TV doctor Christian Jessen to try to ‘cure himself of being gay’ in new Channel 4 show
Christian Jessen will attempt to ‘cure’ himself of being gay in a new Channel 4 TV series based on controversial therapies.
The Embarrassing Bodies doctor, who is in a long-term same-sex relationship, will test a range of gay therapies before taking tests to measure his arousal.
‘Gay cure’ therapies, which are still in use around the world, vary in their forms.
They can include electroshock therapy, hypnosis, exorcism, as well as cognitive aversion therapy, which involves exposing participants to arousing material and then causing pain.
In the series, titled ‘Cure Me, I’m Gay’, he will also talk to people who claim to have been cured of homosexuality, and investigate different practices still in use today.
Discussing his sexuality, Christian recently told Ditch the Label: “I do remember growing up feeling very alone – it was difficult and I remember wishing that my sexuality wasn’t the way it was turning out.”
“It was different for me as I have never been ‘obviously’ gay and so people are often surprised when they find out. I have been exposed to off-the-cuff homophobic comments from other doctors, especially when being trained in sexual health.”
Cure Me, I’m Gay will air on Channel 4 later this year.
