Earlier this summer the group Truth Wins Out exposed Marcus and Michele Bachmann for practicing ‘ex-gay’ reparative therapy, the disreputable therapy that attempts to make gays and lesbians become straight, at their counseling clinic. Bachmann’s mentor John Eidsmoe was not only a proponent of reparative therapy but also wanted it used by the military. Eidsmoe writes in Gays & Guns that “one cannot help wondering why homosexuals would persist in a life-style that is in fact a ‘death-style’” (p. 79), and urges the military to adopt a policy to use reparative therapy to change the sexual orientation of gay and lesbian servicemembers. If the transformation is unsuccessful, they will be discharged:
Since considerable evidence indicates that a large percentage of homosexuals can convert or revert to heterosexuality, especially if they strongly desire to do so, they should if possible be given that opportunity. The armed forces could establish a program similar to the Limited Privileged Communication program which the Air Force operated for drug abusers during the 1970s. The individual could report to an internal department overseeing social actions, acknowledge his homosexuality, and have his admission treated with complete confidentiality. He coudl then be given a program of therapy to convert or revert to heterosexuality. if, upon completion of the program, a military psychologist or psychiatrist certifies that he has been cured of homosexuality and is unlikely to revert to homosexuality in the future, and if the member himself affirms that he has no intention of engaging in future homosexual behavior, he may be retained in the armed forces and his past homosexuality and treatment would be kept confidential. If a cure cannot be effected, he would be honorably discharged.
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One of the most encouraging elements of this rather sober study is the abundant evidence that homosexuals can change, particularly if they are motivated to do so. It is my hope that the hard data presented in this study will persuade homosexuals to seek help and escape from a life-style that is in fact a death-style (ps. 116-117).
