Rekers told the New Times he hired the escort to help carry luggage, not for sexual purposes, and that he only learned his companion was a prostitute midway through the trip. On Wednesday, he published a statement on his Web site decrying the New Times story as "slanderous."
"A recent article in an alternative newspaper cleverly gave false impressions of inappropriate behavior because of its misleading innuendo, incorrectly implying that Professor George Rekers used the Rentboy website to hire a prostitute to accompany him on a recent trip,"the statement said. "Contrary to Internet stories based on this slanderous article, following medical advice Professor George Rekers requires an assistant to lift his luggage in his travels because of an ongoing condition following surgery. ... Professor Rekers was not involved in any illegal or sexual behavior with his travel assistant."
A professor of psychology at the University of South Carolina and a Baptist minister, Rekers is a leading proponent of therapy to "cure" homosexuality and has testified against gay adoption. He is a board member of the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality, which calls itself "a professional, scientific organization that offers hope to those who struggle with unwanted homosexuality."
The escort, who was identified in the article by the pseudonym 'Lucien,' told the newspaper that his services were enlisted through Rentboy.com, which helps clients "find gay escorts, male escorts, gay masseurs, male masseurs and learn how to become an escort."
Officials with the Family Research Council, a Christian lobbying group Rekers started with James Dobson -- founder of Focus on the Family -- did not return a phone call or e-mail seeking comment.
I predict Dr. Rekers will be vindicated once every one calms down. He has been such a huge influence on the gay therapy movement.
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