Guests Dr. Jack Drescher, Sam Brinton; OutCaster Andrew

Part 1 — Professional perspective:  Dr. Jack Drescher part 1 — January 1, 2020

Part 2 — Dr. Jack Drescher part 2, with a commentary by OutCaster Lucas about his near brush with conversion therapy — February 1, 2020

Part 3 — Personal experience:  Sam Brinton part 1 — March 1, 2020

Part 4 — Sam Brinton part 2, with a commentary by OutCaster Lucas about the assumptions about LGBTQ identity that fuel the perceived need to turn gay people straight — April 1, 2020

In this four part OutCasting series, we explore conversion therapy.  Homosexuality used to be defined as a mental disorder, and many psychiatrists used to practice conversion therapy, the practice of trying to change someone’s sexuality from gay or bisexual to straight.  This practice is now widely discredited within the medical and mental health professions, but it still exists throughout the country, now usually associated with religious institutions rather than medical institutions. 

Parts 1 and 2 — Dr. Jack Drescher: an expert's perspective

What is the history of the practices and ideas, how have they changed over time, and where are we now?

In the first part of this series, OutCaster Andrew (top right) speaks with Dr. Jack Drescher (top left), a gay psychiatrist and psychoanalyst in private practice in New York City.  Dr. Drescher has been working with LGBTQ patients for over 30 years and writing about conversion therapy for over 20 years.  This interview is presented in two parts being released in January and February 2020.

Also in the February edition, OutCaster Lucas (right) talks about his near miss with conversion therapy.

Parts 3 and 4:  Sam Brinton: a personal story

What actually happens during conversion therapy, and what effects do these practices have on young people?

In this part of the series, we turn to the personal story of Sam Brinton, who was subjected to conversion therapy as a child and survived to tell about it.  Sam, who uses they/them pronouns, is the Head of Advocacy and Government Affairs at The Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to LGBTQ youth suicide prevention.   Sam  founded and leads the 50 Bills, 50 States campaign, which aims to bring legislation that bans conversion therapy to all 50 states.  Sam talked with OutCaster Andrew. 

After the end of the interview in Part 4, Lucas talks about the assumptions about LGBTQ identity that fuel the perceived need to turn gay people straight.

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