“The fact that GMB thinks this is worth debating is offensive.”
ITV show Good Morning Britain is receiving criticism for airing an interview with Dr Michael Davidson about gay conversion therapy.
Gay conversion therapy: @piersmorgan and @susannareid100 challenge Dr Michael Davidson’s views on homosexuality pic.twitter.com/qZxmLMgZRz
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) September 5, 2017
Presenters Piers Morgan and Susannah Reid spoke to Davidson, who claims he can cure being gay, which he views as an “aberration” and a “maladjustment”. He says that he has “left homosexual practices.”
His views enraged Morgan, who in the past has himself made offensive remarks about non-binary people.
“You know what we call these people?” he demanded, referring to people like Davidson. “We call them horrible little bigots in the modern world. Bigoted people who talk complete claptrap and, in my view, a malevolent and dangerous part of our society.”
Also on the show was gay journalist and undercover reporter Josh Parry, who suggested, “Surely, therapists should be helping people to come to terms with sexuality rather than trying to change it.”
As usual, Morgan had the last word, this time addressing Davidson:
“You want to have all the gay sex you want before you cured yourself and now deprive other people. Dr Michael, shut up.”
While some people, including out TV star Dr Christian Jessen, praised Morgan for his dressing down of Davidson…
Ok, we may have clashed heads over mental health but I like @piersmorgan for this. I’ve interviewed this awful man too: riddled with issues! https://t.co/i9SXuCbVwy
— Dr Christian Jessen (@DoctorChristian) September 5, 2017
… many others voiced their objection to Good Morning Britain airing the segment in the first place.
I hoped we had got beyond the damaging, bullying, and dangerous tactics of ‘debating’ our ‘cure’. https://t.co/4xnVeUp1nC
— Sophie Ward (@sophieannaward) September 5, 2017
Thoughts? The fact that @GMB even thinks this is a subject worth debating is offensive to gay people everywhere. #GMB
— Wayne Dhesi (@WayneDavid81) September 5, 2017
Don’t give him air time. Countless lives have been lost through suicide. Being gay isn’t a choice, being ignorant is. Shame on him & on you. https://t.co/RcoeZISNXr
— Tom Knight (@TJ_Knight) September 5, 2017
If you genuinely still watch a show which debates curing homosexuality take a long look at yourself. @GMB @piersmorgan @susannareid100. #fb
— Peter Ruddick (@ruddick) September 5, 2017
I’m increasingly thinking that @stonewalluk needs an early morning crew just to respond and counteract early morning ITV sanctioned hate.
— Ruth Hunt (@ruth_hunt) September 5, 2017
Julian Clary was the on the show right after Davidson. At first he praised Morgan for giving the doctor “a run for his money”. But then he added, “It’s a shame you had him on though, really. It’s a shame you gave him air time.”
Leading LGBT+ charity Stonewall tweeted this response.
No one should be told their identity is something that can be cured.
For more info go to: https://t.co/hNLCpiq2tj https://t.co/yV4RSULSd7— Stonewall (@stonewalluk) September 5, 2017
PinkNews reported that within an hour of the segment, Ofcom had received 103 complaints.
