By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Norman Goldwasser wrote papers on the merits of conversion therapy and has sent clients to an outdoor program that seeks to turn gay men into heterosexuals through 'manly' activity.Â
A therapist at Horizon Psychological Services who claimed he could change clients' sexual orientation sough gay sex partners on Manhunt and kept an account on Bear Nation, according to the non-profit Truth Wins Out.
"Norman Goldwasser's double life of unconscionable lies highlights the rank hypocrisy and predatory nature of the fraudulent 'ex-gay' industry," said Truth Wins Out Executive Director Wayne Besen. "We urge every state to ban the scourge of conversion therapy that attacks the mental health of LGBT youth and puts them in harms way."
Goldwasser, an Orthodox Jewish provider of conversion therapy services, advertises on his website that he and a team of professionals at his Miami Beach practice will help clients with the healing of trauma. He has also sent clients to the so-called "Manhood" program that sends gay or questioning men off into the woods to engage in "manly" activities with the intent of ensuring they emerge with a heterosexual identity, according to Truth Wins Out.
"He helps patients to understand and process the ways in which painful or frightening events continue to impact present functioning," the website reads. "Dr. Goldwasser works with individuals whose trauma histories have led to addictions, anxiety, and mood disorders, as well as difficulties in relationships."
But Truth Wins Out found Goldwasser's own "present functioning" including looking to score with other men. An undercover agent with the organization found Goldwasser under the profile "Hotnhairy72." Using the fake name Dave, he set up a time to meet for sex with an undercover operative at a Fort Lauderdale motel, Truth Wins Out claims.
Truth Wins Out said it only outs members of the "ex-gay" movement who demonstrate hypocrisy, profit from it or present harm to LGBT youth. Goldwasser meets all tests, the group said.
"Goldwasser can't claim his personal life is none of our business when trying to 'cure' LGBT people is his business," Besen wrote in a statement. "Here is a case where a charlatan is committing consumer fraud by misleading clients and adversely affecting their mental health. We are particularly concerned when Goldwassser's scam preys on young people susceptible to his charade."
Goldwasser co-wrote a 2006 paper with David Matheson entitled "Holistic Therapy: A Comprehensive, Clinical Approach to the Treatment of SSA."
He also directed clients to such gay conversion programs as Journey Into Manhood.
Organization leaders released information on the conversion therapist in conjunction with the release of "Boy Erased," the film that stars Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman, and Russell Crowe and tells the story of author Garrard Conley's battle in a conversion therapy program.
While posting about Goldwasser's hypocrisy, Truth Wins Out took the opportunity to demand states still allowing the practice on minors to pass statutes barring such treatments, while noting even those states that already prohibit the therapy include loopholes for religious providers.
