EXPELLED from the American Counseling Association for several serious violations of the Ethics Code. This is indeed a very rare occurance at ACA, so, there must have been some serious charges to warrant this rare penalty.
One would think by now that with the ACA permanent expulsion and all of the comedic internet circus routines and fiascos (the slamming the tennis racquet on a pillow, screaming mom, why did you do it, cuddling with clients, belching, his description of sex between two people, etc.) that made the rounds on the internet last year, Cohen would be discredited enough that well the educated medical community, including NARTH would just ignore him. Well, he is just like the energizer bunny, he just keeps going and going with the support and encouragement of alot of very stupid and ignorant people who should know better, pushing him along.
Dr. Paul Miller gave an interview to another BBC program, he refused to respond if himself is an ex-gay.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/radioulster/sunday_sequence/
I am a transsexual female diagnosed with clinical Gender Identity Disorder. And I have never met any gay or lesbian that has the desire to realign their body to their sexual identity. Yet, in Miller and Cohen’s ‘sciences’ they believe homosexuals need ‘gender affirmation’. I seriously wonder have they ever met a homosexual, since there is no discomfort homosexuals face in regards to their gender identity.
And since they claim homosexuals are mostly non-genetically defined and more environmental in nature’s progress, so is heterosexuality. We have even more case to argue that heterosexuality is just a social lifestyle construct caused by society’s prejudice, emotional and psychological abuses by parents eager to enforce straightness, and even the lack of security in their sexuality stemming from childhood.
To all ex-gay watchers: Why don’t you guys on and be openly gay and be content and stop attacking those who really want out of SSA for whatever the reasons are is because of your own insecurity and over-sensitive egos? All the methods of these help groups are not perfect, but thay have helped people who really wanted to change. The point is, there is the possibility of change.
Also, aren’t there are a multitude of religious and non-religious hate groups/organizations hating you in the first place? Some of these contain active members who may be gay.
Mark,
Even as someone who has only been following XGW and BTB for five to six months, it has become clear to me that the ex-gay movement is about far more than people who “really want out of SSA.” In that time, I’ve seen many examples of key individuals and organizations in the ex-gay movement (as well as among their supporters) doing the following:
1. Promising “change” while being less than honest about what is actually meant by “change.”
2. Promising “change” while being less than honest about the likelihood of any particular type or degree of “change” that one might be expected.
3. Being less than forthright about the potential pitfalls and psychological harms that can result from conversion therapy or participation in ex-gay ministries.
4. Using the promise of “change” as an excuse to oppose equality for those of us are happy being gay.
5. Attempting to pressure other people — either directly or by counseling friends and family of gay individuals on how to push their loved ones in the desired direction — into seeking change.
6. Pushing junk science.
If the ex-gay movement really was limited to people who simply wish to try changing their own sexual attractions or living a celibate life, I’d be far more inclined to follow your suggestion and let them be. However, every post here at XGW and on several other sites show that the there’s far more to the ex-gay movement than that. And some of the things that fall into tht “far more” category are dangerous and sound reason for keeping a concerned eye on the movement.
Mark,
I have been on a sort of “ex-gay sabbatical” of late….haven’t had much to say here as I get my wits about me in other areas of life.
But….your comment…stirs me.
No one here is about “attacking” folks who want “out” of SSA. Most of us have either tried getting “out” of it or been involved with a loved one trying to get “out” of it.
The fact of the matter is that some WRONG things have occurred to some of us in the name of “Ex-Gay” and efforts being made to get folks “out” of SSA.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with calling for honesty and transparency from those involved in this industry and certainly nothing wrong with keeping an “eye” on the goings-on of particular therapies and therapists.
Your “point” that there is the possibility of change….well…HELLO…what the heck are you talking about there? Behavior? Orientation? Attraction? All of the above? I don’t think you’ll find anyone here who has any sort of beef with folks like Alan or Randy who choose to change their lives in ways that make them able to function as celibate or in a traditional opposite sex marriage. No one wants to break up families or get involved in the personal decisions others make about their lives.
BUT….a bunch of us have been HURT by this crap when it plays itself out. And a bunch of folks have been victimized by the therapy/therapists who were supposed to be getting them “out” of SSA.
We all get it. SSA people can change their behavior and function successfully in straight relationships if they really want to badly enough.
Would that it were promoted that simply and that those promoting ways to get “out” of SSA would get out of the business of limiting the rights of those who don’t feel the need to get “out” of SSA.