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from Political News
Dr. Warren Throckmorton Fired From Advisory Position With Magellan Health Company
March 25, 2005 - Dr. Warren Throckmorton was fired from his advisory
position with the Magellan Health Services, Inc., company on February 14.
Dr. Throckmorton had been invited to serve as a member of the National Provider
Advisory Committee (NPAC) with Magellan in 1999. He was informed by Magellan's
chief medical officer, Alex Rodriquez on February 14 by phone that he was being
fired. Rodriquez followed up his phone call with a terse letter that gave no
reason for firing Throckmorton.
When a Washington Times reporter asked why Throckmorton was fired, he was told
by company spokesman Erin S. Somers that Throckmorton's views on homosexuality
were "potentially controversial" not in "the best interests" of the company. "We
made the decision ... out of concern that certain of his publicly expressed views
could be potentially controversial to Magellan's stakeholders."
Dr. Throckmorton responded to Rodriquez in a Feb. 16 letter that points out that
he is a "champion of client self-determination, a value that I hope would also
inform the values of Magellan."
Dr. Throckmorton told Rodriquez: "It is hard for me to believe that Magellan is
best served by reducing diversity of perspective on a board as strategic as
NPAC. I invite you to bring to me any concerns you have about my views. I
further invite those who offered criticism of my views to approach me directly
to get an accurate understanding."
A spokesman for Magellan told the Times that Throckmorton's video, "I Do Exist"
about ex-gays, had stirred up controversy among homosexual groups. "There is a
high percentage of gay men in the behavioral health world, and Warren's views
are considered a threat," said the spokesman who wished to remain anonymous.
NARTH spokesman Dr. A. Dean Byrd responded to the controversy and said that
Throckmorton's expulsion from Magellan "is merely a cloak for intolerance and a
blatant disregard for differing worldviews, the essence of true diversity. I
would hope that there would be an investigation of Magellan's business practices
by both the government as well as their subscribers."
Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays (PFOX) has also responded to this
controversial firing of Dr. Throckmorton. In a press release issued on March 24,
PFOX Executive Director Regina Griggs noted: "Individuals struggling with
unwanted same sex attractions have the right to self-determination, to seek
counseling and to be represented at all levels of society, especially health
care advisory councils. Does this mean that Magellan will now dismiss any
employees who are ex-gay if they dare to come out of the closet?"
PFOX continued: "On behalf of the ex-gay community, PFOX asks Magellan Health to
immediately reinstate Dr. Throckmorton and place ex-gays in advisory positions
at Magellan." Griggs said, "We want to ensure that ex-gay Americans and their
friends and families can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in
society."
Updated: 8 February 2008
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