Lesbian Files Complaint against Doctor for Prescribing Unwanted Anti-Gay “Treatment”

             When Jamie Beiler went to the doctor’s office in Kissimmee Florida, the last thing she expected to receive was a packet of anti-gay propaganda referring to homosexuality as “sinful” and “impure” and advising lesbians and gay men to change their sexual orientation.  “When I opened the sealed packet, I was shocked and outraged,” says Jamie. “I was extremely offended and I felt like I had been violated.”  

             Beiler first made a formal complaint with Dr. Hartman’s office manager, who informed Beiler that their office routinely disseminates the anti-gay materials to patients. So Jamie immediately called the Mautner Project for help. 

Advised by Mautner staff to immediately retrieve her medical records, Jamie was in for yet another shock.  On her chart was written “Scripture references were given regarding homosexuality and lesbianism.” 

             According to Mautner Project, Executive Director Kathleen DeBold, experiences like Jamie’s are indicative of deep-seated homophobia in the healthcare system which jeopardizes the health of this medically underserved population. “Although Jamie’s courage in going public with her story is unique, what happened to her is not. Incidents like this are far too common, and the climate of fear they generate causes many lesbians to avoid or delay getting the medical help they need—often with devastating consequences.”  

             “To this day I dread the thought of ever having to go to a doctor’s office again,” says Jaime, who has since moved out of the state of Florida.

             Jamie decided enough was enough, so the Mautner Project contacted the National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), who contacted their allies at Southern Legal Counsel (SLC).  NCLR and SLC have filed legal complaints on Jamie’s behalf with the Florida Department of Health and CIGNA Healthcare of Florida alleging that  Dr. John R. Hartman and Physician’s Assistant Ms. Pope-Wright violated their ethical and professional duties by falsely presenting their personal beliefs as medical information and by providing unwanted treatment that has been rejected as ineffective by all major health and mental health organizations. The complaint asks CIGNA, Jamie’s healthcare provider, and the Florida Board of Medicine to take action against Pope-Wright and Dr. Hartman for their unethical conduct.  The case is pending and we will keep you updated.

             Attempts to change a person’s sexual orientation have been rejected by every major health and mental health organization, including the American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Counseling Association, American Psychological Association, National Association of School Psychologists, and National Association of Social Workers. According to the American Psychiatric Association, “The potential risks of ‘reparative therapy’ are great, including depression, anxiety and self-destructive behavior.” 

               “It is unfortunate that these medical providers abused their position of trust and took advantage of a patient’s vulnerability,” said SLC attorney Shelbi Day. “It was unethical to use their official position as health care providers to present their personal views as medical advice and to administer a ‘treatment’ that has been discredited by every major medical and mental health organization. It’s outrageous and unethical to provide these unsolicited materials to any patient, especially when the information is not requested and is entirely unrelated to the purpose of the medical appointment.” 

             “Lesbians and gay men should be able to obtain medical care without being subjected to unethical and harmful attacks on their sexual orientation,“said Karen Doering, Senior Counsel for the National Center for Lesbian Rights. “These providers must be held accountable for their unconscionable behavior.”