George Rekers, a leader of the ex-gay movement who was caught recently employing a male escort, paid the escort $75 a day for his services during a 10-day trip to Europe, which included carrying luggage and daily one-hour massages, according to a contract obtained by CNN.
The escort, “Lucien,” gave AC360 a copy of the contract, which also stipulated that Rekers would pay for his airfare. Lucien, which is not his real name, will appear on the show tonight.
Rekers is one of the co-founders of the Family Research Council and a board member at the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality. He’s also been paid as an expert witness for the states of Arkansas and Florida in their defense of bans on gay couples adopting children. Although he’s admitted hiring Lucien, he says he didn’t know he was a prostitute and, when he found out, only wanted to save him from his “sins.”
He also says nothing sexual happened. Lucien, however, says the daily massages included something called “the long stroke,” which included touching Rekers in rather sexual areas.
The contract also suggests Rekers had employed the escort before their trip.
He was to give the massages “using the same procedures (“Lucien”) provided to George Rekers in Florida.”
NARTH today released a statement on the scandal.
“NARTH takes seriously the accusations that have been made,and we are currently attempting to understand the details behind these press reports,” the statement reads. “We are always saddened when this type of controversy impacts the lives of individuals, and we urge all parties to allow a respectful and thorough investigation to take place.”
“We also wish to reiterate our traditional position that these personal controversies do not change the scientific data, nor do they detract from the important work of NARTH.”
