Video: Anderson Cooper ridicules Texas Republican for endorsing ‘gay cure’ therapy
News anchor Anderson Cooper has demolished the argument of a Texas Republican who claimed experts were divided on ‘gay cure’ therapy.
The platform recognises “the legitimacy and value of counselling which offers reparative therapy and treatment” to those wishing to escape the “homosexual lifestyle”.
Appearing on CNN, state Republican representative Bryan Hughes attempted to defend the platform, saying: “We believe in free speech and free choice. From what I’ve read, there’s medical literature on both sides of the issue.”
However, Cooper shot back: “It’s really just not accurate to say that doctors are evenly divided.
“I could give you a list: the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Counseling Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, the American School Counselors’ Association, the National Association of School Psychologists, National Association of Social Workers.
“They represent half a million mental health professionals, and they all say this is not a mental disorder. It’s not something that needs to be cured.”
When Hughes attempted to say that he had heard from people who “feel differently”, Cooper brought up Alan Chambers, the head of ‘ex-gay’ group Exodus International, who has since disavowed his work, admitting homosexuality can’t be cured.
He said: “Does it concern you, again, that your party is now backing a form of therapy which basically every major medical organization says doesn’t work, can be harmful, and which many of the people who have been through it say it doesn’t work and is bad for kids?”
Hughes then claimed that God still loves people and “every one of us makes mistakes”, and Cooper countered: “The fact that you view being gay — you characterize it — as a ‘mistake’ really kind of maybe says more about your position than what your words actually say.”
