CNN's Kyra Phillips Loves the Gays. Too Bad That Isn't the Issue

Last week we covered the story of how CNN anchor Kyra Phillips reported on the repeal of an antiquated California law requiring state health officials to search for cures for homosexuality. Phillips' report included the Democratic California state legislator sponsoring the bill's repeal, as well as Richard Cohen, a discredited counselor who is a practitioner of conversion therapy, a method he believes can make gay people straight.

The report raised the hackles of quite a few gay groups, including GLAAD which eventually issued a Call to Action after CNN invited GLAAD to appear on a follow-up segment to discuss the issue only to then cancel the report.

AfterElton.com also asked the network several questions about the segment including why the issue was even being discussed in the first place when no one outside of fringe groups was opposing its repeal, as well as how and why the network decided to feature Cohen not just as a guest, but as an "expert" on human sexuality. 

The network's first response was to issue this statement: 

By bringing this story to the fore, we engage various advocates from all sides. This story does not end here and CNN will continue to explore other views and positions.

Then the following day, Phillips did do a follow up segment with an actual psychiatrist who debunked the notion of gay conversion therapy. That segment also included Phillips discussing a lesbian friend whose family is using religion to tell her that she is living an "evil life," which according to Phillips is harmful and very wrong of them to do. 

Phillips then went on to make this rather extraordinary statement:

Before we go to  break I want to take a moment to address many of you who emailed me about our Tuesday segment on this topic. Personally, I thought the absurd nature of the California law we discussed would speak for itself. But unfortunately, not everyone saw it that way.

Richard Cohen was not the most appropriate guest to have on, but it is a decision that we made and the result of that is our continued discussion today. That is what journalism is all about. And we will continue to do our best to discuss gay and lesbian issues in a fair way on this program.

I wish that all of you knew my heart. And as a journalist with a long track record of covering gay and lesbian issues, I wish that those of you who sent me vicious emails watched my newscast more often because if they did, my guess is they would not have been so quick to send such hateful messages. They don't know my record and my unswerving support for all communities in the battle for human rights, including gays, lesbians, and transgendered individuals. And to make it perfectly clear, I love debating issues. It evokes passion. But if we cannot treat each other in a civil manner, even when we disagree, then we will never move forward and have a world where all people are treated with the respect that they deserve.

With that, the issue was apparently done and settled, and it was time for us to "move on." The problem is, neither CNN nor Phillips addressed any of the real issues here that should be of concern to the GLBT community.