"Sissy Boy Syndrome"

[suebee]

I found this story on CNN U.S.:

"Therapy to change 'feminine' boy created a troubled man, family says" (http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/06/07/sissy.boy.experiment/index.html)

"Kirk Murphy was a bright 5-year-old boy, growing up near Los Angeles in the 1970s. He was the middle child, with big brother Mark, 8, and little sister Maris, just a baby at 9 months. Their mother, Kaytee Murphy, remembers Kirk's kind nature, "He was just very intelligent, and a sweet, sweet, child." But she was also worried.

"Well, I was becoming a little concerned, I guess, when he was playing with dolls and stuff," she said. "Playing with the girls' toys, and probably picking up little effeminate, well, like stroking the hair, the long hair and stuff. It just bothered me that maybe he was picking up maybe too many feminine traits." She said it bothered her because she wanted Kirk to grow up and have "a normal life."

Then Kaytee Murphy saw a psychologist on local television.

"He was naming all of these things; 'If your son is doing five of these 10 things, does he prefer to play with girls' toys instead of boys' toys?' Just things like this," she said.

The doctor was on TV that day, recruiting boys for a government-funded program at the University of California, Los Angeles.

"Well, him being the expert, I thought, maybe I should take Kirk in," said Kaytee Murphy. "In other words, nip it in the bud, before it got started any further."

Kaytee Murphy took Kirk to UCLA, where he was treated largely by George A. Rekers, a doctoral student at the time.

In Rekers' study documenting his experimental therapy (PDF), he writes about a boy he calls "Kraig." Another UCLA gender researcher confirmed that "Kraig" was a pseudonym for Kirk.

The study, later published in an academic journal, concludes that after therapy, "Kraig's" feminine behavior was gone and he became "indistinguishable from any other boy."

"Kraig, I think, certainly was Rekers' poster boy for what Rekers was espousing for young children," said Jim Burroway, a writer and researcher who has studied Rekers' work."

Does the name George A. Rekers sound familiar? It should. :

"Rekers, who conducted the therapy on Kirk, went on to build a career of influence based on the premise from his research that homosexuality can be prevented.

He became a founding member of the Family Research Council, a faith-based organization that lobbies against gay-rights issues. Rekers was also on the board of the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality, an organization of scientists that says its mission is to offer treatment to those who struggle with what they call "unwanted homosexuality."

"He's viewed as an expert by some, you know, when it's -- when it serves their purposes," said Bryant. "So, you know, basically, conservative and what I would call mostly 'fringe' groups have really, you know, Rekers as their poster boy."

Just last year, Rekers' days as an anti-gay champion would come to an end. He hired a male escort to accompany him on his trip to Europe.

Rekers denies any sexual contact with the male escort. Rekers says he's not gay. He claims he wasn't aware that his companion offered sexual favors for sale over the Internet until after the trip, and says he hired him only to carry his bags. But the reporters who brokethe story about Rekers' trip say they saw Rekers pushing a luggage cart through a Miami airport, where they took his photo.

After the scandal broke, Rekers resigned from NARTH. And the Family Research Council said in a statement they hadn't had contact with Rekers in "over a decade."

His reputation among those who oppose homosexuality may be tarnished, but his research is still being cited in books and journals.

As recently as 2009, a book Rekers co-authored, "Handbook of Therapy for Unwanted Homosexual Attractions," cites Kraig's case as a success. That was six years after Kirk Murphy took his own life."

[Linus]

For the full article see here: http://articles.cnn.com/2011-06-07/us/sissy.boy.experiment_1_kraig-experimental-therapy-feminine-traits?_s=PM:US

I do think that this highlights the dangers that psychological studies can have on kids and how careful one has to be with them. I also think that Rekers should be held in Kirk's suicide as his actions likely brought him to that decision.

[Leigh]

How in the hell, pardon My language, do you call this young man a "success story" when he committed suicide? :|

[suebee]

I fixed my link. It works now. Thanks Linus.

[JustJo]

How in the hell, pardon My language, do you call this young man a "success story" when he committed suicide? :|

The same way you rationalize hiring a gay male escort to "carry your bags", then carry your own bags and deny there was anything going on. :seeingstars:

Unfortunately, people like this cause incredible damage and irreparable harm to others in the process.

My heart aches for Kaytee Murphy, who (it sounds like) thought she was helping her child by getting him "help" from the "experts."

[nowandthen]

I found this story on CNN U.S.:

"Therapy to change 'feminine' boy created a troubled man, family says" (http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/06/07/sissy.boy.experiment/index.html)

"Kirk Murphy was a bright 5-year-old boy, growing up near Los Angeles in the 1970s. He was the middle child, with big brother Mark, 8, and little sister Maris, just a baby at 9 months. Their mother, Kaytee Murphy, remembers Kirk's kind nature, "He was just very intelligent, and a sweet, sweet, child." But she was also worried.

"Well, I was becoming a little concerned, I guess, when he was playing with dolls and stuff," she said. "Playing with the girls' toys, and probably picking up little effeminate, well, like stroking the hair, the long hair and stuff. It just bothered me that maybe he was picking up maybe too many feminine traits." She said it bothered her because she wanted Kirk to grow up and have "a normal life."

Then Kaytee Murphy saw a psychologist on local television.

"He was naming all of these things; 'If your son is doing five of these 10 things, does he prefer to play with girls' toys instead of boys' toys?' Just things like this," she said.

The doctor was on TV that day, recruiting boys for a government-funded program at the University of California, Los Angeles.

"Well, him being the expert, I thought, maybe I should take Kirk in," said Kaytee Murphy. "In other words, nip it in the bud, before it got started any further."

Kaytee Murphy took Kirk to UCLA, where he was treated largely by George A. Rekers, a doctoral student at the time.

In Rekers' study documenting his experimental therapy (PDF), he writes about a boy he calls "Kraig." Another UCLA gender researcher confirmed that "Kraig" was a pseudonym for Kirk.

The study, later published in an academic journal, concludes that after therapy, "Kraig's" feminine behavior was gone and he became "indistinguishable from any other boy."

"Kraig, I think, certainly was Rekers' poster boy for what Rekers was espousing for young children," said Jim Burroway, a writer and researcher who has studied Rekers' work."

Does the name George A. Rekers sound familiar? It should. :

"Rekers, who conducted the therapy on Kirk, went on to build a career of influence based on the premise from his research that homosexuality can be prevented.

He became a founding member of the Family Research Council, a faith-based organization that lobbies against gay-rights issues. Rekers was also on the board of the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality, an organization of scientists that says its mission is to offer treatment to those who struggle with what they call "unwanted homosexuality."

"He's viewed as an expert by some, you know, when it's -- when it serves their purposes," said Bryant. "So, you know, basically, conservative and what I would call mostly 'fringe' groups have really, you know, Rekers as their poster boy."

Just last year, Rekers' days as an anti-gay champion would come to an end. He hired a male escort to accompany him on his trip to Europe.

Rekers denies any sexual contact with the male escort. Rekers says he's not gay. He claims he wasn't aware that his companion offered sexual favors for sale over the Internet until after the trip, and says he hired him only to carry his bags. But the reporters who brokethe story about Rekers' trip say they saw Rekers pushing a luggage cart through a Miami airport, where they took his photo.

After the scandal broke, Rekers resigned from NARTH. And the Family Research Council said in a statement they hadn't had contact with Rekers in "over a decade."

His reputation among those who oppose homosexuality may be tarnished, but his research is still being cited in books and journals.

As recently as 2009, a book Rekers co-authored, "Handbook of Therapy for Unwanted Homosexual Attractions," cites Kraig's case as a success. That was six years after Kirk Murphy took his own life."

Part two is tonight. This is the clinic I was sent to as a cild as well. EVIL DOCTORS....

[T D]

What should I search for on my tv to find this so that I can watch or record? What's the program called? What's it on?

[suebee]

"Editor's note: Tonight at 10 ET on CNN TV, "AC360º" examines a shocking "experimental therapy" designed to make feminine boys more masculine. See what one family says was the devastating result in a special report, "The Sissy Boy Experiment." "

[Jess]

hey TD,
Saw this on the link... hope it helps. I am setting DVR to try not to miss it.

Editor's note: Tonight at 10 ET on CNN TV, "AC360º" examines a shocking "experimental therapy" designed to make feminine boys more masculine. See what one family says was the devastating result in a special report, "The Sissy Boy Experiment."

Sue, thanks for posting this.
Nowandthen, thank you for sharing your experience.

ETA: Oops, just saw that sue was posting at the same time.

[suebee]

You know, I found this shocking to read. But when I think of the things that were taught to me when I went to university in the seventies and eighties, that's what was being done at the time. It was cutting edge stuff. And the whole behavioral bandwagon - well I don't even want to start ranting about that! It doesn't seem as if they even considered possible negative effects for the "subjects". We were supposed to be as maliable as play dough. Incredible!

[Jess]

I agree Sue.

Maybe it's just my take on words, but by the very title of their work being focused on "unwanted homosexuality", I assume they mean it is not an active choice homosexuals make. I liken the phrase to "unwanted hair growth". :blink: For me, it ( my sexual orientation) has always been there. It wasn't something that was trendy or experimental or was arrived at from playing with trucks. For me, what gives anyone the right to try to "remove" something that God obviously wanted me to have? ( Not that I am an overly religious person, however, it goes to their argument that homosexuality is against the laws of God).

[Leigh]

The same way you rationalize hiring a gay male escort to "carry your bags", then carry your own bags and deny there was anything going on. :seeingstars:

Unfortunately, people like this cause incredible damage and irreparable harm to others in the process.

My heart aches for Kaytee Murphy, who (it sounds like) thought she was helping her child by getting him "help" from the "experts."


Yeah it amazes Me how some things like that can be rationalized :blink:

[suebee]

The religious right has a habit of justifying whatever they say about us/do to us in the name of God, usually invoking the Bible without any real understanding of it. The only difference is that a doctoral student provided scientific "proof" - that amounts to nothing short of torturing a young child, IMO.

[suebee]

I found this (http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_repar.htm) interesting page, listing different viewpoints of sexual orientation, different types of therapies, and other information. The group itself is made up of representatives from different religious affiliations (agnostic, athiest, Christian, Wiccan, and Zen Buddist ) and the site itself is also very interesting.

They list the two main types of therapy aimed at homosexuals as:

Mental health therapies directed at homosexuals:

The two main types of therapy or counseling directed at gays and lesbians -- and to a lesser degree, bisexuals:

Gay Affirmative Therapy (GAT) directed at helping gays and lesbians become content with their sexual orientation; we will only discuss this briefly.

Reparative therapy (a.k.a. Conversion Therapy) or Transformational Ministry programs often imply that they can change a gay's or lesbian's sexual orientation. However, their programs are actually directed at changing clients' sexual behavior. Almost all of the essays in this section discuss these two programs.

Check it out!

Sue

[Camo Eagle]

I agree Sue.

Maybe it's just my take on words, but by the very title of their work being focused on "unwanted homosexuality", I assume they mean it is not an active choice homosexuals make. I liken the phrase to "unwanted hair growth". :blink: For me, it ( my sexual orientation) has always been there. It wasn't something that was trendy or experimental or was arrived at from playing with trucks. For me, what gives anyone the right to try to "remove" something that God obviously wanted me to have? ( Not that I am an overly religious person, however, it goes to their argument that homosexuality is against the laws of God).


Thanks Sue for alerting us to this program. I DVRd and watched today. Was disappointed that I missed the 2nd half because I didnt set DVR for both nights. But I did hear about the outcome.
It made me physically ill. I have heard about these studies, but seeing it made me angry. I dont even have any real comments at this time.

Jess, I always hated that boy vs girl toy thing. Wonder what it says when a little girl plays with her Barbies, and the boy plays GI Joe, but they both grow up Gay? And curse of curses, they dont LOOK gay either. LMAO

[Andrew, Jr.]

This show reminded me of Dr. John Diamond and others at Johns Hopkins Sexual Behaviors Consultation Unit. Very anti-ftm/mtf. In the words of Mrs. Lynn Conway and Andrea James they are the "gatekeepers" in the medical community. Very sad. They hurt so many people. I know first hand what they did to me.

[ScandalAndy]

The same way you rationalize hiring a gay male escort to "carry your bags", then carry your own bags and deny there was anything going on. :seeingstars:

Unfortunately, people like this cause incredible damage and irreparable harm to others in the process.

My heart aches for Kaytee Murphy, who (it sounds like) thought she was helping her child by getting him "help" from the "experts."


While i do partially agree with this, (clearly she regrets her decision) I was taken aback by her statement of it in the interview. She is clearly struggling not to make the statement that she believes that "normal" equates to "heterosexual" and she believed her son's actions were an indicator that he was "abnormal".

[*Anya*]

Thanks Sue for alerting us to this program. I DVRd and watched today. Was disappointed that I missed the 2nd half because I didnt set DVR for both nights. But I did hear about the outcome.
It made me physically ill. I have heard about these studies, but seeing it made me angry. I dont even have any real comments at this time.

Jess, I always hated that boy vs girl toy thing. Wonder what it says when a little girl plays with her Barbies, and the boy plays GI Joe, but they both grow up Gay? And curse of curses, they dont LOOK gay either. LMAO
It is disgusting that they always want to cure of us something that is a part of our body and soul. On YouTube, John Barrowman of Torchwood, did a 6-7 part series, probably shown in the UK but never in the US, of course, on his search to find out why he was
gay. He came to the US, went to universities actually doing scientific studies, interviewed parents that knew from the time their kids were wee tots that they were gay & were accepting of it. One family had twin boys. One twin was all butch & the other played with Barbies from the time he was tiny. It is worth watching if you have not seen it. It is called John Barrowman: The Making of Me.

[JustJo]

While i do partially agree with this, (clearly she regrets her decision) I was taken aback by her statement of it in the interview. She is clearly struggling not to make the statement that she believes that "normal" equates to "heterosexual" and she believed her son's actions were an indicator that he was "abnormal".

I agree. Unfortunately, a lot of people feel that way...even about their own children. I know my mother does.

[ScandalAndy]

I agree. Unfortunately, a lot of people feel that way...even about their own children. I know my mother does.


My heart goes out to you. My family rejected me for a number of years for the same reasons. I have been fortunate in that I am now on speaking terms with my father, and my mother and i are more or less friendly. I am able to be close with my family as long as they never see or hear of my "lifestyle choice". That is the sacrifice I choose to make to keep them in my life.

I am appalled that a parent would go so far as to condone the "chip system" and beatings as negative reinforcement for what is clearly non-threatening behavior. The child was no danger to himself or others, so i'm not sure why this particular researcher thought that physical abuse was a necessary and acceptable treatment method, and i cannot believe the father and mother participated willingly without questioning it!

[amnesia.bfp]

Do I have a strong opinion about this?

I can't remember.

Who am I?

[iamkeri1]

pain sharply, and I deeply understand her desire to make
When I read the first part of the OP article, tears were running down my cheeks because I just knew you were going to say that Kirk had committed suicide. So many of our beautiful youngsters see no good future for themselves and choose not to be tortured (as they see it) for the rest of their lives.

I have four kids age 22 to 18. They were in foster care, and I adopted them. Their life was very difficult before we adopted them. Because their basic physical and emotional needs were not met prior to age three, they have some emotional gaps. No amount of love and attention can make up for this early neglect. Only their own maturity, acceptance, and perhaps the decision to forgive their parents can. My oldest attempted suicide several times from age 17 to 20 because the pain of dealing with his past was so painful. During this time (and many times before it) I questioned everything I ever did with him. The times I took the advice of "experts" and the times I did not.

I am very angry with Kirk's mother that she didn't just love her sweet little tender son and let him grow in to a wonderful sweet tender young man - either of gay or straight (or other) orientation. Yet I deeply understand her desire to make her son's life easier and the unbelieveable guilt and loss she must have felt when her attempt o help him ended so badly.


I am so glad I did not watch this show. It would have been too painful.

Smooches,
Keri

I agree that George Rekers should have been brought up on charges of some kind. He is a dangerous and possibly evil man.