Gay-to-Straight Therapist Heads Straight to Gays

Meanwhile, back at camp…

Truth Wins Out (TWO) released an exclusive video statement today from two former clients of “ex-gay” life coach Alan Downing. The clients, Ben Unger and Chaim Levin, alleged that during individual therapy sessions, Downing made them undress in front of a mirror and touch their bodies while the significantly older therapist watched. Unger and Levin call the sessions a “psychological striptease” and believe they were harmed by what they consider unprofessional behavior and sexual misconduct.

Downing, who admits he is still attracted to men, is a major player in the “ex-gay” industry and a practitioner of so-called “reparative therapy”. He is the lead therapist for Jews Offering New Alternatives to Homosexuality (JONAH) and is listed on the People Can Change website as a “Senior Trainer” for Journey into Manhood, which is a controversial “ex-gay” backwoods retreat designed to supposedly make gay men more masculine.

“Journey into Manhood”? Hmmm… Where have we heard that before?

Breaking News: Major ‘Ex-Gay’ Life Coach Accused of Sexual Misconduct By Former Clients [Truth Wins Out]
18 Comments

Wait a minute. I’m supposed to be surprised, right? I get it. Hold on, let me go find my surprise, I’m sure it’s here somewhere.

@IanJ: It’s trending in Memeorandum right now. Gotta claim our turf.

Is this the guy who beats sofas with a tennis racket while shouting, “Mommy! Fuck my ass, Mommy!” ?

@nojo: Well done. Fortunately our turf was claimed something like a month or two ago. We reign supreme in the reportage of News that Reeks to High Heaven.

@FlyingChainSaw: They make a very good living.

@IanJ: This isn’t how it’s done. Unless you’re getting paid.

@Benedick: You think? I figured all he would get are “clients” who would show up at the office and beat him unconscious and shit on his face.

He should get into something useful like smoking cessation. He can beat up cartons of Lucky Strikes with tennis rackets.

@IanJ: And just to detail this out…

The press release linked above includes an excerpt from (and link to) the AlterNet version of Ted’s story — he’s been shopping it around (with my hearty blessing) after it ran here.

And among the sites listed by Memeorandum as picking up today’s story is:

Wonkette!

So I just wanna pee our claim before this gets out of hand.

@Benedick: Believe me, there are a lot of desperate people driven to the brink by the shame of having to come out. Just cause our own dear IanJ it did so nicely doesn’t mean it always happens that way. This is a big business. Easier than addictions plus you get to make the clients play with their tinkle.

Wait, he’s a Jew? I thought they were Mormons?

@SanFranLefty: This lot – Jonah – are Jews. They come in all stripes. Church in trouble? Open an ex-gay therapy centre.

Well where do I sign up as a counselor?? First I was straight, then I waz gheyz, now I am ex-gheyz. Then what? Am I half-assed gheyz *smirk*?

@iPrick: Get some pillows and a tennis raquet and you’re good to go.

Well. Well. Well. Whaddya know? Great work TedderBoy and Nojo. Great work!

While watching the local PBS re-broadcast about the Park-to-Park Highway in the early 1900’s, I Googled it and learned that among the supplies suggested for a trip from Detroit to San Francisco was something called “outing cream”.

@RevZafod: Lot of dudes use Outers brand products for cleaning their guns: cleaning rods, patches, brushes, oil, lube . . .

“Outers provides products that your Grandfather trusts . . . ”

http://www.outers-guncare.com/default.aspx

@redmanlaw:

Outing cream, not Outers gun lube. Wrong lube for use heading to SanFran. Smear it on anyone approaching you to find out.

Aw, shit, do I really have to ‘splain it to you?

It was an early version of SPF zero sunblock in 1915.

@RevZafod: It was a faux innocent piling with a similarly named product done for humorous purposes.

Explaining a joke kills it. We’re calling this one at 10:15 MDT. Pull the sheet over his head and call the medical investigator.

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