Ex-Gay Watch

Will you love the “you” you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?

from Will You Come & Follow Me (hymn)

Three and a half years ago I confessed before friends and family a secret that had been eating away at me since early boyhood. There followed perhaps the biggest sense of relief I have ever felt. The shame, anxiety and sheer terror that kept me bound for years was gone in a moment when I found the courage – after much umming and ahhing – to say the words “Mom, I’m gay.”

And then it didn’t seem to matter who knew. I didn’t care if the pastor who told me I was going through a “phase” knew. I didn’t care if the friends who prayed, studied and lived with me at Bible college knew. I didn’t care if the people I passed every day in the street knew. I just loved the feeling of not caring what people thought of me. I loved not living in constant fear of exposure. I loved being honest and just being me.

Today is National Coming Out Day. Congratulations to those who have found somewhere deep within themselves the will and strength to be who they are without shame. To those of you still scared and defeated: Come out. You will not regret the decision to stop hiding.

-Connecticut legalizes same-sex marriage.

-Bolthouse Farms distances itself from its anti-gay founder.

-Via TWO: Talk show host John Selig talks to Wayne Besen about his work fighting ex-gay groups, and ex-gay survivor Brian Nesbitt talks about why he went into therapy, what therapy was like, and what led him to leave it behind and protest ex-gay organizations.

-Timothy Kincaid investigates the scare tactics being used by proponents of California Prop. 8.

-Straight spouses lend their support to National Coming Out Day.

As XGW reported last week, Bob Stith, the Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) National Strategist for Gender Issues and Exodus speaker, apologized in an email to us for his use of erroneous quotes from noted geneticist Francis Collins. XGW has made correction of the misuse of Collins’ materials a priority since NARTH‘s Dean Byrd mangled words from Collins book last year.

While the ex-gay activist who appears to have made up this particular quote, Greg Quinlan, has refused to issue a correction, Stith seems genuinely concerned about the error and submitted a correction to Baptist Press who had published the original article.  Today we see that Baptist Press has made the changes promised, along with a note which calls attention to the correction.

The following paragraphs have been removed from the article:

For example, in 2003, the International Human Genome Consortium announced the successful completion of the Human Genome Project, which, among other things, identified each of the approximately 20,000-25,000 genes in human DNA. The press release read: “The human genome is complete and the Human Genome Project is over.”

While this accomplishment was widely reported, almost no one reported the words of Dr. Francis Collins, the head of the project. Collins, arguably the nation’s most influential geneticist, said, “Homosexuality is not hardwired. There is no gay gene. We mapped the human genome. We now know there is no genetic cause for homosexuality.”

Somehow the major media missed that little tidbit. Collins and others acknowledge that genetics can predispose but not predetermine. This supports other studies that clearly document the possibility of change for people who struggle with unwanted homosexual desire. [emphasis added]

and the following verbiage has been added:

In his book “The Language of God” Dr. Francis Collins, head of the Human Genome project, made the following comments:

“An area of particularly strong public interest is the genetic basis of homosexuality. Evidence from twin studies does in fact support the conclusion that heritable factors play a role in male homosexuality. However, the likelihood that the identical twin of a homosexual male will also be gay is about 20% (compared with 2-4 percent of males in the general population), indicating that sexual orientation is genetically influenced but not hardwired by DNA, and that whatever genes are involved represent predispositions, not predeterminations” (p. 260, “The Language of God”).

Dr. Collins has since stated that this should not be taken out of context. He further stated: “That certainly doesn’t imply, however, that those other undefined factors are inherently alterable “I would urge anyone who is concerned about the meaning to refer back to the original text.”

I would certainly encourage readers to do that, paying particular attention to pages 257-263.

The article itself is now prefaced with a notice of revision:

REVISED: October 8, 2008 to reflect more accurate wording from “The Language of God” by Dr. Francis Collins.

Stith has told us that he submitted and requested both the correction and a new article to reference it, but that he has no direct control of the process. Apparently Baptist Press did not see fit to follow his advice which is unfortunate as it may have helped curb the number of subsequent quotes of this erroneous statement.

While some are unhappy that more was not done, one should not forget that this is progress. Those who have linked to the article will find no support for the Quinlan inspired quote and will see that Baptist Press has itself recognized it as erroneous. For those of us who try to inform others who are quoting this in error, such references do help.

Of course, the real responsiblity for all of this lands squarely with Quinlan, and prior to that, Byrd and NARTH, neither of whom have lifted a finger to correct their errors.

Original:  Stith Boltz Article – Archived

A British journalist has gone undercover to investigate the ex-gay movement.

Lucy Bannerman of The Times (London) spent a week at an Exodus retreat at the LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Centre, North Carolina, an experience she dubbed “six days of evangelism psychotherapy.”

The report does not contain much of surprise to anyone familiar with the ex-gay movement, sticking safely to the most ubiquitous characterizations, some of which are unfortunately never substantiated in the piece itself. For example, the article is boldly titled, “The camp that ‘cures’ homosexuality,” and yet little in the text establishes that Exodus was out directly to “cure” participants. Likewise, the main body of the article begins, “Welcome to ex-gay boot camp,” but this comes across as a lazy cliche, out of step with the story that follows. Why “boot camp”? Why not “retreat”? Or “conference”? Perhaps it’s a fair description – but Bannerman never justifies it.

The author also throws up a number of tantalizing claims without providing direct quotes or context. For example, she writes that “We are told repeatedly that marriage is evidence of healing,” but this is vague. One speaker “manages to link her gay ex-husband’s death from an Aids-related illness to his father’s links with the “Serbian mafia”,” but again this is vague, with no sense of context. Since these are the most interesting claims made in the article, it would have been nice to see more substantiation.

The ex-gay conundrum

Nevertheless, the piece contains some fascinating quotes that echo the concerns of Exodus’s critics. For instance, here a participant sums up the ex-gay conundrum in a nutshell: Read more…

Evergreen International bills itself as “the most complete resource for Latter-day Saints on same-sex attraction.”  As one of the larger ex-gay organizations after Exodus International, a number of familiar names in that arena hail from Evergreen.  Outgoing NARTH President Dean Byrd is one example.

While they exist to serve other Mormons, there is a curious ecumenical cooperation between Evergreen and Evangelical organizations such as Exodus.  Exodus President Alan Chambers and Vice President Randy Thomas have spoken at Evergreen’s annual conference in the past, and Exodus speaker Janelle Hallman was a keynote speaker, both in 2003 and just last month.

From this the reader should understand that Evergreen is not a small, back-woods ministry — it’s a big deal in the ex-gay world.  This fact only serves to intensify our shock at finding convicted sex offender Chris Austin listed as a resource,* (archived) right along with the aforementioned Exodus staff and many others.  Chris Austin is an ex-gay therapist who was convicted of sexual assault on a client last year.  He is listed under the heading “Keynote Speakers and Frequent Presenters at Evergreen conferences, Firesides, and Workshops.”

Christopher Austin is a therapist specializing in homosexual and sexual addiction recovery. He and his wife are therapists at Christian counseling centers in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. He is the creator of RENEW, a multi-dimensional treatment approach for men struggling with homosexuality, and has written a treatment program called Cleaning Out the Closet. His wife Karla runs programs for spouses of husbands who struggle with homosexuality. They are the parents of three boys.

Although (thankfully) it appears Austin has not spoken at an event since 1996, this would be little solace to someone in Irving, Texas who might find this reference and consider it a validation of Austin’s credentials. As we reported last year, even after being sentenced to 10 years (reduced to 7 years probation), Austin was still answering the phone as “Dr. Austin, Counseling Center.”  With the unwitting assistance of organizations like Evergreen, Austin could conceivably pick up where he left off.

Incidents like this emphasize the generally haphazard way so many ex-gay organizations conduct business.  These are largely not professional therapeutic programs, but ministries in the loosest sense.  They are often rife with factual assertions which have no basis in fact, or scriptural interpretations which substitute for therapeutic training.  Anyone can establish and run one of these groups — they are not required to be accountable to anyone.

Evergreen does not respond to emails from XGW.  We publicly call for them to edit Austin’s reference to reflect his conviction and thereby help inform those who may have thought him a good resource by way of Evergreen’s negligent reference. To simply remove his name with no explanation would be an attempt avoid responsibility for this negligence entirely.

We also call on Evergreen to explain how this happened in a transparent manner; do they have anyone monitoring their resources for accuracy?  If not, why not, and if so, what happened?  These are serious questions that demand a public reply.

Since ex-gay ministries so often stand as cover for the covert practice of psychiatry, should they be monitored and regulated as such?

*Update: (Oct 9, 2:00am ET) – It appears that Evergreen has finally removed the reference to Chris Austin, however they provided no explanation and no warning to those who might have seen and trusted it over the past year.  We emailed Evergreen again yesterday to ask them to take it down, but commenter Bill Rice says he called them as well.  Whichever worked, at least it is finally down.

Last month, the Associated Press reported that a church which Vice Presidential hopeful Gov. Sarah Palin currently attends was promoting the recent Love Won Out conference in Anchorage, Alaska. Truth Wins Out called on her to speak out about this, but she never did. TWO’s Wayne Besen was present along with many supportive organizations and individuals to counter LWO with peaceful demonstrations that encouraged the truth to be told about the LGBTQ community.Gov. Palin did not at first address homosexuality by calling it a “choice.” She gave one of her first interviews to Charlie Gibson and said the following:

In her first interview with Charlie Gibson last month, Gov. Palin indicated that she is aware of the nature vs. nurture debate on the cause of homosexuality, and that she seems to consider the answer based on belief, rather than science.

Oh, I don’t know, but I’m not one to judge and, you know, I’m from a family and from a community with many, many members of many diverse backgrounds and I’m not going to judge someone on whether they believe that homosexuality is a choice or genetic. I’m not going to judge them. [emphasis added]

Later, a clip of Gov. Palin speaking to journalist Katie Couric was posted to the Internet where Palin had this to say:

And you know, I don’t know what prayers are worthy of being prayed and I don’t know what prayers are going to be answered or not answered. But as for homosexuality, I am not going to judge Americans and the decisions that they make in their adult personal relationships. I have one of my absolute best friends for the last 30 years who happens to be gay, and I love her dearly, and she is not my “gay friend,” she is one of my best friends, who happens to have made a choice that isn’t a choice that I have made. But I’m not going to judge people. [emphasis added]

In response to the comments made in the second interview, former ex-gay Daniel Gonzales released a video telling Palin how he tried to go straight by praying and participating in years of therapy costing thousands of dollars but was still unsuccessful. Wayne Besen has also sent her a gratis copy of his ex-gay expose book, Anything But Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth.

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XGW does not officially endorse any particular party or ticket as doing so would be contrary to our mission.  This article involving Alaska Governor and Vice Presidential hopeful Sarah Palin is not a tacit endorsement of another politician – rather, the term “ex-gay” has come up numerous times in conjunction with her name.  Please limit the discussion to that scope and avoid political or ad-hominem attacks.  Thank you.

-Ecuador extends civil unions to same-sex couples.

-Truth Wins Out continues its battle to reverse James Dobson’s inclusion in the Radio Hall of Fame.

-Fundamentalist Christians blame gays and lesbians and the overall sexual culture of America for the current economic crisis.

-Salon Magazine exposes “liberal Democrat” David Blankenhorn, who wrote an editorial in favor of California Prop. 8.

-Bill Maher interviews “ex-gay” John Westcott in a clip of his upcoming movie Religulous.

-Peterson Toscano talks about his ex-gay experiences on The Agenda, the Human Rights Campaign’s radio program.

Nancy Alcorn, founder and head of Mercy Ministries, a “Bible-based” rehabilitation home for girls facing ailments ranging from eating disorders to sexual abuse, is a closeted lesbian according to former member Jennifer Wynne. Nashville Scene provides an eye-opening article outing Alcorn and exposing terrifying realities behind Mercy Ministries, as described by the experiences of several former members.

Wynne, a lesbian herself, was entrusted with providing alibis for Alcorn’s secret liaisons with another “ex-lesbian” named Lisa who paid frequent visits to Mercy, where “looking lesbian was a major crime.” Wynne, in Alcorn’s inner circle, became part of the deception.

While Wynne was in Dallas, Alcorn told her about Lisa, a nutritionist at the Nashville home. Lisa had been gay for 17 years, said Alcorn, but now she was straight. Which made it all the more puzzling to Wynne when Alcorn would shut her door at night with Lisa in the bed behind her. Wynne wasn’t sure exactly what was happening. She just knew that every once in a while Alcorn could be counted on to rush into her room in the middle of the night, frantically begging Wynne to pray with her that Lisa wouldn’t leave.

Thus began a pattern. Lisa would threaten to go and Alcorn would buy her something. First it was a Range Rover. Then a newer Range Rover. And finally a house in Belle Meade. When Alcorn’s pastor caught wind of the relationship, he offered a remedy reminiscent of Alcorn’s own prescription for preventing lesbianism: a separation contract.

Suddenly Wynne’s job title changed. At 20 years old, she was already Mercy’s youngest intake director, the second-highest gig in the house. Now she was also Alcorn’s alibi. Wynne was dragged along to local coffee shops to witness Alcorn and Lisa’s “accidental” run-ins. They’d leave together afterward.

A blog was started by another former Mercy member, Jodi Ferris, to be a witness to the injustices experienced there. It’s entitled “Mercy Ministries of America: Truth Will Out.”

Hat Tip: Commenter John Weaver

Last week, the Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) National Strategist for Gender Issues and Exodus speaker, Bob Stith, weighed in on Ray Boltz’ announcement that he has been gay all his life and that God created him that way.  Ray Boltz is a celebrated contemporary Christian musician and his announcement prompted many in the ex-gay and anti-gay world to publicly reinforce their belief that homosexuality is the result of nurture, not nature, and that it can be changed.

As XGW has reported, one of the more recent distortions being used to reinforce that belief is a quote from noted geneticist Francis Collins who headed the massive effort to map the human genome, a task completed in 2003.  The quote is from the appendix of his book, The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief and was used by National Association for the Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) incoming President Dean Bryd for an article last year which, even according to Collins himself, twisted it’s meaning to make Byrd’s own point. XGW dealt with this when it came out.

In mid-September, in another Boltz aftermath interview, ex-gay activist Greg Quinlan apparently morphed this distortion into an even more egregious one, seemingly out of thin air.

When he says he’s born that way, we know now for a fact that that’s false. In fact, just last year in March, the director of the Human Genome Project, Dr. Francis Collins, said this: homosexuality is not hardwired. There is no gay gene. We mapped the human genome. We now know there is no genetic cause for homosexuality.” [emphasis added]

That last part did not appear in any Google search until after Quinlan gave his interview on September 15, 2008, and Collins himself denies ever saying it at all. When informed that the quote was erroneous, Quinlan accused XGW of lying and claimed that he had found the same one on “professional mental health organization” websites. We could find no such sites, save the related reference at NARTH.

While XGW went about contacting Collins yet again, Stith made his own comments through an article he authored in the Southern Baptist Press on September 25, ten days after Quinlan’s comments.  His article contained two areas of particular concern to us: Read more…