(A3e2e1) defending ex-gays

As of this date, 07-02-27, this folder contains 10 items. ******* item 1 FROM A PFOX DAD ******* item 2 PFOX PRESS RELEASE-EQUAL ACCESS TO EX-GAYS ******* item 3 TOLERANCE SOUGHT (LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF THE ROCKVILLE GAZETTE) ******* item 4 RESPONSE TO NATIONAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION'S REJECTION OF PFOX ******* item 5 ILLINOIS EVENT TONIGHT PROMPTS PROTESTERS AGAINST EX-HOMOSEXUAL ******* item 6 PFOX BILLBOARD ******* item 7 HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY DISCRIMINATES AGAINST EX-GAYS ******* item 8 JUDGE RULES IN FAVOUR OF EX-GAY GROUP ******* item 9 DR. ROBERT SPITZER ******* item 10 SEVENTEENTH LOVE WON OUT CONFERENCE ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 1 FROM A PFOX DAD ******* From: "PFOX" ******* Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2004 20:51:58 +0000 ******* Well, if you oppose the homosexual agenda we have a great new weapon - -free speech. I proposed last week to our local school board that an ex-gay be allowed to present the concept that homosexuality is a choice that people make. And given that it is a choice and not an immutable, genetic trait that come diversity day at the school, I or another ex-gay should be allowed to speak on the topic. Seeing as how there already was a school panel of gay men and women, that I should be allowed to present along with a psychologist, a pastor, rabbi, or priest and a counselor the concept that if you don't want to be gay, you don't have to be. Or as I said, "Feelings are often misleading, and just because you have them, doesn't mean that you have to act upon, especially when you consider violent behavior, alcohol consumption or anger." The verdict: the school cancelled the homosexual element of Cultural Diversity day. The reasoning: it is too controversial at this time to discuss and therefore we are removing the gay portion from Cultural Diversity Day. ******* Nice of them. This is not what I had hoped for. I am not sure that I can be called an activist but I have so many good parents involved that there is pressure on this school to include ex-gay materials. I had one teacher say that I was promoting hate speech and, boy, am I getting tired of hearing that. So I got a bit irritated and said, "If I'm promoting hate speech, which I am not, then Students Against Drunk Driving is an organization to rival the KKK." And then I sat down. ******* I had hoped that I would have been denied, I had hoped that I would have been allowed to present my ex-gay story, but in the end, there is nothing. Although the school still has a GSA, it is becoming less and less all the time as kids figure out that there are alternatives to homosexuality. So it is a small victory. At least some of the people who attended the parents' meeting learned that there is an alternative to the gay life. So that is a good thing. ******* So that's it. Back to neutral. ******* But it should give parents hope when they hear the word "Diversity Day." *************************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 2 PFOX PRESS RELEASE-EQUAL ACCESS TO EX-GAYS ******* From: "PFOX" ******* Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2005 ******* Ex-Gay Support Group Urges Fairfax Schools to Give Equal Access to Ex-Gays ******* Contact: Regina Griggs, PFOX Executive Director, 703-360-2225, [email protected] ******* Fairfax, VA � In a letter to high school principals in Fairfax County, school board member Stephen Hunt has recommended that the public schools host ex-gay speakers. �The school board censured Mr. Hunt, but we support ex-gay speakers in our schools because Fairfax County public schools have a history of discriminating against the ex-gay community,� explained Regina Griggs, executive director of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX). ******* Almost three years ago, then-Superintendent Dr. Daniel Domenech met with two activist groups, GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network) and PFLAG (Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays), to implement homosexual presentations and materials throughout the schools. �The school superintendent agreed to designate a �contact person for issues concerning gay, bisexual, transgendered and questioning youth,� distribute PFLAG brochures, conduct �sensitivity training for staff,� and help gay groups propose workshops and assemblies for students,� Griggs said. �However, the school superintendent refused to meet with ex-gay representatives. Perhaps he was influenced by GLSEN's policy of encouraging public schools to censor ex-gay materials.� ******* �As result, Fairfax County public schools have promoted gay issues while censoring ex-gays,� Griggs explained. �For example, James Madison High School invited a homosexual to address students on �the rights of gay adoption.� The speaker was formerly married with children but is now living with a man. He and his male companion could not have children together, so he told the students that gay couples should be allowed to adopt children,� Griggs said. �Yet the principal refused to grant equal access to an ex-gay speaker.� ******* �In addition, history students could get extra credit by attending PFLAG discussions, but PFOX was excluded,� Griggs continued. �The principal did not notify parents about these speakers so parents were unaware of what their children were being taught, and this topic was not reviewed by the Family Life Curriculum Advisory Council.� ******* Robert Rigby, Jr., a gay Fairfax County teacher and a director of the local GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) school clubs and GLSEN, participated in a picket with students against an ex-gay conference being held at a church. �The picketers used bullhorns to shout hateful remarks and carried an effigy of a nude woman,� said Griggs. �The teacher, who is also a coordinator of the Fairfax County Safe Schools Coalition, opposes our attempts to include ex-gay books and presentations in the school curriculum, although he endorses gay books and gay presentations.� ******* �The ex-gay community deserves tolerance and equal treatment,� Griggs said. �Fairfax County public schools should not promote some sexual groups (gays, bisexuals and transgenders) while discriminating against others (ex-gays). Our ex-gay teachers should not be censored. We urge the school board to allow ex-gay speakers and presentations immediately.� ******* # # # A copy of this press release is available online at: http://www.pfox.org/asp/newsman/templates/newstemplate.asp?articleid=196&zoneid=2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To subscribe to this list of ex-gay news and views, send a blank email to: [email protected] ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 3 TOLERANCE SOUGHT (LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF THE ROCKVILLE GAZETTE) ******* From: "PFOX" ******* Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2005 ******* In the Feb. 16 article, "Billboard removed; contract ran out," Rockville [Maryland] animal store operator Ruth Hanessian states that she is "pleased that we're back to being an inclusive city again" now that the [PFOX] ex-gay billboard is no longer up. ******* No, Rockville is not an inclusive city if we exclude ex-gays. My ex- gay friends deserve the same tolerance gays receive. Former homosexuals and lesbians are also worthy of respect. ******* Sincerely, Jackie Rice, Rockville [Maryland] ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 4 RESPONSE TO NATIONAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION'S REJECTION OF PFOX ******* From: "PFOX" ******* Date: Fri, 2 Jul 2004 ******* Dear National Mental Health Association, ******* I was deeply saddened to hear the news that you rejected an Organization for your annual conference that promotes positive alternatives to embracing a homosexual lifestyle i.e. P-FOX. ******* As a former homosexual, I believe it is imperative that those who are in conflict with their sexuality have all resources available that respect their right to self-determination in mental health therapy. ******* This includes knowing that there are trained professionals and community organizations that can be helpful to someone who does not want to embrace homosexual feelings as their identity or sexual orientation. Were it not for the help of others in this capacity, I truly believe I would not have overcome the deep depression and extreme mental illness I faced with my own sexual conflict. ******* What bothers me more is discovering the statement in the National Mental Health Association (NMHA) booklet - "What Does Gay Mean?" that states ...��attempts to �cure� lesbians and gay men may help change sexual behavior temporarily but will also create emotional trauma.� ******* I have experienced change in my sexual orientation, identity, and attractions and receiving help to do so did NOT cause emotional trauma! I am offended by such a statement that would discriminate against respected leaders in this area, such as Dr. Warren Throckmorton, Dr. Robert Spitzer and others, whose research shows this is not true. My own life and that of thousands of others also proves otherwise. In fact, I experienced emotional trauma when after visiting mental health professionals, I was encouraged to embrace homosexuality as the only alternative. Those counselors were unwilling to explore the underlying issues that I felt were the real problem. Finding those who were willing to do so has allowed me to resolve my sexual conflict more than I ever thought possible. Having sex with someone of the same gender never would have brought about the recovery and ability to live a healthy, productive life that I experience today. ******* Is there documentation or research to back up the NMHA booklet's statement that such therapy causes emotional trauma? ******* I respect the rights of others who wish to embrace a homosexual identity and/or lifestyle, but I also ask that those of us who have found resolution otherwise be respected, instead of mocked by such ridiculous statements, or discriminated against when it comes to "promoting mental health, preventing mental disorders and achieving victory over mental illness through advocacy, education, research and service" that your organization strives to do. ******* In reading NMHA's mission statement, values and goals, I find nothing that P-FOX and other similar organizations would not adhere. I implore NMHA's to exercise it's own statement..."Justice demands that every person, regardless of disability and other characteristics such as race, ethnicity, gender, age, economic status or sexual orientation, has the right and responsibilities of full participation in society"... towards those of us who have also dealt with the complexities of sexuality, but not caved into the unfounded, politically correct notions that embracing homosexuality is the only way to resolve same-sex attractions. ******* Sincerely, Don Corne, Richmond, VA ******* PFOX -- Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays ******* Box 561, Fort Belvoir VA 22060 ******* 703-360-2225 ******* [email protected] ******* www.pfox.org ******* To subscribe to this list, send a blank email to: [email protected] ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 5 ILLINOIS EVENT TONIGHT PROMPTS PROTESTERS AGAINST EX-HOMOSEXUAL ******* Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2004 ******* From: "Mission America" ******* NEWS RELEASE, Sept. 27, 2004 Illinois Family Institute www.illinoisfamily.org ******* CONTACT: David Smith: 773-858-6602 ******* EX-HOMOSEXUAL STEPHEN BENNETT, TARGET OF ANTI-CHRISTIAN PROTESTS AT OAK PARK CHURCH, KEYNOTES ILLINOIS FAMILY INSTITUTE BANQUET TONIGHT ******* GLEN ELLYN--Illinois Family Institute Executive Director Peter LaBarbera said today that homosexual protests Sunday against an Oak Park church hosting ex-"gay" speaker Stephen Bennett are "a telling glimpse into the anti-religious heart of the 'gay' activist movement, which redefines historic Christianity as 'hate and bigotry' and is intolerant of opposing viewpoints." ******* Bennett, who left the homosexual lifestyle and is now married to wife Irene and the father of two children, will give a free concert tonight (Monday) at Arlington Heights Evangelical Free Church, at 1330 N. Belmont Ave. in Arlington Heights. The concert begins at 8:00 p.m., following a banquet for the Institute at the church. ******* "These anti-Christian protests are typical of the 'gay' Left's escalating attack on the Church," LaBarbera said. "If 'hate crimes' and "sexual orientation" laws progress in the United States as they have in Canada, one day these same homosexual activists could be filing discrimination lawsuits against churches merely for teaching that homosexuality is a sin. ******* "Pastors need to wake up and understand that they cannot avoid preaching the truth about homosexuality and 'gay marriage,' because no movement in this country has the potential to criminalize Christianity as this one does," he said. ******* In Oak Park, homosexual protesters affiliated with the Chicago Anti-Bashing Network (CABN) chanted that Calvary Memorial Church was a "House of Hate" for hosting Bennett, who left the "gay" lifestyle when he became a Christian. (Stephen Bennett Ministries, www.sbministries.org, now helps others overcome homosexuality.) ******* Another group, Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association (OPALGA), held a more sedate protest in the morning, but one man had to be carried out of Calvary Memorial when he started yelling "born-again bigots" during a church service. ******* Both CABN and OPALGA crusade against the Boy Scouts of America, protesting the group's refusal to allow homosexual and atheist Scoutmasters. CABN compares the Scouts to racist fringe groups. ******* "It's amazing to me that the heartwarming testimony of a man who left homosexuality--a destructive lifestyle that has led tens of thousands of men to an early grave--is labeled as hate," LaBarbera said. "Anybody who has met Stephen Bennett knows he's not a hater. Homosexual activists are just petrified of the truth getting out that nobody has to be 'gay.'" -------------------------- Mail service for Mission America provided by American Family Online www.afo.net ******* Mission America www.missionamerica.com ************************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 6 PFOX BILLBOARD ******* From: "PFOX" ******* Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2005 ******* Billboard asserts that homosexuals can change ******* By Jen Hoffman ******* THE WASHINGTON TIMES ******* Published February 2, 2005 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- A national group has posted a billboard in Rockville that says homosexuals can become heterosexuals, a message critics say is misleading and only persecutes homosexuals. ******* The billboard, on Hungerford Drive, states, "Ex-gays prove that change is possible." ******* Next to the message is a photograph of a smiling young man. ******* Officials with the Parents and Friends of ExGays and Gays (PFOX), a nonprofit advocate for the ex-homosexual community, said people can choose to change from a homosexual to a heterosexual orientation. ******* "We believe that no one is born with same-sex attractions," said Richard Cohen, a former homosexual who is the group's president. ******* Homosexual rights activists said the billboard is offensive. ******* "It's an ugly, destructive message that persecutes gay people," said Wayne Besen, a homosexual activist and author of "Anything But Straight." ******* Officials with Equality Maryland, a homosexual rights group, agreed. ******* "If it wasn't so sad that people are spending so much money, energy and time that could be used on something constructive, like dealing with tsunami victims, it would be ludicrous," said Dan Furmansky, the group's executive director. ******* The billboard was put up in mid-January, and PFOX group officials say they will keep it posted for a short period of time because they have limited funds. ******* The sign was funded by families who are involved in the organization's "ex-gay" program, said Regina Griggs, the group's executive director. ******* "We do not have a single organization or church that is funding that billboard," she said. "It's all an independent effort." ******* PFOX has chapters in 18 states and the District. Officials said they chose to display the billboard in Rockville because the city is close to the group's headquarters in Northern Virginia. ******* "We also have about 40 families involved in the program that live in [Montgomery County]," Mrs. Griggs said. "It made perfect sense to put it up here." ******* The Montgomery County Council has not received any telephone calls or letters complaining about the billboard's location or content, said Michael Faden, a staff lawyer for the council. ******* The American Civil Liberties Union said it defends the rights of the PFOX group to display its message. ******* "All speech deserves protection," said Stacey Mink, a spokeswoman for the ACLU's Maryland chapter. ******* Mr. Cohen has been married for 22 years and has three children. ******* "I help people who want to change their sexuality," he said. "Change is possible, and my three kids prove it. So does my happy wife." ******* Melissa Coffey, a ministry associate at Regeneration Ministries, a Christian ministry that provides support to men and women "struggling with homosexuality," said the billboard's message is meant to provide hope. ******* "You're always hearing the other side of the issue -- that it's genetic, that's the way it is," she said. "If you're homosexual and you're happy, we're not gonna come knocking on your door. If you're homosexual and you're unhappy, you have choices. That's hopeful for people who don't have hope." ******* Copyright � 2005 News World Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. ### PFOX -- Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays Box 561, Fort Belvoir VA 22060 703-360-2225 [email protected] ******* #- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To subscribe to this list of ex-gay news and views, send a blank email to: [email protected] ************************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 7 HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANY DISCRIMINATES AGAINST EX-GAYS ******* From: "PFOX" ******* The Washington Times, Thur., Mar. 17, 2005, Page A9 http://www.washtimes.com/national/20050316-110725-3000r.htm ******* MAGELLAN DISMISSES ADVISER ******* A top multibillion-dollar managed-care health company has dismissed from its national professional advisory council a leading mental health academic who advocates therapy for homosexuals who wish to change their sexual orientation. ******* Magellan Health Services Inc. expelled Warren Throckmorton, psychology professor and counseling director at Grove City College in northwestern Pennsylvania, as "a business decision." ******* The company said Mr. Throckmorton's positions on homosexuality were "potentially controversial" and not "in the best interests" of the company's corporate clients and employees, company spokesman Erin S. Somers told The Washington Times. ******* "We made the decision ... out of concern that certain of his publicly expressed views could be potentially controversial to Magellan's stakeholders," she said. ******* She declined to elaborate. ******* Alex Rodriguez, the company's chief medical officer, expelled Mr. Throckmorton by telephone Feb. 14, and confirmed his action in a terse follow-up letter that stated no reason for the decision. ******* Mr. Throckmorton, past president of the American Mental Health Counselors Association, had advised Magellan's 63,000 mental health care providers since December 1999. ******* He said in a Feb. 16 letter to Mr. Rodriguez that the ethics code of the American Counseling Association requires clinical psychologists to "understand the diverse cultural backgrounds of the clients with whom they work" and not allow their own cultural, ethnic or racial identity to affect their counseling. ******* The code "is applicable to clients who seek to change their sexual orientation [and] applies to anyone who feels or perceives themselves as struggling with an issue that impacts negatively the quality and comfort of their daily life," he wrote. ******* "I am a champion of client self-determination, a value that I hope would also inform the values of Magellan," he told Mr. Rodriguez. ******* An official at Magellan's corporate offices told The Times that Mr. Throckmorton's service "stirred some concern" in the company when homosexual groups criticized a documentary he produced about former homosexuals titled "I Do Exist." ******* "There is a high percentage of gay men in the behavioral health world, and Warren's views are considered a threat," the company official said on the condition of anonymity. ******* "Magellan has caved in to pressure from those who disagree with me on an issue that will continue to be important to its subscribers," Mr. Throckmorton said in an interview. "Will treatment policy be dictated by political pressure on all issues?" ******* Dean Byrd, clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Utah, said Magellan's expulsion of Mr. Throckmorton "is merely a cloak for intolerance and a blatant disregard for differing worldviews, the essence of true diversity." ******* "I would hope that there would be an investigation of Magellan's business practices by both the government as well as their subscribers," he said. ******* Magellan is seeking managed-care business from Medicaid. ******* Copyright (c) 2005 News World Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. ******* THERAPY FOR EX-HOMOSEXUALS? ******* Views expressed by Warren Throckmorton when he was a member of the American Mental Health Counselors Association: * "I believe research evidence points toward sexual orientation being acquired throughout childhood and adolescence via an idiosyncratic interaction of temperament and life experiences. I believe genetic/biological influences exert an indirect effect on sexual attractions via interaction with environment." * "I believe sexual attractions are quite flexible for some people. To call sexual orientation change impossible is to ignore lives of people who have changed and research concerning change." * "I believe in rights of people seeking mental health counseling to determine their own sexual identity." * "I believe mental health counselors can ethically support people who want to reorient their sexual attractions." * "It is not my belief, as Magellan's chief medical officer has incorrectly asserted, that all homosexuals are mentally ill. That is not true and I do not believe that." * "I do not believe all homosexuals come from dysfunctional families." * "I do not believe mental health counselors should compel homosexual clients against their will to change sexual orientation." ******* SOURCE: Warren Throckmorton, www.drthrockmorton.com The Washington Times ---------------------------------------------- If any of you have coverage under Magellan you can call your customer service number and complain about this decision. If you just want to register your concerns about the decision to Magellan you can call 410-953-2014 and leave a message for Dr. Rodriguez that you are going to be checking to see if your coverage is Magellan and lodge a complaint about their actions. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To subscribe to this list of ex-gay news and views, send a blank email to: [email protected] ************************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 8 JUDGE RULES IN FAVOUR OF EX-GAY GROUP ******* From: "PFOX" ******* Date Fri, 6 May 2005 ******* Contact: Regina Griggs, Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX) Executive Director, 703-360-2225, Richard Cohen, PFOX President, 301-805-6111 ******* Prohibits public schools from implementing anti-ex-gay curriculum ******* Montgomery County, Maryland � A United States District Court has granted the request of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX.org) for a temporary injunction prohibiting the Montgomery County, Maryland public schools from implementing an anti-ex-gay sex ed curriculum. ******* U.S. District Court Judge Alexander Williams, Jr. ruled that the curriculum threatened PFOX's constitutional rights, including the First Amendment freedom of speech. ******* In his opinion, Judge Williams noted some of the curriculum's biased statements against ex-gays, including statements claiming that `[t]rying to change one's sexual response to straight or gay is usually unsuccessful,' and that `[i]n fact, it is often societal homophobia that forces people to attempt to change.' ******* "These statements were approved as teacher resources by the Montgomery County, Maryland Board of Education and its Citizens Advisory Committee," said Regina Griggs, executive director of PFOX. ******* "The School Board can follow its own stated goal of diminishing sexual orientation discrimination by starting with the ex-gay community," said Griggs. "The School Board failed to include resources with positive portrayals of former homosexuals and, instead, approved resources that attempt to discredit their decisions and experiences. The ex-gay community must not be excluded or discriminated against in our schools." ******* PFOX and its co-plaintiff, Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum, are represented by Liberty Counsel. ### To subscribe to this list of ex-gay news and views, send a blank email to: [email protected] ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 9 DR. ROBERT SPITZER ******* "PFOX" View Contact Details ******* Date: Thu, 12 May 2005 ******* from Christianity Today, April 2005, Vol. 49, No. 4, Page 94 http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/004/20.94.html ******* SPEAKING OUT Therapeutically Incorrect: Atheist psychiatrist argues that gays can change ******* Interview by Douglas Leblanc ******* Robert L. Spitzer argued in 1973 that homosexuality is not a clinical disorder�key to the American Psychiatric Association arriving at the same conclusion. Thirty years later, Spitzer caused another stir when he argued that some people who want to change their homosexual orientation may do so (Archives of Sexual Behavior, October 2003). ******* Spitzer is professor of psychiatry at Columbia University and chief of the New York State Psychiatric Institute's Biometrics Research Department. He describes himself as a Jewish atheist. Contributing editor Douglas LeBlanc interviewed Spitzer by phone. ******* What prompted you to do a study on reparative therapy for gays? ******* I was at an annual APA (American Psychiatric Association) meeting, where I spoke to some ex-gays who were picketing the meeting. They explained how they had changed. And that got me interested. Then I tried to organize a debate on the issue. When I was organizing the debate, it became clear that many of the people that I wanted to participate said there are really no good studies of this, it's all going to be just opinions. ******* Did anything surprise you as you did your interviews? ******* I guess it surprised me how convincing the accounts were. Joseph Nicolosi [of the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality] agreed to refer, I think, 10 or 20 patients to me. But he insisted on getting a summary of the results before going further. He didn't want to be set up, I guess. But from the very first people that I talked to, I had the feeling they were talking about something real. ******* What stood out for you as something that made the patients convincing? ******* You talk to people and you get a sense of whether they're being candid or not. I had the sense that they were. Also, there was a consistency, the fact that the change was described as slow and not immediate. ******* Some of your critics say that only fundamentalists would even think about taking up reparative therapy. ******* The scene has changed drastically over the last 20 or 30 years. When I started clinical practice in 1961, it was very common to get a male patient who wanted to change. Today those people don't go to psychiatrists because the word is out that the mental health profession doesn't regard it as a problem. ******* How has the study affected your standing among your colleagues? ******* Many colleagues were outraged. I remember when it first appeared in the media, I got a letter from, I think, a dean of admissions at Columbia. He wrote me that it was just a disgrace that a Columbia professor should do such a thing. Within the gay community, there was initially tremendous anger and feeling that I had betrayed them. I think that has largely dissipated. But also, I'm at the point in my career that I don't worry about such things. ******* Have you considered conducting a follow-up study? ******* No. I feel a little battle fatigue. But also I'm not sure what the study would be. Some people have said, "Follow these people, interview them five years later, see how many of them have switched back," since it's well known that some ex-gays give it up. ******* But suppose you found that 5 percent or 10 percent did switch back. I mean, so what? You'd find the same thing if you followed people who had treatment for drug addiction. Some are going to relapse. ******* The study that ought to be done is a controlled study where people go into the therapy, and then you initially evaluate them, and then you evaluate them later and see how many actually changed. But that study is not going to be done, unfortunately. ******* Is that because of a lack of interest or funding? ******* The reasons are, number one, reparative therapists are not scientists�they don't do studies. The second reason is, if somebody proposed that the National Institute of Mental Health do such a study, I think almost certainly any gays in the study section would say this is a total waste of time: They would say "We already know it's hokum, so why do it?". ******* You've said very clearly that no one should be coerced into reparative therapy. ******* I think the politically correct term now is reorientation therapy. Reparative already implies something's broken�of course the reparative therapists believe this, but it kind of infuriates the gays to even call it reparative therapy. ******* Copyright � 2005 Christianity Today. Article is located at: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/004/20.94.html - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To subscribe to this list of ex-gay news and views, send a blank email to: [email protected] **************************************************************************************************************** item 10 SEVENTEENTH LOVE WON OUT CONFERENCE - Soulforce & Neo-Nazis ******* From: "PFOX" ******* Date: 22 Dec 2004 ******* Stopping the Hate Against Ex-Gays - What do Fred Phelps, Soulforce and Neo-Nazis have in common? ******* Nearly 1,200 people packed the sanctuary of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Liberty, Mo., on June 22 for Focus on the Family�s 17th Love Won Out conference. They came despite the protests of the notorious Westboro Baptist Church, home of the controversial Fred Phelps, who calls conference speaker Mike Haley and other ex-gays �Filthy, lawless, irreversibly doomed beasts.� Mel White�s Soulforce coalition also showed up with anti-ex-gay picket signs. Even a neo-Nazi group came to register its anger over ex-gays. ******* "This is another example of intolerance displayed by those who want to intimidate and silence us just because we provide another voice in the discussion of homosexuality," said Mike Haley, a "Love Won Out" conference speaker. "Ultimately, those who refuse to acknowledge that homosexually attracted men and women can change display a cruel disregard for those who do not want to be homosexual." ******* Haley, whose story as a former homosexual is featured in a Kansas City Star ad, said, "I and thousands of others know firsthand that true change is possible, and we will continue to share our message of hope with those who want it. Despite attempts to discredit our message, people continue to hunger for the truth, and tomorrow will be a day of hope and healing for them." ******* Focus on the Family helped generate some of the coverage by placing a full-page ad, featuring Love Won Out speaker and Exodus North American board member Mike Haley, in the Kansas City Star the day before the conference. ******* A gay reporter who was actually one of the organizers for the Soulforce protest summed up the hopeful, honest approach Love Won Out takes in addressing homosexuality: �Mike Haley�s [testimony] was hard to ignore. ******* He hit a chord with me about the emptiness he felt about the gay community and the obsession with sex. I found the gay life as empty as he did. I�ve only seen committed relationships one time. Mike never found what he was looking for and he scored points with me on that.� ******* For more information visit ### http://www.lovewonout.com ### PFOX -- Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays, Box 561, Fort Belvoir VA 22060, 703-360-2225, [email protected], www.pfox.org ******* To subscribe to this list of ex-gay news and views, send a blank email to: [email protected] ********************************************************************************************************

Links to other sites on the Web

(A3e2e1a) PFOX -- Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays
(A3e2e1b) American Family Online
(A3e2e1c) Illinois Family Institute
(A3e2e1d) Mission America
(A3e2e1e) Dr. Throckmorton's web site
(A3e2e1f) (A) home page

The following warning is a prophetic message given to me, Frank Wagner, in November of 1974. ******* LISTEN TO THE CRY OF THE ABORTED CHILDREN. THEIR CRY IS NO. THEIR CRY IS A CRY OF TERROR. HEED THEIR CRY. ******* This prophecy is now being fulfilled. ******* For details about the source, meaning and fulfillment of this prophetic message go to ******* http://ca.geocities.com/fwagner4/index.html ******* email me at *** [email protected] ***