Ex-Gay Watch

In response to a query from Grove City professor Warren Throckmorton, pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church has provided this statement concerning the Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Bill and one of it’s major backers, Martin Ssempa.

Martin Ssempa does not represent me, my wife Kay, Saddleback Church, nor the Global PEACE Plan strategy. In 2007, we completely severed contact with Mr. Ssempa when we learned that his views and actions were in serious conflict with our own. Our role, and the role of the PEACE Plan, whether in Uganda or any other country, is always pastoral and never political. We vigorously oppose anything that hinders the goals of the PEACE Plan: Promoting reconciliation, Equipping ethical leaders, Assisting the poor, Caring for the sick, and Educating the next generation.

This is an important step for Warren, as he was an early supporter of Ssempa, who no doubt receives a great deal of perceived legitimacy from Christians in Uganda through that connection. Warren has concentrated on that country, deeming it a “Purpose Driven Nation,” referring to the trademark phrase of his ministry.

This is the kind of clear and concise message that must be sent to the people and leaders of Uganda, especially from the Christian groups in this country. And while we would like to see stronger language explicitly condemning the Anti-Homosexuality Bill itself, we commend Warren has his wife, Kay, for doing this, and for not muddying the message with side claims and excuses.

Join the Facebook group to speak out against the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009.

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-Anti-gay hate crimes are on the rise in London.

-Army Secretary John McHugh weighs in on Don’t Ask Don’t Tell.

-Stephen Colbert skewers opponents of Washington Referendum 71.

-Stand For Marriage Maine distances itself from Peter LaBarbera’s Maine press conference.

-Opponents of same-sex marriage offer weak arguments against the District of Columbia’s proposed marriage equality law.

-A US District Court denies the National Organization for Marriage’s petition to keep its donor rolls secret.

-The Christian Anti-Defamation Coalition refers to Paul Cameron’s and Scott Lively’s organizations as “fine Christian groups.”

-A homeless shelter for gay LGBT youth receives a $300,000 bequest from the estate of actress Bea Arthur.

-President Obama to announce an end to the HIV travel ban.

We haven’t checked yet to see if it varies from the second hand copies that have been offered up to now, but this is a copy of the official bill provided by Martin Ssempa, a key sponsor.  Please share this as you contact others to make them aware of the severity of the human rights abuses it will prompt.

Reading the the objectives of this bill, it becomes clear why so many conservative groups and ministries, such as Exodus and Focus on the Family, have not spoken out more clearly against it: they share common goals with the anti-gay forces in Uganda.  Some may be thinking this is a rather obvious point, but the realization was somewhat chilling.

• provide for marriage in Uganda as that contracted only between a man and a woman;
• prohibit and penalize homosexual behavior and related practices in
  Uganda as they constitute a threat to the traditional family;
• prohibit ratification of any international treaties, conventions,
  protocols, agreements and declarations which arc contrary or
  inconsistent with the provisions of this Act;
• prohibit the licensing of organizations which promote
  homosexuality.

This bill aims at strengthening the nation’s capacity to deal with emerging internal and external threats to the traditional heterosexual family.

This legislation further recognizes the fact that same sex attraction is not an innate and immutable characteristic.

While I am sure that many are genuinely disturbed that this bill provides for the death penalty, is it acceptable to take an individual’s freedom away for life, or even for a few years, simply for having a relationship with another adult, or for not informing the state of such? How about forced “treatment” (change is possible)? And how many, if they are honest about it, are saying to themselves, “yeah! It’s about time someone stopped those homosexuals?”

Before the Supreme Court struck down sodomy laws in the US in 2003 (Lawrence v. Texas), then Exodus Media Director Randy Thomas made it clear they were against the move:

After much reflection and more research it does appear that if the Supreme court overturns this case it could be a watershed event in redefining the family. Therefore, in the realm of public dialog, the possibility of overturning the laws deserves opposition from those of us who want to defend our beliefs as they pertain to Biblical models of relationships.

Other conservative organizations made even stronger arguments against repeal. While not often enforced, the most extreme penalty for such a “crime” at that time was life in prison. Exodus President Alan Chambers commented “We don’t live in 1953 Christian America anymore.”  In the state of Florida, where Exodus is headquartered, the penalty for sodomy was death until the early part of the last century.

So if they take issue now with what is happening in Uganda, does that hit too close to home?  Even if Exodus decided to issue a definitive statement against these proposed laws, would they have any moral authority to do so without first apologizing for their own stance just a few short years ago?

And then there is Don Schmierer, the Exodus board member who participated in the infamous “Homosexuality” conference in Uganda last March.  Even if he was truly in the dark about the purpose of that meeting, Exodus has never disavowed his visit (quite the contrary).  The entire episode was so odious that it prompted several, myself included, to call for Schmierer’s removal from the board and Chamber’s resignation.

What Chambers sees as just another issue to avoid, a better leader would have recognized as a golden opportunity.  Exodus wants us to see them as having a compassionate response to “those impacted by homosexuality.”  What a bold and genuinely moral stand they could have made if they had only spoken up early and clearly.

Addendum: Evangelicals Taking a Stand

Andrew Marin (Marin Foundation) has made a clear statement against this bill.
Chad Thompson, ex-gay activist, made a clear and detailed statement.
Shawn Harrison, Six11 Ministries – a passionate plea.

Source: AFP

An official with the US Embassy in Kampala, Uganda, has said that the new Anti-Homosexuality Bill, if enacted into law, would “mark a major setback in the promotion of human rights.”

We urge states to take all necessary measures to ensure that sexual orientation or gender identity may under no circumstances be the basis for criminal penalties, in particular executions, arrests, or detention.

Ugandan Ethics Minister James Nsaba Buturo spoke with journalists today. While acknowledging the great numbers of “foreigners” who express grave concern over the possibility of such a bill becoming law, he made it clear that he is not paying attention to them.

Buturo balked at the notion that the proposed bill — which, among other things, would criminalise any public discussion of homosexuality and could penalise an individual who knowingly rented property to a homosexual — constituted a human rights violation.

“We are really getting tired of this phrase human rights. It is being abused. Anything goes, and if you are challenged? ‘Oh, it’s my right’,” the minister snapped.

The proposed bill would have wide ranging effects, making it a crime to even know a gay or lesbian in Uganda without reporting them to the authorities. Public discussion of GLBT issues would come to a full stop as that too could be punished as “promoting” homosexuality.

A Facebook group on this issue has been set up by Warren Throckmorton and has approx 700 members at last count.

Today U.S. President Barack Obama signed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Hate Crimes Act into law, adding “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” to the list of federally recognized classes. This is the fruition of 10 years of work for the parents of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man whose brutal murder made national news. The Matthew Shepard Foundation issued a statement in response, expressing their gratitude. This is a notable step forward for the cause of equality.

The Current is a program on CBC’s Radio One in Canada. In the third segment of a recent show, host Anna Maria Tremonti discusses the proposed laws against homosexuality in Uganda. Her guests include representatives from rights groups inside and out of Uganda, along with Jeff Sharlet, author of The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism At The Heart Of American Power.

Scroll down to segment three here or listen to the direct audio (MP3).

Hat Tip: IGLHRC

This is a follow-up to our previous post questioning the apparent internship of a Liberty University student, Christopher Doyle, with discredited ex-gay guru Richard Cohen. Tim Clinton (mentioned in previous post) responded to our email two days after we requested information about this issue. Cohen has not responded to a similar inquiry.

The Center for Counseling and Family Studies at Liberty University is not affiliated with the International Healing Foundation (IHF) nor has IHF been approved as an internship site. Additionally, Richard Cohen has not been or would not be, as we understand the matter, approved as a supervisor for one of our students. The IHF site describes the student as an “IHF Intern Therapist” and goes on to state that this individual “is completing his master’s degree in counseling from Liberty University.” However, he is not formally identified by the IHF site as an intern of the Center for Counseling and Family Studies at Liberty University. Any supervision or training provided by Mr. Cohen are not activities sanctioned by our program as part of a clinical training experience.

We thank Dr. Clinton for his investigation of this issue and the timely response. Cohen has also since made changes to his website concerning Doyle:

New IHF OnSite And Telephone Counselor Under the Direct Supervision of Richard Cohen!

has now become:

New IHF OnSite and Telephone Sexual Reorientation Coach Being Trained and Mentored by Richard Cohen!

A disclaimer of sorts has also been added to the details, noting that “Christopher’s work at IHF is not fulfilling educational requirements for his master’s degree.” It is apparent that Liberty wanted Cohen to make the non-connection very clear, as we can appreciate. Whatever Doyle is doing with Cohen and IHF, it is outside his educational path at Liberty.

One can only hope that those charged with guiding Doyle’s academic life have communicated to him (with all due urgency) the detrimental effects such a relationship will likely have on his professional career.

-A spokesman for Stand For Marriage Maine admits that the organization has made dishonest claims in its ads.

-Congressman Jared Polis’ partner talks about being a gay congressional spouse.

-Another anti-gay crusader is caught in a scandal.

-Irish sports star Donal Og Cusack comes out of the closet.

-Protect Marriage Washington ramps up its anti-gay rhetoric.

-Jason Kuznicki considers whether hate crime laws cause more harm than good in some situations.

-An 86-year-old World War II veteran speaks out in support of marriage equality.

-Focus on the Family donates $98,500 to Stand For Marriage Maine.

-The Church of Sweden’s governing board votes to allow gays to marry in its churches.

-Jonathan Rauch examines the broader implications of Stand For Marriage Maine’s concern over school curricula.

-The US Senate passes the Matthew Shepard hate crimes bill.

From the International Healing Foundation (Richard Cohen) website, we learn that a Liberty University student will soon begin an internship “under the direct supervision of Richard Cohen.” He is to start on-site and telephone counseling on January 12, 2010. The site encourages readers to make an appointment now to start their nine weeks of “expert coaching [which] leads you to your personal healing plan.”

Christopher [Doyle] came out of homosexuality, married his beautiful wife in 2006, and together they have a one-year old son. He knows firsthand what it’s like to experience conflicts over one’s SSA and the journey to wholeness and healing. Presently, he is completing his master’s degree in counseling from Liberty University.

There are no details on whether Doyle’s “journey to wholeness” was associated with Cohen or IHF. Doyle’s story stands out in that he claims the catalyst for his homosexual attractions was a period of early sexual experience with a girl four years his senior.

When he was 9, his 13 year-old female cousin came to live with the family and introduced this young, impressionable boy to sexual relations. This sexual abuse went on for the greater part of one year, until she moved away. Starving for affection during this time, Christopher began to act out sexually.

But what really stirred our interest was that Doyle is earning his master’s degree at Liberty University and performing his official internship in that program with Cohen — under his direct supervision. Cohen is unlicensed and was permanently expelled in 2002 from his professional organization, the American Counseling Association (ACA), after being found in violation of six sections of their ethics code. One need only do a brief web search to find any number of well written articles on the truly bizarre, wholly unprofessional practices of the man.

And yet, we have this intern, Doyle, apparently approved to do this master’s internship with Cohen. To get at the facts, we looked to the faculty list of Liberty University’s Center for Counseling and Family Studies. The Executive Director is listed as Dr. Tim Clinton. We emailed him to ask if Cohen’s IHF was an approved internship site for Liberty students. We have not heard back from him.

A quick search for details on Clinton leads to his own website which in turn shows us that he is also associated with the American Association of Christian Counselors. In fact, he is the president of the AACC. The AACC attempts to be the Christian alternative to the ACA. It is a private, for-profit company and Clinton runs it (and appears to have done so from it’s inception). It seems almost impossible that he would not know of Cohen’s reputation.

Cohen has not been siting idle the past couple of years. He may have been down after what seemed an endless series of very strange public displays of his nonsense, but he is not out. He managed to get Exodus to make nice with him. He got a book published by a respected Christian publisher (to the dismay of many) and he is adding to his flock of “certified as a sexual reorientation coaches” (CSRC) — a term made up to describe those who are “trained” by Cohen.

Now it appears he has managed to get himself approved to train interns from a major university, a move presumably approved by the president of a major Christian counseling group.

Update 10/28/2009: Dr. Clinton responded to our query a couple of days later after conducting an investigation into the matter — details in a separate post.

This post was written by David Roberts and Emily K.

While the situation in Uganda continues to spiral down, Exodus has issued a response of sorts by way of a post by Vice President Randy Thomas to the official Exodus blog. He refers to the constant pleas by those of us who have been working to avoid the inhumane pain and bloodshed that the coming laws will provide an already repressive society as “North American noise,” and to us as “American militant gay activists.”

What little we have seen come from Exodus on this matter has been weak and filled with attempts to cover their collective posteriors. These “militant gay activists” contacted Exodus behind the scenes in plenty of time for them to call, email, fax, etc, Don Schmierer and ask him to avoid participating. He was to appear with some truly despicable characters for what no one with the ability to form coherent sentences could possibly have mistaken for a positive event. To say otherwise is simply shameful.

That said, it is interesting how American militant gay activists demand that Exodus has no right or authority to speak into public policy here in the states (where we have 230+ Member Agencies facing potential threats to their religious liberties) but then demand that we speak into public policy in other countries like Uganda where we have 0 Member Agencies.

The comparison made here is between some imaginary loss of liberties for the Exodus Network in the United States and the arrest and execution of gay men and women, their supporters, friends, and family in Uganda.  Arrest and execution for doing nothing more than living their lives with some degree of integrity and freedom. This comparison is beyond self-centered, it is disgusting.

These same “American militant gay activists” privately informed Exodus of the situation in Uganda, and the danger of Schmierer speaking there, and did so in plenty of time for Alan Chambers to have contacted Schmierer himself and ask him to bow out. This would have been the position of integrity, showing some true interest in the well being of the people Exodus claims to care so much about. If this had happened, these same “American militant gay activists” could have and would have written a positive story about what Exodus had done when presented with the facts.

Scott Lively is a holocaust revisionist, conspiratorial nut and part of a hate group. Richard Cohen is a joke and has been discredited more ways than can be represented here. So, Exodus, what is your excuse?

Randy’s response to the conference was this self-righteous statement:

It isn’t going to be a gay activist yelling at the Ugandan government that will actually get our ssa brothers and sisters out of jail. It will be people like me pleading with these leaders to recognize the Christ-likeness inherent in respecting self-determination and the dignity of every soul that draws breath. If I had the opportunity I would go directly to the jail and visit these people and plead for their freedom.  It wouldn’t matter if that ssa person identified as gay or agreed with me … they should not be in jail and I would try everything I could to get them out and safe.

He has yet to book a flight, even after this recent turn of events. Randy became somewhat self-concious of his statement and “clarified” with the following:

I know that I like to play around with how groovy I am. I also like to twitter my thoughts on world domination but apparently I think I am also the only one who can create a cultural revolution in Uganda. (joke.)

Well, the “joke” isn’t funny. Not then and especially not now, where people’s lives are on the line. While Randy is spending his time at Exodus’ second-highest post blogging and twittering, Uganda’s sexual minorities will spend their time wondering if their deaths are imminent.

Just be specific for a change. You screwed up, royally, and it has caused damage. Admit it, ask forgiveness and then take some action to correct it. Aside from a dwindling choir, no one is impressed with what you are saying right now.