MKP debates reparative therapy

By Joe Perez

UPDATED! SEE NOTES AT BOTTOM

[EDITED POST] The ManKind Project is an international men's organization that claims to be progressive and inclusive of men of all sexual orientations; however, as readers of this blog may be aware, the MKP's actions haven't always lined up with its words. In particular, the MKP's failure to disavow the use of "reparative therapy" in its officially sponsored trainings and events has sent a dangerous signal that MKP is "neutral" on the issue of the dignity of gay/bi men. And for gay/bi men looking for an organization with integrity, we can do better than supporting organizations "neutral" on our human dignity.

In response to a new comment on this blog from Cliff: as a member of MKP, I am aware of absolutely no progress on the issue of MKP's implicit support of (unlicensed and possibly illegal) "reparative psychotherapy" on its officially sponsored events. Since some men in some MKP communities have co-opted MKP trainings as vehicles for ex-gay therapies, this failure of leadership is particularly frustrating. I have in the past contacted Carl Griesser, the Executive Director of the MKP, regarding this issue, and I know many other gay/bi men who have also done so, but MKP has taken no action in nearly a year....

If I learn that MKP has taken steps to assure gay/bi men that officially sponsored trainings will NOT be co-opted by "reparative therapy" supporters [see UPDATE below], then it would please me to be able to recommend MKP events for gay/bi men as I have previously done continually since 2001. I've taken a "watch and wait" attitude for nearly a year now, and have seen nothing good come of it. If steps are not forthcoming from MKP leadership in the next six months to clarify MKP's stand on the use of "reparative therapy," I will not let this issue die....

Men of all sexual orientations should know that by attending MKP trainings they are supporting an organization that is allowing its good work to be tainted by the far religious right. All in the name of being tolerant! If MKP continues to shamefully promote itself to gay/bi men as an inclusive and progressive men's organization despite acting contrary to its own ideals, then its hypocrisy needs to be exposed. I'll certainly report any news I hear from MKP leadership right here on this blog.

CLARIFICATION 11/22/06

Above, I wrote, concerning my request that MKP clarify its policy around reparative therapy: "And I've expressed this point to Carl Griesser a year ago to no avail. MKP's refusal to deal with this issue speaks volumes about its own lack of commitment to upholding its stated progressive, multicultural ideals." In fact, it turns out that MKP hasn't done nothing. But its actions have been taken in the past year were not effectively communicated to me and no e-mail or other notification was specifically sent to MKP members to inform them of the actions. While these actions don't directly address my concerns raised here, they are relevant because they concern a problem with unaffiliated "reparative therapy" organizations linking to the MKP website. 

To reiterate, MKP has NO written policy at this time on the use of its trainings as attempts to change men's sexual orientations, despite concerns that have been repeatedly raised concerning some of past MKP-sponsored trainings. I hope this will change and will be following the situation closely...

UPDATE 11/22/06

Very encouraging (but tentative) news... Charles, a leader in The ManKind Project, writes that progress has been made in the past year with regard to several issues on the leadership executive committee. For example, a statement has been drafted to make it clear that MKP does not support therapies of any kind or other organizations using MKP trainings for their own agendas. So let's keep watch...

UPDATE 12/3/06

A new official statement from the executive committee of The ManKind Project has, it seems to me, finally put this issue to rest. Although the statement was a year in the coming, the wait seems to have been well worth it. For men like me who have been waiting (often impatiently) for a year, it's been a trip into uncertainty.

MKP's recent failiure to disavow reparative therapy explicitly created an uncertainty in the organization's commitment to inclusion of gay and bi men. Now that uncertainty is no longer in doubt, the organization has (in my eyes at least) passed the challenge and renewed faith in its vision as a sacred order of men called to reclaim the best of what manhood is all about. I'm looking forward to recommending the organization once again and supporting the full inclusion of gay/bi men within the organization and outreach to the gay community.

I've restored the link between The ManKind Project website (www.mkp.org) and this website and enthusiastically invite gay/bi men to investigate the New Warrior Training Adventure as an avenue for personal growth and enrichment.

Comments

[Jerome White]

Hey Joe, I came across your page when searching for an email address for Carl Griesser, the head honcho of MKP. Carl has recently submitted a statement regarding MKP and SSA. I think it is long awaited step in the right direction in dealing with the SSA issues.

Thanks for this blog, I will share this site with my fellow gay warrior brothers.

Jerome
Phoenix 4E

[Dr. Mark Worthen]

The ManKind Project (MKP) is holding a "Gateway" New Warrior Training Adventure (NWTA) in Arizona in two weeks (September 19-21, 2008). Gateway trainings are specifically for gay, bi, and trans men, although heterosexual men are also welcome.

The processes which take place on a Gateway Weekend are exactly the same as all other NWTA Weekends. What's different is that a majority of the staff men and participants are gay, bi, or trans.

In my opinion, the leadership, active involvement, and presence of GBT staff creates a more openly accepting, affirming, and appreciative atmosphere than on other NWTA's.

That's not to say that non-Gateway NWTA's are not appropriate for GBT men.

In fact, most GBT members of MKP participated in a non-Gateway NWTA and are very grateful for the experience, myself included.

I personally recommend the upcoming Arizona Gateway NWTA to:

1) GBT men who can afford to travel to Arizona and who will take the initiative to connect with other MKP members in their community for the follow-up "Integration Groups" (an ongoing men's group).

2) GBT men who live in Arizona or close enough that travel is not too expensive

3) GBT men who would like to experience an atmosphere where other men will implicitly and explicitly honor and celebrate your decision to accept and embrace your sexuality--wherever you are in the journey, from "I'm just beginning to come out" to "I've been openly gay for decades."

4) Heterosexual men who desire the transformative experience of the NWTA and who perhaps also want to deepen their understanding of gay, bi, and/or trans men and their experiences. Remember that there are heterosexual men on the staff and there will be other heterosexual participants.

The above is not an exhaustive list; it's simply my personal thoughts on why a man might want to come to a Gateway NWTA.

I should note that the upcoming Arizona Gateway NWTA operates on a "pay it forward" principle, in which participants are not charged the usual $750 fee prior to participating in the NWTA. Instead, after you complete your Weekend, you are offered the opportunity to donate to a fund to pay for men attending the *next* Weekend.

The guys in Arizona are amazing--they do *not* pressure any one to donate and yet most participants choose to "pay it forward" after they complete their NWTA. A few men don't donate, a few contribute enough to pay for two or three men for the next Training, and many contribute the standard fee amount.

If you want to learn more, feel free to call me (Mark D. Worthen, Psy.D.) at 435-647-6706.

Or consult the following websites:

Arizona NWTA - General Info:
http://azwarriortraining.com/

Express Interest in Enrolling in the Gateway NWTA (Sept. 19-21, 2008):
http://www.mkp-az.org/nwta_register.php

International MKP Website:
http://mkp.org