Michele Bachmann’s husband, Marcus, plays a multi-faceted role in the rising Republican’s campaign for her party’s presidential nomination. But as he sketches out a new role for himself, his day job is drawing a bit of attention.

 

Marcus Bachmann runs a Christian therapy practice that conducts “reparative” therapy intended to cure homosexuals of their orientation. Such therapy is not endorsed by the American Psychiatric Association, but that doesn’t matter to him, for gays and lesbians are “barbarians” who need to be “disciplined.”

 

Marcus Bachmann’s homophobia has been ridiculed by the right and the left. Conservative blogger Andrew Sullivan, who is gay, has labeled him a “ssuper-sserial hunter of gays,” while Kids in the Hall comic and television actor Dave Foley Tweeted: “How can Michele Bachman be opposed to gay marriage when she is married to gay man.”

 

While that issue may not rankle Michele Bachmann’s supporters, the fact that Marcus’ clinic received Medicaid funding and the couple’s farm raked in large federal subsidies may not sit as well.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Michele Bachmann’s Marcus Bachmann Problem (by Tim Murphy, Mother Jones)

Michele Bachmann’s Husband Shares Her Strong Conservative Values (by Jason Horowitz, Washington Post)

Marcus Bachmann, Campaign Spouse (by James Hohmann and Byron Tau, Politico)