Richard A. Cohen
Richard A. Cohen | |
---|---|
Born | 1952 (age 71–72) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA |
Alma mater | Boston University Antioch University |
Spouse | Jae Sook Cohen (1980–present) |
Children | 3 |
Richard A. Cohen (born 1952) is a Christian psychotherapist and author associated with the ex-gay movement. He is a co-founder of Positive Approaches to Healthy Sexuality (previously Positive Alternatives to Homosexuality)[1] which offers discredited conversion therapy practices purporting to change a person from homosexual to heterosexual.[2][3][4] In 2002, Cohen was expelled from the American Counseling Association for multiple violations.[5][6]
He is author of Alfie's Home, a children's book which depicts homosexuality as a reversible condition.[7] He gained media attention after demonstrating his ex-gay touch therapy on The Daily Show, which included cuddling with men and beating a pillow.[8][9]
Biography[edit]
Cohen was born into a Jewish family in Philadelphia. During adolescence, Cohen reportedly spent "years in intensive psychiatric treatment unsuccessfully trying to become straight".[2]
Cohen identified as gay during his undergraduate years at Boston University. He sought counseling for his unwanted same-sex attractions. He became an evangelical Christian, and later joined the Unification Church.[2]
In 1980, Cohen married Jae Sook, a South Korean woman, and in 1995, Cohen and his family left the Unification Church.[2][9] Cohen had affairs with men, often leaving his wife and children for long periods of time.[4]
According to The Washington Post, Cohen he "overcame homosexuality" in 1987 through an "intense but platonic relationship" with a straight man who "gave me the warmth of my daddy's love."[2]
Cohen received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Boston University and a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology from Antioch University.[2]
He is author of Alfie's Home, a children's book which depicts homosexuality as a reversible condition.[7] He served as the president of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays (PFOX), a group which promoted reparative therapy.[6]
Expulsion from the ACA[edit]
In 2002, Cohen was expelled from the American Counseling Association (ACA) for violating its policies on advertising, engaging in dual relationships involving clients and counselors, and compromising client welfare.[5][6] He did not appeal the ACA decision.[2]
Media appearances[edit]
Cohen was interviewed by Jason Jones on the March 19, 2007, episode of The Daily Show.[10] He gained media attention for demonstrating cuddling with men and hitting pillows as a method for curing homosexuality.[10][8] After the appearance, PFOX scrubbed mention of Cohen's name from its website.[6]
Cohen was on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on June 28, 2006, was interviewed on The Rachel Maddow Show on December 8, 2009,[11] and was on The Michelangelo Signorile Show on the Sirius radio network on April 17, 2010.
Publications[edit]
1. Alfie’s Home, IHF Press, 1993
Republished as: Rich’s Home, PATH Press, 2022, ISBN: 979-8987026007
2. Coming Out Straight, Oakhill Press, Winchester, VA, 2000, ISBN 1886939411, 9781886939417
Ein Anderes Coming Out, 2001, Germany, Brunnen Verlag, Giesen, ISBN 3-7655-1219-2
Wyjsc Na Proasta, 2002, Poland, Wydawnictwo, Krakow, ISBN: 83-915375-7-9
Comprender y Sanar la Homosexualidad, 2004, Spain, Libros Libres, ISBN 978-84-96088-16-0
Riscoprirsi Normali, 2010, Italy, Editice Uomini Nuovi, ISBN 978-8880773436
Close Other, 2019, Egypt (Arabic), Kutubkom, Cairo, ISBN 978-977-6539-83-9
Iskorak Iz Homoseksualnosti, 2013, Croatia, Naklada Bendikta, Zagreb ISBN 978-953-7793-18-0
Escinsel Olmak, 2023, Turkey, Aydina Yayincilit Ltd, Istanbal, ISBN 978-975-01559-5-63.
3. Being Gay: Nature, Nurture or Both? PATH Press, 2020, ISBN: 978-1733846929
4. Gay Children, Straight Parents, 2007, InterVarsity Press, ISBN 9780830834372
Updated 2016, PATH Press, ISBN: 978-1530156641
Gdy twoje dziecko jest gejem, 2009, Poland, Wydawnictwo, Krakow, ISBN 978-83-7535-009-8
Hijos gay, padres heterosexuales, 2012, Spain, Libros Libres, ISBN 978-8415570424
Vase Je Digete Postalo Homoseksualno? Sto Uciniti, 2013, Croatia, Naklada Bendikta, Zagreb, ISBN 978-953-7793-26-5
Dong Seong ae Ka Chok, 2017, South Korea, Haneul Christian Books House, ISBN 89-92320-17
GSSP, 2019, Egypt (Arabic), Kutubkom, Cairo, ISBN 978-977-6539-81-5,
Cocugum Escinsel Mi?, 2022, Turkey, Aydina Yayincilit Ltd, Istanbal, ISBN 978-605-71741-3-0
Figli Gay, Figli Miei, 2022, Italy, Sabaoth Books, Milan, ISBN 979-12-80087-43-0
5. Understanding Our LGBTQ+ Loved Ones, 2022, PATH Press, ISBN 978-1733846981
Abriendo las puertas del armario, 2013, Spain, Libros Libres, ISBN 9788415570172
Otvoreno O Homoseksualnosti, 2013, Croatia, Naklada Bendikta, ISBN 978-953-7793-29-6
Otkpobehhbin Pa3Fobop, 2018, Russia, Cahkt-Ilerepoypr, ISBN 978-5-9443-2127-5
O Homoseksualnosti Na Novi Nacin, 2017, Serbia, Psihopolis Institut, ISBN 978-86-6423-022-3
6. Healing Humanity: Time, Touch & Talk, 2018, TTT Press, USA, ISBN:
Guarire L’Umanita: il Tempo, il Tocco, la Trasmissione della paraola, 2022, Italy, Sabaoth Books, Milan, ISBN 979-12-80087-38-6
7. A Therapist’s Guide: Assisting Our LGBTQ+ Loved Ones, 2024, PATH Press, ISBN 979-8987026090
8. Clinician’s Handbook: Assisting Our LGBTQ+ Loved Ones, 2024, PATH Press, ISBN: 979-8-9870260-8-3
Escinsel Olmak: Kalitim ve Cevre Tartismasina Guncel Bir Bakis, 2024, Ayik Kitap, ISBN: 978-9750155956978-9-7501559-5-6
Published Languages: English, Spanish, German, Polish, Italian, Arabic, Turkish, Russian, Korean, Serbian, Croatian, Burmese
References[edit]
- ^ "PATH". March 2, 2015. Archived from the original on March 2, 2015. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g Boodman, Sandra G. (August 16, 2005). "A Conversion Therapist's Unusual Odyssey". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- ^ "Richard Cohen's Cynical Makeover". Falls Church News-Press. April 17, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
- ^ a b Besen, Wayne R. (2003). Anything But Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-gay Myth. Psychology Press. pp. 164–167. ISBN 978-1-56023-446-3.
- ^ a b "Notification of Results Letter". Archived from the original on January 3, 2007. Retrieved January 3, 2007., American Counseling Association. Retrieved July 4, 2007.
- ^ a b c d Potok, Mark (2016). "Quacks: 'Conversion Therapists,' the Anti-LGBT Right, and the Demonization of Homosexuality" (PDF). Southern Poverty Law Center. pp. 40–41.
- ^ a b Blue, Miranda (February 1, 2013). "Will the Supreme Court read the most horrific children's book of all time?". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
- ^ a b "Cuddling the gay away". Salon.com. August 2, 2011. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
- ^ a b "Richard Cohen". GLAAD. July 28, 2014. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
- ^ a b "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah". March 19, 2007.
- ^ "'The Rachel Maddow Show' for Tuesday, December 8, 2009". NBC News. December 9, 2009. Retrieved December 31, 2023.