If a couple of straight men “motorcycle” a gay man, he will turn straight…or at least that is what the leaders of gay-to-straight camps think. Ted Cox exposed the twisted realities of programs that try to turn gay men straight on Monday after he went undercover at one of the programs.
“Motorcycling” involves a man sitting in between the legs of another man (as if they were riding a motorcycle) and being hugged from behind, while a few other men all place their hands on the man being hugged. The camps insist that three or more men participate in this activity because this leaves no chance for sexual activity. If you can’t understand the logic in this, well, neither can Cox—and he actually attended the program.
Cox also tried to understand why these groups are so concerned with others’ sexualities. The main reason for this concern is religion, and a fear of one’s own sexuality.
“Most of these programs are run by men or women who experience same sex attraction and are trying to overcome it,” Cox said.
He also cited an example of a gay-to-straight leader admitting that being homosexual is what comes naturally to him, but he chooses to deny his natural attraction in the name of God.
There are many exercises at the camps that leaders believe will eliminate homosexuality, most include reading scripture and calling upon a higher power for healing.
“Besides getting motorcycled and things like that, we also had to deal with our father issues,” Cox explained.
Gay-to-straight leaders claim that many factors such as lack of a father, an inadequate father, being different than others in size or height can cause homosexuality. Most leaders do not believe that homosexuality is inherent, but believe it is a life choice. Although doctors and psychologists no longer treat homosexuality as a disorder or mental illness, most gay-to-straight programs still think this.
After his experience, Cox still has little explanation for why these camps exist, other than a vehement religious belief and internal struggle. What he did learn, however, was a greater acceptance for human rights and happiness. And how to motorcycle, of course.
