Tony Perkins, head of the certified anti-gay hate group Family Research Council, has joined a growing list of religious and right-wing extremists who are rushing to support Marcus and Michele Bachmann’s Christian counseling center, Bachmann and Associates, for its harmful and ineffective ex-gay reparative therapy practices.
Via Twitter, Perkins moments ago stated, “This Bachmann is “dangerous” meme is an attempt to marginalize her. A Christian counseling clinic offering biblical counsel isn’t news,” and added, “Many seek assistance with unwanted same-sex attractions, Christian counselors have the right to offer biblical counsel and guidance.”
In other words, Perkins is suggesting that the Bachmann’s practice of ex-gay therapy is a first amendment right to practice religion as they see fit, despite the fact that ex-gay therapy has been discredited by every major medical association, and despite the fact that Bachmann and Associates takes state and federal funds to support its practice.
Moments later, Perkins tweeted to Exodus International president Alan Chambers, “have you given any thought to a statement on the media’s new Christian counseling is “dangerous” meme?”
“Dangerous meme?” Not a dangerous meme, but reparative therapy is a dangerous practice. So is, for Perkins and Chambers, loss of the huge income it provides…