I’m grateful to folks like Dan Gonzales and averyfineline, who send me factoids and tips via e-mail — or who post them directly to the site. I regret that I frequently lack time to follow through with these worthwhile suggestions.
I’m also thankful that some antigay folks (Trevize, Prof. Throckmorton) are willing to communicate periodically at this site.
At the same time, I’m feeling frustrated by anonymous hit-and-run commenters, who mindlessly parrot talk-radio and religious-right bigotry having little or no foundation in the gospels. Before they can be held accountable for their accusations — poof, they’re gone.
I also remain concerned that the quality of information and writing on the site becomes unsustainable when only one person is doing most of the work.
Regular readers of XGW (and I appreciate all your interest, by the way) no doubt have observed that posts here are far less frequent than they could or should be. I have a number of demands on my time:
- big career issues
- relationship-building
- a redesign at IGF
- concern for exgays who aren’t political, who are being wounded by the culture warriors
With my own limited time and a concern for disruptive comments in mind, I’m inclined to implement TypeKey-style comment registration at XGW. The purpose: to ensure that commenters are real people, and not likely to do a fly-by.
I welcome feedback about that.
And, as always, I welcome a diverse range of volunteer authors to make this site more active and dynamic. Ideal authors are those who, regardless of gay, exgay, or heterosexual "identity," might be interested in periodically writing a thoughtful, critical review of the factual ups and downs of various exgay activists, pundits and counseling groups.
I realize all we can do is ask nicely, but XGW would be a MUCH better forum for publication of Wayne Besen’s writings than an online radio station that plays circuit music 24/7.
Oh and making people register is fine by me, but what about combining that with a screening system for anon posts? ie someone from XGW has to approve any anon posts before they appear on the site.
I’m going out drinking right now since it’s 9pm on Saturday, but you’ll be hearing more of me.
Thanks for your kind efforts Mike, it really does mean a lot to some of us. My darker momnents tell me that those cC’s who post here represent the more aware and intellectually active folks in the fundagelic world.
Have you thought about going to Winnepeg now, to see what a Canadian winter would be like?
Type-Key would be fine. that’s what I use for signing in over at InTheFaith (for the Kirk Talley thread). It makes sense.
As for relationship-building … bravo on you! Go for it.
I just encountered your website this week and have started following it. I have had your RSS feed syndicated at LiveJournal so that I can view new posts through my friends page. Here is the link, in case you’re interested:
https://www.livejournal.com/userinfo.bml?user=exgay_watch
I’m not sure, but I believe this service is only available to paid members of LJ. I had to be one to set up the account.
I am a writer, and an ex-ex-gay and an ex-fundamentalist. I attended support group meetings at a Christian ministry in Toronto under the umbrella of Exodus International between 1990 and 1995. I am beginning to write about the experience; until recently it was too much of an emotional landmine. I am concerned about writing truthfully and objectively. I am not interested in ax-grinding. For now I simply want to read your content and perhaps comment, but I might consider writing in the future.
Hey Van, there have been several occasions when I’ve felt strongly about something that wasn’t being covered here so I basically wrote up a post, sent it to Mike and he posted it pretty much word-for-word. If something strikes you I encourage you to write it up and send it in even if you don’t want to become a formal contributer.
Dan: As far as I’m concerned, Wayne would be welcome to author posts here. But he makes a living by writing, so it would make limited sense for him to give away his writing to XGW. This site isn’t a financial sinkhole — Google ads very nearly cover the TypePad hosting fees — but it’s not quite profitable, either.
Van: I encourage you to participate — and to confront people (including me) if someone seems to be grinding axes.
Dale: Steve and I ventured up to Minneapolis for 10 days during the holidays. That was the farthest north that I’ve ever been — yet.
Ray/everybody: My current host, TypePad, doesn’t support TypeKey (even though they’re owned by the same company). So assuming it happens at all, I won’t be able to implement TypeKey until I move the site to a MovableType platform.
I want to know more about Roy Blankenship of Georgia – WHY IS ROY BLANKENSHIP ON THE BOARD?
ROY runs https://www.trekministies.org –which is trying to add an ex-gay program from what I can gather. It is a part of the mega First Baptist Church out in Woodbury, Georgia I believe.
Looks like four +/- graduates so far (mostly druggies, not gays/lesbians) with four claming to have entered the current June 2005 program —each one who is now listed as a “counselors” and/or “house leaders”
One graduate with a PDF testimonial on the site is Andrew Moore. Andrew only states that he entered the program because he was “shy” or whatever. Andrew, come tell us why you found the program successful? You are cute enough to be possibly be next ex-gay poster child.
Roy is married with no children and has “taken in many boys” into his home according to the Exodus Website. What is his great interest in the ex-gay movement? why is he on the board of Exodus? ,,and could someone snap a photo of him Coming OUT?
Roy Blankenship is affiliated with First Baptist Church Woodstock, Ga. I just wanted to make that clear. I tried to go teh the “trekministries.org” site. I was taken to a site affiliated with a church in IL. There seems to be some confusion.
Please do not misunderstand me, I am NOT a RB fan whatsoever. He and I have exchanged some very tense words in the past and may do so in the present!
Roy just wants to be like most other “ex-gay” leaders and show the world that GLBT people are that way by choice and can be changed by the power of God. What RB fails to realize is that we are who we are because God created us as thus!
I have worked with Roy Blankenship on a personal level and for your information he is not an “ex-gay” individual nor is he one to believe homosexuality is a choice! You see, he has counseled me and has shared his beliefs about homosexuality which are quite the contrary of what you say. Also, he is on the Exodus board not to advocate “ex-gay” relations; he is a communications director at First Babtist Woodstock and is trying to come up with a diplomatic solution to all the conflict!
Zach,
Thank you for your effort to dispute earlier commenters’ remarks.
I would welcome some indication, from Blankenship directly or from quoted statements made by Blankenship, what exactly his beliefs are. You do not say what his beliefs are, nor do you indicate whom you are speaking to here — Darryl, Bart, or someone else.
Please don’t hesitate to shed additional light on this subject.