BYU cancels "cure" broadcast

Brigham Young University television stations have canceled their planned broadcasts of an Orem, Utah, therapist's presentation on "curing" gay men of their homosexuality. Station officials at the Mormon-run university decided that the presentation by psychotherapist Jeff Robinson might be an oversimplification of a complex issue. He delivered his presentation at the "Families Under Fire" conference at BYU's Provo, Utah, campus last fall, and it was recorded by BYU camera crews. This was to have been the first time BYU television stations aired the conference talks. Robinson's presentation was to have aired for the first time on Thursday. Leaders of some Utah gay groups said Robinson's theories of changing sexual orientation send the wrong message to people who are attracted to the same sex. "I find that really offensive," said Michael Mitchell, executive director of Unity Utah. "I believe God made us how we are for a reason and God loves us exactly how we are." In his talk, Robinson outlined steps he said would help a gay man become attracted to women. The process requires the help of counselors and others and isn't an easy one, he said. "It's like any serious addiction--it's very difficult to overcome," he said. "But if a person is really motivated and wants that, change is absolutely possible."