HRC’s Call It Out Campaign Calls on Candidates to Disavow Dangerous “Ex-Gay” Therapies

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 12, 2011

HRC’s Call It Out Campaign Calls on Candidates to Disavow Dangerous “Ex-Gay” Therapies

Petition follows Michele Bachmann’s signature on rabidly anti-LGBT pledge and questions about Marcus Bachmann’s clinic

WASHINGTON – The Human Rights Campaign – the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization – is calling on the GOP candidates for President to disavow the dangerous “ex-gay” or “reparative” therapies endorsed by Michele Bachmann and her husband Marcus. Last week Bachmann signed her name to the far-right group the Family Leader’s pledge “The Marriage Vow: A Declaration of Dependence upon Marriage and Family” as did Rick Santorum.

The statements with which Bachmann has now aligned herself include the falsehood that being gay is a choice and dangerous to public health. The pledge cites a 1997 study from the International Journal of Epidemiology and presents the data in a way that claims nearly half of gay and bisexual men won’t reach the age of 65. The publication issued a statement years ago saying the data is regularly taken out of context by anti-gay groups.

“Michele Bachmann’s homophobic views are out of step with mainstream America, and it’s time for her fellow GOP presidential contenders to publicly denounce them,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “The past few years we’ve seen a surge in support for equality and have made important legislative progress. Bachmann’s support for things like reparative therapy signals just how fringe a candidate she really is.”

Michele Bachmann’s husband, Marcus, has called LGBT Americans “barbarians” who “need to be disciplined.” His clinic, Bachmann and Associates, also reportedly practices conversion therapy – based on the theory that being gay can be cured or prayed away. One activist from the group Truth Wins Out took an undercover camera into the clinic that shows a Bachmann associate claiming a man can change his sexual orientation. This dangerous practice has been strongly denounced by leading medical organizations, including the American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association. Learn more about the lies and dangers of reparative therapy at www.hrc.org/reparativetherapy.

HRC’s Call it Out campaign will be tracking the homophobic activities and positions of Bachmann and her husband. As the first in a series of actions, HRC is calling on all other GOP presidential hopefuls to publicly denounce Bachmann’s support for reparative therapy and the dangerous homophobia behind it. Supports can add their voice to HRC’s petition. Learn more at www.hrc.org/callitout.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

# # #