Scroll To Top
Health

Rekers Confronted on "Ex-Gay" Therapy and Suicide

Rekersx390_0

The psychologist behind countless cases of therapy to "repair" the sexual orientation of gays and lesbians was confronted by CNN after a report earlier this week investigated the suicide of a man who was exposed to the treatment as a boy.


Sorry to interrupt...
But we wanted to take a moment to thank you for reading. Your support makes original LGBTQ+ reporting possible. Help us hold Trump accountable.

Recommended Stories for You

" >

The psychologist behind countless cases of therapy to "repair" the sexual orientation of gays and lesbians was confronted by CNN after a report earlier this week investigated the suicide of a man who was exposed to the treatment as a boy.


In the first part of "The Sissy Boy Experiment," which aired Tuesday, Anderson Cooper interviewed the family of Kirk Murphy, who took his own life in 2003 at age 38. At age 5, his parents enrolled him in an experimental, government-funded program at the University of California, Los Angeles, run by George Rekers.

In the second part of the series, Rekers was confronted as he was getting into his car. He told CNN that he was unaware of Murphy's suicide but said scientifically, it is inaccurate to assume there was a correlation between Murphy's death and the therapy he endured in the early 1970s.

"I only meant to help," Rekers said. "The rationale was positive to help the children, help the parents who come to us in their distress, asking questions [like], 'What can we do to help our child be better adjusted?'"

Watch the report here:

" data-page-title="

Rekers Confronted on "Ex-Gay" Therapy and Suicide

" >
The Advocates with Sonia BaghdadyOut / Advocate Magazine - Alan Cumming and Jake Shears

From our Sponsors

Most Popular

Latest Stories