Exodus International - Montel Williams Show Psychiatrist Promotes Faulty Science on Homosexuality, Releases New Documentary

Orlando, FL- Dr. Alicia Salzer, a psychiatrist and After Care Director for The Montel Williams Show, premiers her documentary, Abomination, tomorrow that attacks ministry and therapeutic options for those with unwanted same-sex attraction who wish to live in alignment with their faith. Salzer has publicly promoted faulty scientific claims on The Montel Williams Show in the past and, in response, Exodus International has filed an ethics complaint with the New York branch of the American Psychiatric Association.

Alan Chambers, President of Exodus International, was a guest on The Montel Williams Show on March 15, 2007 for an episode on homosexuality where Salzer claimed, "Science has shown us that 96% of people cannot change and along the way, absorb an enormous amount of self-loathing, a lot of confusion, a lot of family conflict, so I know the harm." When asked for the data to support this assertion, Salzer pointed to the 2002 research of Drs. Ariel Shidlo and Michael Schroeder. Yet, by the researchers own disclaimer, their study cannot be used to support this statistic. Dr. Salzer has offered no other support for her televised claim. The American Psychiatric Association's Code of Ethics denounces making such public statements. The Montel Williams Show would not retract the erroneous statement.

"While we welcome more research and debate on this important social issue, professionals, such as Dr. Salzer have a responsibility to be honest about what science does and does not say," said Chambers. "The public deserves an honest look at the facts on this topic instead of dogmatic, unreliable claims that support one's personal suppositions."

A recent study conducted by researchers Stanton Jones and Mark Yarhouse suggests that religiously mediated sexual orientation change is possible for some individuals and contrary to Salzer's claims, does not exacerbate psychological distress, on average. Their research, released in September, is the first longitudinal study on this topic and is reported in full in the book Ex-Gays? A Longitudinal Study of Religiously Mediated Change in Sexual Orientation (InterVarsity Press). Former American Psychological Association President, Nicholas A. Cummings, Ph.D., Sc.D., praised the research.

To view Exodus' formal complaint filed with the American Psychiatric Association

To contact The Montel Williams Show

To contact the American Psychiatric Association call: 1-888-35-PSYCH or e-mail: apa@psych.org