Dr. Phil's Show Continues to Pathologize Queer Identities

Dr. Phil has been on a crusade to pathologize gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people with shows about "gender confused children" "experimental bisexuality" and by giving a platform to so called experts on "ex-gay therapy" from Focus on the Family. His shows have been so controversial that he has even come under pressure and forced to cancel previous shows on bisexuality and trans children. What's concerning is that Dr. Phil has access to millions of Americans who follow his advice and subcribe to his point of view, rendering it particularly dangerous since his views on GLBT issues are wrong and immoral.

Here at Queers United we have been dedicated to monitoring Dr. Phil's programming and ensure that we hold him accountable for his actions. His upcoming shows continue to raise a red flag merely by their title and description alone and considering his past actions we do not expect any change.

One show called "Teen Experimenting With Bisexuality?" has this description:

"Did your teenager recently tell you he/she is bisexual? Maybe you caught them engaging in same sex activity? Are you torn with how to react?

Do you feel that what your teenager is doing is just a phase? Or maybe you feel like girls kissing girls is the new teenage fad? Do you feel strongly opinionated on the subject?"

This insinuates that bisexuality is not a psychologically sound or stable orientation. We would applaud a show on bisexuality, but not one that gives credence to the myths surrounding it.

Another show that is alarming is called "Struggling With Sexual Identity?"

Are you a woman struggling with sexual identity? Maybe it's causing problems with an addiction? Or maybe you feel you might be in denial about your sexuality?

Did you think you knew who you were but then something or someone opened your eyes to a new you?

It would be wrong to pre-judge or presume what the show will be about beforehand, but again there is serious concern given the track record of the show. Is Dr. Phil asserting that a GLBT identity may be related to addiction, or is he referring to sex addiction regardless of orientation? The shows title raises a red flag because proponents of "ex-gay therapy" often use the terms "struggling" and "sexual identity" to refer to GLBT people.

We urge other bloggers, and webmasters to join our Dr. Phil boycott and alert their readers to the homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic coverage that has been occurring for several months now.

Send your comments to Dr. Phil demanding he stop his anti-LGBT programming.

Sign our twitter petition demanding positive coverage now!

Dr. Phil show
5482 Wilshire Boulevard #1902
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Dr. Phil Show: "Teen Pretending to be Bisexual?" May Not Air At All!

UPDATE: 5/09/09: It appears our efforts have been succesful! GLAAD is reporting that the Dr. Phil show is giving up on their search for "fake bisexuals", atleast for now.

When GLAAD called about concerns over the show, the response was:

"We are not planning on doing a show like this right now or in May sweeps. We are going into hiatus next week and will not be taping for a while. We have many plugs up because we are always looking for interesting stories. If a story like this should come to fruition we will attempt to contact you."

The last thing they want anyone to know is that they were pressured by activists. I truly believe it is our efforts that have led to this show not airing. If they do try and bring up a similar show in the future, we will definitely call them out on it. Thanks for all of your letters to "Dr" Phil McGraw.

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4/30/09 In an upcoming show called "Teen Pretending to be Bisexual?" The show is asking for parents to come on the show with their sons and daughters who self identify as bi.

"Is your teenager rebelling by pretending to be bi-sexual? Has your teen pretended to be bi-sexual because he/she thinks it's cool? Or has your teenage daughter pretended to be bi-sexual to attract boys?"

There are a host of problems with this proposed show. First off, it is unreasonable and irresponsible to guess someones sexual orientation/identity. It is offensive to assert that someone is lying about their sexual orientation, it is their own individual choice on how to self identify. Thirdly, the show is operating on the premise that bisexuality is just a "trend" and that it is used to draw attention from males.

This program has yet to air, but it sure smells like it will be biphobic, dismissive of the bisexual orientation, and flailing stereotypes about what it means to self identify as bisexual.

Could we just be jumping to conclusions and wrongly pointing the finger at Dr. Phil?

Check out his previous queerphobic programs on "Gender Confused Kids" prop 8, "Is it Wrong for a Little Boy to Wear Pink", "Ex-gay Experts" and "Little Boy Lost"

Boycott Dr. Phil and let him know why by contacting him.

Dr. Phil show
5482 Wilshire Boulevard #1902
Los Angeles, CA 90036

Michael Musto: "Are Bisexuals Real?"

Michael Musto columnist for the Village Voice has come out with a bi-phobic, anti-scientific column titled Ever Meet a Real Bisexual? questioning the legitimacy of bisexuality.

"Everyone always says they're bisexual, blabbing on and on about how "sexuality is fluid, and I don't really like labels"--but usually I find these are just gay men who are afraid to come out. I know there are real bisexuals out there--mainly because I've heard that there are--and I do think it's a lovely idea to actually crave sex with people regardless of gender. I'm just wondering how real a phenomenon this is, as opposed to a smoke-and-mirrors coverup designed to keep antsy gays in the closet.

Most of the guys I know who say they're bisexual end up doing Bette Davis impersonations after a few drinks, and when you invite them to an all-girl bar, they get excited, thinking you mean Splash. But do you know anyone who REALLY is equally attracted to both men and women and effortlessly glides between those two dating pools without a second's thought or self-consciousness? If so, do you ever suspect they're full of shit?"

Suggesting bisexuality is a phenomenon, or that bisexual men are closeted liars is offensive and outright wrong!

Contact Michael Musto and tell him biphobia has no place in the Village Voice.

Act Now: Nigerian Bisexual Faces Imminent Deportation From Canada

"Jane Okojie, a woman of Nigerian nationality, arrived in Canada in 2003 after being beaten by her neighbours when her bisexuality was discovered.

The Nigerian refugee, who says she is bisexual, is facing deportation and currently awaits judgement from the federal courts.

Okojie said yesterday if she returns home, she will face persecution.

"I don't know if there's going to be life for me there. Sending me back to Nigeria is a suicide mission for me," said Okojie, 39.

The Toronto youth worker fled to Canada in July 2003 with her 12-year-old son, Samuel. She said neighbours in her homeland beat her after they discovered she was bisexual -- a crime in Nigeria which carries a prison sentence of up to 14 years.

Canadian immigration and refugee officials have rejected her claim, saying Okojie failed to convince them that she's bisexual or lesbian.

NDP MP Olivia Chow, her party's immigration critic, said Canada's citizenship and immigration ministry should look at creating an appeal division for claimants" (Toronto Sun).

Demand that Jane Ojokie be granted asylum, letting the agency know that in Nigeria sexual minorities suffer heinous persecution.

Email the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada at info@irb-cisr.gc.ca

Contact Citizen and Immigration Canada.

E! Online Makes Mockery Out of Bisexuality!

E! Online has posted an offensive and biphobic article titled "Polling All Body Parts" which questions Lindsay Lohan's sexual orientation and paints an ugly picture of bisexuality.

"Say it ain’t so. Could Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson’s “special” relaysh already be on the fritz? It’s only a matter of time before L.L. retreats back and finds comfort in her fave male body part. ‘Course, we’ve been warning this one since that gal went all lesbyterian, anyway, but makes us wonder..."

They are asking readers to vote on whether bisexuality is a legitimate orientation. The poll which is titled "Bi Now, Gay Later" has the following options:

"*Not a chance, it's a stop on the way to homoville.

*Sure, I'm a little Anne Heche. I've experimented with both sexes.

*Angelina Jolie dabbled with a woman and found her way to Brad Pitt. Works for me."

All of the above choices are offensive and not characteristic of bisexuality.

This article makes a joke and a mockery out of bisexuality. Please take a moment to contact E! Online through their "Polling All Body Parts" article. Just scroll down to contact at the bottom of the page.

Word of the Gay: "Bi-phobia"

"Bi-phobia" is very common among the gay and straight communities who often misunderstand and fear bisexuality. "Bi-phobia" is a fear and condemnation of bisexuality and people of the orientation. Common "bi-phobic" assumptions are that people who are bisexual are "confused", "selfish", "hedonistic", and/or "promiscuous". Many people are under the false impression that bisexuals cannot remain monogamous, and that they date multiple partners and cannot remain faithful.

Word of the Gay: "Bisexual Erasure"

I decided to try something new, I don't know if I will post them daily but from time to time at least I'd like to showcase Queer terms/words so we can boost our rainbowlicious vocabulary. Is this something you readers are interested in?

"Bisexual Erasure" - This is the conscious or unconscious effort by individuals and groups to ignore, remove, or alter aspects of bisexuality in an effort to diminish the idea that bisexuality is a valid sexual orientation.