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."