BTV Man Goes Undercover to Reveal Bachmann Clinic's Anti-Gay Therapy
Before last Friday, John Becker was just your average guy working for a nonprofit and leading a relatively quiet life in Burlington. Then a story broke in "The Nation" revealing how Becker, 26, infiltrated Bachmann & Associates, the Christian counseling service run by GOP presidential candidate Rep. Michele Bachmann's husband, Marcus, to expose its use of controversial gay conversion therapies. National media came calling and all the major outlets wanted to hear the story. By Wednesday, Becker's tale had been featured on ABC's "Nightline," "The Ed Schultz Show" on MSNBC, "Good Morning America," the "TODAY Show," "Anderson Cooper 360," "Hardball with Chris Matthews" and even the "Colbert Report." (See Colbert video below)
Yesterday, Becker spoke to Seven Days about the undercover operation.
Becker, who is openly gay, went undercover posing as a man struggling with his homosexuality. He sought counseling to overcome his struggle. And after five sessions with one of the therapists at Bachmann's practice, Becker came away with substantial evidence to support claims that they engaged in so-called "ex-gay" or reparative therapy, a method of converting lesbian, gay and bisexual people to heterosexuals. Reparative therapy has been rejected by every major professional mental health organization, including the American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association. In a 2006 interview with Minneapolis City Pages, Marcus Bachmann denied allegations that his practice engaged in reparative therapy. So far, no one from Bachmann & Associates or Rep. Bachmann's campaign has responded to Becker's claims.
Becker's undercover operation was the brainchild of Truth Wins Out, a Burlington nonprofit dedicated to fighting anti-gay religious extremism and repudiating the ex-gay movement. Becker works for TWO as the organization's director of communications and development. When Becker came to TWO in March, he says, founder Wayne Besen had long been planning an undercover operation to expose Bachmann's practice. But Besen, a longtime activist, was too well-known to play the role of conflicted gay man, so he enlisted Becker. (To read a recent Seven Days interview with Besen, click here.)
Since Michele Bachmann, a leading voice in the Tea Party movement, arrived on the national political scene, there had been murmurings that the family's Lake Elmo, Minn., counseling service used reparative therapy to try to "cure" clients' homosexuality. These allegations were troubling to gay rights activists like Besen and Becker, particularly in light of the fact that the Bachmanns' clinic has received $161,000 in state and federal funding. But there had never been any definitive proof of the clinic's ex-gay practices. In late June, Becker, armed with a wristwatch camera, a pinhole camera and a digital voice recorder that looked like a thumb drive, arrived in Minnesota seeking evidence.
Prior to working for TWO, Becker had been living in Milwaukee with his husband of five years, Michael Knaapen. The pair had been active in Fair Wisconsin, an LGBT rights organization — they served as a "spokescouple" for the nonprofit — and Becker was no stranger to gay activism. He had just finished a masters degree in music when he heard Besen speak at a local college. So inspired was Becker that after the talk he invited Besen out to dinner. Shortly thereafter, Becker was offered a job at TWO and he and his husband moved to Vermont. He says he was thrilled at the prospect of moving to a state with marriage equality.
On June 23, Becker prepared for his first session with Timothy Wiertzema, a counselor at Bachmann & Associates. He removed his Human Rights Campaign credit card, as well as his ACLU membership card and a copy of his Canadian marriage license, from his wallet. He deleted his husband's photo from his cell phone background. He removed his wedding band and he made sure to wear pants to cover the pink triangle tattoo on his ankle. All evidence of his homosexuality had to be hidden. While he admits to being nervous, Becker says his background in music and theater made him confident that he could pull off the act. "But there were still butterflies," he says. "What if they catch on, what if they suspect, what if they find out? I had to have a story ready in my mind if that happened."
During the first session, Becker told the counselor that he had been "struggling with homosexuality for a long time" and that he tried many tactics, including suicide, to rid himself of it. The counselor asked Becker questions about his family history, significant life events and religious background, as well as his first sexual experience. When the 50-minute session ended, Becker was spent.
"It was an emotional drain to go in there," he says. "When I was a teenager, I struggled with my sexual orientation so it was easy to put myself in that mental place. But it was very draining because of the emotions it brought back."
Becker had four more sessions at the clinic. During the second session, the counselor, who admitted he didn't have much experience with sexuality issues, dug to find the "cause" of Becker's homosexuality. The counselor determined that after having found a stash of male porn as a teenager, Becker had conditioned himself to respond only to male stimuli when masturbating. "He was suggesting that masturbating to gay pornography makes someone gay," Becker says. "It's ludicrous on its face, but that's what I was told."
Becker took this photo of "ex-lesbian" Janet Boynes' book about how she overcame homosexuality, which was on sale in the lobby of Bachmann & Associates. Above the display is a note from Marcus Bachmann that reads: "Janet is a friend. I recommend this book as she speaks to the heart of the matter and give practical insights of truth to set people free. -Marcus Bachmann, PhD."
Becker was advised to read the Bible when thoughts of his sexuality came up. "We all have our struggles, so it's important to use other parts of the Bible, just have that quiet time with the Lord, spending time in prayer," the counselor said, according to Becker's footage.
The counselor told Becker that "God created you for heterosexuality," and that his homosexuality was something that could be overcome. He encouraged Becker that the next time he sees an attractive woman, he should tell himself that he was created by God to notice her. "God designed our eyes to be attracted to the woman's body, to be attracted to everything, to be attracted to her breasts," the counselor said. "In terms of how God created us, we're all heterosexuals."
Though Becker did not talk about being confused about his gender, the counselor encouraged him to "develop" his masculinity. To help him foster a heterosexual identity, the therapist also suggested that Becker find a "heterosexual accountability buddy" — an AA-like sponsor who would help keep him on the straight path. In a later session, the counselor referred Becker to Outpost Ministries, a Christian group associated with ex-gay Exodus International, that claims to help homosexuals "find healing and restoration through relationship with Jesus Christ."
Becker returned to Vermont after his last session on June 30. He says wasn't persuaded to become heterosexual. Indeed, the motivation for his activism, he says, is his husband Michael. As for why do this now, Becker explains that the timing seemed right because of the wellspring of interest in Rep. Bachmann, who has previously said that most if not all gay people have been abused and that Satan has some involvement in homosexuality. Her husband has also called gay people "barbarians."
"The fact that she has moved from being a fringe candidate and she actually has a fighting chance at the nomination means people are taking her seriously," Becker says. "We felt that it was the right time to investigate this."
Wait, I'm not following this story?
He entered a Chrisitian counseling center that advised him to read the (gasp) bible, and, that he was designed to be attracted to women (oh the humanity). I don't get it?
The article is made out to be a "gotcha" type thing. Ridiculous.
Are the Bachman's quacks? You bet. But if this is all there is to the story...so is Mr Becker.
Posted by: Jcarter | July 14, 2011 at 12:45 PM
The point to the story is that all signs point to them using a form of therapy that is rejected by the major therapeutic organizations of our country because it a) doesn't (and SHOULDN'T) work, and b) is counter to the idea of therapy - to address an area that is causing dysfunction...being gay is not a dysfunction. There's no "gotcha" to it, just a basic expose. *shrug* Encouraging him to develop a heterosexual identity is exactly what reparative therapy is all about, and that is highly frowned upon in the professional community. Encouraging him to read the bible is fine (plenty of homosexuals are devout Christians!), but encouraging him to read the bible as a way to help him shame himself into seeing the "right path" is unethical. If he's not attracted to women, there's no reason to try to get him to be attracted to women unless you're practicing a null and void therapy that's been discarded by the legitimate practitioners!
Posted by: Krixee | July 14, 2011 at 01:22 PM
Spending time, energy and money to prove that Michelle Bachmann and her entire clan are uncultured, irrational, uneducated dolts is like buying an ad campaign to tell people the sky is blue.
Posted by: Slappy LeJolie | July 14, 2011 at 04:27 PM
True, Slappy. And the people who need to be convinced wouldn't pay any attention to this stuff, anyway.
Posted by: Krixee | July 14, 2011 at 06:54 PM
"The point to the story is that all signs point to them using a form of therapy that is rejected by the major therapeutic organizations of our country . . ."
All signs point to?
That's hardly a scientific methodology.
Which is somewhat ironic, considering you're accusing them of engaging in non-science.
Posted by: irene y | July 14, 2011 at 10:53 PM
"she actually has a fighting chance at the nomination means people are taking her seriously"
Well I guess if she didn't, this all would have been pretty pointless. So sure, go with that.
But in all seriousness, come on. The woman is comic relief.
Posted by: Jimmy | July 14, 2011 at 11:45 PM
"The point to the story is that all signs point to them using a form of therapy that is rejected by the major therapeutic organizations of our country because it a) doesn't (and SHOULDN'T) work"
Who cares that they don't use the same method as everyone else, it's a private business? Business' use different methods, some work some don't. The ones that don't usually go outof business.
"If he's not attracted to women, there's no reason to try to get him to be attracted to women "
Except that's what he asked for.....
Again, there is little doubt that the Bachman's are a hamburger short of a happy meal, but devoting energy to "exposing" them ...there is no story here...
Posted by: Jcarter | July 15, 2011 at 10:23 AM
It's important to expose people whose mission is to spread hatred and bigotry.
It's wrong to tell gay people that they are sick and need to be healed.
Bachmann is a front runner in the GOP presidential nominating race. Drawing attention to what she and her husband do for a living is important.
Posted by: one_vermonter | July 15, 2011 at 12:10 PM
Romney is the front runner and most people even on the republican side realize Bachmann is a quack. Drawing attention to her only boosts her relevance. Thanks for that.
As for exposing hatred and bigotry, remember it's all in the eye of the beholder. Frankly, I've seen members of the GLBT community who are pretty bigoted and hateful, should there be a constant stream of "exposes" on that. Or how about Bernie, he hates everyone and everything. Do you really want to read a daily article on that? If you asked bin Laden before he was put to death I'm sure he would tell you all the hate the US was spreading against his peace loving group.
Finally, per the story the man went there and told them he wanted help "healing" himself from being gay. Now, do you really think they are going to say... go ahead back to where you came from your perfectly fine. No, it was causing him grief, and the therapist did what he was supposed to do which was to direct him in overcoming that distress he was feeling.
This whole exposing some hateful and bigoted entity is absurd. They have different beliefs, and the fact that some people don't understand and accept their beliefs is no different then them not understanding and accepting gayness. So if they are hatefull and bigoted...well you get the picture.
Posted by: Jcarter | July 15, 2011 at 01:45 PM
Tell it to the Iowa Republicans:
"Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann has surpassed former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney in a recent Iowa poll that was conducted by TheIowaRepublican.com. With Bachmann now leading in Iowa, Romney has fallen to second place"
http://theiowarepublican.com/2011/tir-poll-bachmann-overtakes-romney-in-iowa/ July 10, 1011
Yes, exposing bigotry, ignorance and hate is important regardless of who is spreading it. In this case is is the Bachmann's. Attempting to "cure" people for being gay is wrong. We should celebrate people for who they are, not call them, "sick".
Posted by: one_vermonter | July 15, 2011 at 02:36 PM
Last time I checked that's a non-binding caucus, and it is only one single state with very few electoral votes. Nationwide, she is a tiny blip on the radar. But you know what, you fret over it. You go ahead and worry that we might elect some kook, after all we did the last election so you maybe onto something.
But, if you are all about celebrating people for who they are, then please heed your own advice and celebrate the Bachmann's for the differing opinion. And the work there foundation is attempting to do, because afterall in their mind they are absolutely correct, just like in your mind you are absolutely correct.
Posted by: Jcarter | July 15, 2011 at 03:15 PM
LOL! Awesome! We shouldn't "draw attention" to a presidential candidate polling in first place in Iowa! It, "boosts her relevance" !!
Too funny!!
Posted by: one_vermonter | July 15, 2011 at 03:54 PM
The most recent Zogby polls show that Bachmann holds the lead NATIONALLY among Republican voters.
http://www.zogby.com/news/2011/07/12/ibope-zogby-poll-christie-ahead-obama-hypothetical-6-others-dead-heat-president/
Posted by: one_vermonter | July 15, 2011 at 04:00 PM
Let's try this another way:
"It's important to expose people whose mission is to spread [anti-religious] hatred and [anti-religious] bigotry.
It's wrong to tell [fundamentalists] that they are sick and need to be healed."
See, it works both ways.
Personally, I agree Bachman is an idiot. But the bigotry and ridicule and finger-pointing go both ways. Both sides should stop the spying and "gotcha" videotaping. It's disgusting.
Posted by: another_vermonter | July 15, 2011 at 04:28 PM
"Who cares that they don't use the same method as everyone else, it's a private business? Business' use different methods, some work some don't. The ones that don't usually go outof business."
Unless that private business is getting tax payer funds via Medicaid.
Posted by: Gay Bob | July 16, 2011 at 07:51 AM
Every individual and business in the United States gets some taxpayer benefit or other. Every single one.
That's a completely different issue.
Posted by: another_vermonter | July 16, 2011 at 09:05 AM
"That's a completely different issue."
Unless your wife is running for president and wants to slash Medicaid benefits for others.
Posted by: Gay Bob | July 17, 2011 at 08:53 AM
"Unless your wife is running for president and wants to slash Medicaid benefits for others."
Umm, the entire Republican field has the same goal. I guess we should round up the troops and start trying to expose all of them.
Posted by: Jcarter | July 17, 2011 at 09:49 AM
"Unless your wife is running for president and wants to slash Medicaid benefits for others."
That's not a refutation of the point that every single person and organization in the US gets government aid or federal tax benefits or tax breaks of one sort or another. Gee, I wonder if Michelle Obama -- whose spouse is also running for Presiden, I hear -- is associated with any organizations that receive any kind of government benefits?
Shall we eliminate taxpayer assistance or subsidies for all organizations, or just the ones that Gay Bob doesn't like?
Sheesh.
Posted by: another_vermonter | July 17, 2011 at 10:15 AM
another_vermonter, it's totally inaccurate to draw false equivalencies between evangelicals and gay people on this one. evangelicals aren't being rejected by their parents when they "come out." evangelicals aren't being forced to go to counseling where the therapist is telling them how to stop being religious. evangelical teenagers aren't committing suicide in high numbers.
and the "gotcha" videotaping is necessary because the Bachmanns won't come out and say that their clinic tries to get gay teenagers to stop being gay. you know why? because they know it's wrong, and they know that it would get ugly if they did admit it.
Posted by: greta | July 17, 2011 at 11:40 AM
"evangelicals aren't being forced to go to counseling where the therapist is telling them how to stop being religious. "
HE WENT THERE AND ASKED FOR HELP. He wasn't forced?
Good grief. They are a couple that run a private company. They are free to do as they like, whether that is a helping a Gay man become straight, or getting a drunk to become sober. People go there, they ask for help for something and are given it.
Posted by: Jcarter | July 17, 2011 at 12:45 PM
"That's not a refutation of the point that every single person and organization in the US gets government aid or federal tax benefits or tax breaks of one sort or another."
There is a huge difference between getting a tax break and being paid directly by the government for services.
Bachmann's company gets paid directly by the government for services. Highly questionable services.
Posted by: one_vermonter | July 18, 2011 at 12:03 PM
"evangelical teenagers aren't committing suicide in high numbers"
Could that be because in places like the Northeast, and certainly in Vermont, they're too afraid to admit to their friends and teachers that they are fundamentalist evangelical christians? Because fundamentalism is frowned on in Vermont, which is why a lot of fundamentalist parents homeschool their kids?
If you tell me that evangelism wouldn't be frowned upon by your peers at a Vermont high school and that you wouldn't be made fun of, if not shunned, I'd say you're naive or lying.
Posted by: another_vermonter | July 18, 2011 at 12:04 PM
oh please. how many teens get bullied because of what church they go to? and how many get bullied because they are, or are perceived to be, gay? what slur do you think gets tossed around in high school hallways and locker rooms more often: "FAGGOT" or "FUNDIE"? especially in the parts of this state where there are STILL Take Back Vermont signs...
evangelical kids don't get home schooled because they're bullying victims. (if that were the case, why aren't more LGBT kids getting home schooled?) evangelical parents keep their kids home because they want to control what the kids learn, i.e. no evolution, etc.
not saying that kids don't get bullied for religion, but I really don't think that white fundamentalist evangelical kids -- who look and act the same as most of the other Protestants and Catholics -- are getting bullied in large numbers.
and Jcarter, no kidding that this guy wasn't forced. but lots of teenagers ARE forced to go to a counselor and get "cleansed" of their gayness after they come out to unsupportive parents.
Posted by: greta | July 18, 2011 at 06:35 PM
Well, if half the kids who come out of the closet didn't revert to being heterosexual their parents would send them to counseling. Put it this way, if it didn't work people wouldn't bother.
Frankly, I don't really care. But as to the evangelical reference, I have never had anyone I know say they were devoutly religous and then stop being so. I know several who were "gay" dated people and then later on went back to the opposite sex. Now, in fairness I also know plenty of people who are just gay. Again, I don't care either way, and if everyone, ON BOTH SIDES, felt the same way.... well we wouldn't have this debate. By definition an argument needs two sides. The obvious solution is simply stop arguing about it. Question is which side is going to start acting like adults first?
Posted by: Jcarter | July 18, 2011 at 07:53 PM
@ Greta:
Yikes!
Ya got some actual evidence of how many kids in VT call other kids "faggot," and for what reason? Or are you just claiming that its true because you want to believe that it's true? And please tell me, in what "parts" of Vermont are there still "Take Back Vermont" signs? I've seen a few of those signs here and there, but I didn't know that that meant that in those towns or counties everyone was allowed and even encouraged to beat their gay kids! Are you saying that any county where a TBV sign appears is an entirely anti-gay county? How do you know? Have you canvassed all the households? Please let me know, so I can avoid travelling through those "parts" of Vermont.
And guess what? When I was a kid in school in the 60s and 70s being called a faggot actually had nothing to do with whether you were actually homosexual. The kids who used that term didn't even know what homosexuality meant. Remember the poor girl who recently got suspended from school by the PC police for responding to taunting AGAINST herself by saying to her taunter, "That's so gay"? She had no idea what she was saying. Yet she, the victim of the taunting, got nailed.
And what evidence do you have that evangelical kids don't get homeschooled because they're bullying victims? I don't know. Maybe it's true. But ya got any actual evidence? Again, it seems like you're just saying that as if it were a fact, because you personally believe it.
And WTF are you doing bringing "whiteness" into the discussion? Whoa! That is totally racist. WTF does whiteness have to do with either fundamentalism OR gayness? You "really don't think" that "white fundamentalist evangelical kids . . . are getting bullied in large numbers." Why are you calling them "white"? Are most Vermont gays NOT white? (Hint: since Vermont is 98% white, the average gay youth in Vermont has a 98% chance of being the color white. Hey, I know it's uncool to be white, but that's reality in Vermont. Sorry.) And congratulations for your unsubstantiated "thoughts."
Lastly, whaddya got for numbers on your assertion that "lots of teenagers ARE forced to go to a counselor and get "cleansed" of their gayness after they come out to unsupportive parents"? And I'm asking about VERMONT here, not Mississippi. That's where we are. Or is that just another one of your self-reinforcing, comforting beliefs?
Posted by: another_vermonter | July 18, 2011 at 07:55 PM
Interesting discussion. Love how Another Vermonter takes Greta to task for not backing up her claims but he/she doesn't back it up either. I just googled "bullied for being gay" and got 224,000 hits. "Bullied for being evangelical" and "bullied for being fundamentalist" each got...zero. If it was a problem--even in Vermont--you'd think someone would mention it on the Internet.
Posted by: Third_vermonter | July 19, 2011 at 07:32 PM
@ Third_Vermonter:
Point taken.
That said, these fake interviews are just wrong, whether done by the Left or Right. Period. Mr. Becker LIED to get his story.
Posted by: another_vermonter | July 20, 2011 at 02:08 PM