COLUMBIA, April 22, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Dr. Warren Throckmorton, a psychology professor at Maryland’s Grove City College, was removed from the National Provider Advisory Council for Magellan Health Services, one of the largest mental health management companies in the US. He had served on the council from 1999 until February this year, when he was dismissed because of his position on homosexuality. Today the company announced it would be reinstating Dr. Throckmorton.
Until a scant few years ago, homosexuality was understood by the medical community to be a form of mental illness, but offered little treatment. Throckmorton is one of a small group of often persecuted physicians doing research and offering help to those with homosexual temptations who want not only to learn to live with their condition, but change it permanently. This has earned him the enmity of homosexual activist groups who maintain that their disorder is a natural condition.
Dr. Throckmorton’s website has a question and answer section aimed at helping young people confront fears and biases and live chastely. One questioner asked him, “I am attracted to guys but I do not believe it is right to be gay. I am Muslim and I feel this is more important to me than my feelings of sex. Must I become a gay person?” He responded, “No… you have the option of identifying more with your religious beliefs if that makes you feel the most whole and integrated as a person.”
Magellan spokesperson Erin Somers said Throckmorton had been removed from the board because controversy surrounding his views would be “a distraction.” She reiterated the company’s position after announcing Throckmorton’s reappointment saying the company felt that a patient has “a right to explore a variety of therapies when he or she is grappling with sexual orientation issues.”
“I think Magellan has shown a willingness to listen to the concerns of its subscribers and employer constituents regarding my dismissal. This is a good move to get the focus back on providing quality mental health management,” said Dr. Throckmorton reacting to the reappointment.
“This move by Magellan is tribute to a corporation that listens to it subscribers and constituents. We are especially pleased to see that Magellan agrees that people have the right to pursue heterosexual affirming therapy if they choose this option,” said Regina Griggs, executive director of Parents and Friends of Ex-gays and Gays (PFOX) that supports Dr. Throckmorton’s work.