Truth Wins Out Claims That Marcus Bachmann Is Lying When He Says His Clinic is Not Anti-Gay

NEW YORK, July 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Truth Wins Out vigorously disputed Marcus Bachmann's claim in the Star Tribune today that his clinic was not anti-gay and had no "agenda or a philosophy of trying to change anyone."

"Marcus Bachmann is not telling the truth when he dishonestly claims that his clinic is not anti-gay," said Truth Wins Out's Executive Director Wayne Besen, responding to Bachmann's new statement. "Our investigation clearly shows that his clinic has great antipathy towards gay and lesbian people and his therapists work to convert clients from gay to straight."

"Marcus Bachmann is willfully and wantonly misrepresenting what I experienced during my five therapy sessions at his clinic," said John Becker, TWO's Director of Communications and Development, who led an undercover operation at Bachmann's clinic. "We urge Bachmann & Associates to stop misleading the public and commit to ending the harmful and discredited practice of 'ex-gay' therapy."

According to The Star Tribune article, Bachmann explained that he only offered "ex-gay" therapy at a client's request. 

"Will I address it? Certainly we'll talk about it," Bachmann said. "Is it a remedy form that I typically would use? ... It is at the client's discretion…We don't have an agenda or a philosophy of trying to change someone.'' 

"This individual came to us under a false pretense,'' Bachmann said. "The truth of the matter is he specifically asked for help.''

"Bachmann & Associates was under no obligation to offer a quack therapy treatment that is rejected by every mainstream medical and mental health association in America," said TWO's Wayne Besen. "Taking a client's hard-earned money for a 'cure' that is not possible is unethical and a form of consumer fraud."  

While Bachmann claims that his clinic is not anti-gay, nor invested in "ex-gay" therapy, his office sells a book written by a viciously homophobic minister named Janet Boynes who calls homosexuality a "dirty and shameful life." In her tome, Called Out: A Former Lesbian's Discovery of Freedom, she says:

"What are the effects of living a homosexual lifestyle? The list is long: Hurt. Despair. Frustration. Loneliness. Depression. Restlessness. Shame..." (pg. 184)

"If Marcus Bachmann's clinic is not anti-gay, then why is he selling homophobic trash like Janet Boynes' hateful and deceptive book in his office?" asked Besen.

Truth Wins Out is a non-profit organization that fights anti-LGBT religious extremism. TWO specializes in turning information into action by organizing, advocating and fighting for LGBT equality.

SOURCE Truth Wins Out

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