Ex-Gay Watch

(Note: The relevant texts to this episode can be found here (adb/pdf)), and/or you can view the whole thing here.)

With that, we begin.

Dr. David Kyle Foster is the producer and co-host of a show called “Pure Passion.”:

David founded Mastering Life Ministries in 1987 and has been its director ever since. He is also the producer and host of “Pure Passion” – a televised outreach designed to equip the church to redemptively minister to those who are trapped in sexual sin and brokenness. … The goal of the program is to tell the world of God’s grace and love through Jesus Christ and His power to set anyone free from any sin or bondage.

Foster has a series of articles on homosexuality, rife with all the stale yet vicious antigay talking points:

Kyle Foster, 2008: The reality [of homosexuality] is a dramatically reduced life expectancy and the likelihood of contracting hepatitis, AIDS, or one of a host of diseases and infections, as a result of the unnatural perversity of homosexual activity.

Suicide among homosexuals is epidemic, not because society disapproves, as many would have you believe, but because these dear people feel trapped and condemned into a lifestyle and orientation that they know is out of whack.
–
And the faithfully monogamous gay couple myth – not even close. Such relationships are statistically nonexistent in the gay community.

On December 21st, 2009, the host of the show was Jayson Graves, a board member of Exodus International:

Welcome to Pure Passion. I’m Jayson Graves, and I’m your host for today’s program.

Today we have a man who has lived with the HIV virus for almost 30 years. His name is Jonathan Hunter, and since 1985 he’s been the director of a ministry to those with the AIDS virus, called “Embracing Life.”

After overdosing on drugs, he also had an after-death experience which utterly changed his life.

In my opinion, this episode exploited Jonathan Hunter’s near-death experience (NDE) in an attempt to convince their audience that there is now eye-witness testimony—proving once and for all—that Jesus Christ Himself is anti-gay.
Read more…

Re: “New Jersey State Senator and NAACP’s Bond Support Genderless Marriage While Rejecting Ex-Gay Rights” [12-9-09]

“…major scientific studies and mental health associations have stated homosexuality is not innate,” said Regina Griggs, director of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays (PFOX). “No scientific evidence has found a ‘gay gene.’ No DNA or medical test can determine if a person is homosexual. Sexual orientation is a matter of self-affirmation and public declaration…”

“Sexual orientation is a matter of self-affirmation and public declaration.”

Try it like this:

Human sexuality is a matter of self-affirmation and public declaration.
—
Apparently you’re not human until you say so in public.

Building on David Robert’s post on the Richard Cohen portion of The Rachel Maddow Show, Randy Thomas, Vice President of Exodus International, had some things to say about the exchange.

Randy Thomas: I am going to share a review of the actual interview and then move into how I believe she, and some other militant gay activists, are missing the point with regard to Uganda’s anti-homosexuality bill.

Transcript, edited for brevity, emphases mine:

MADDOW: But you have told them, particularly in your book, “Coming Out Straight,” which I understand you donated multiple copies of to this organization that‘s promoting this bill. You‘re telling them exactly what they need to hear in order to justify the kill-the-gays bill. I mean, your book portrays gay people as predators who must be stopped to protect the innocent.

COHEN: Oh, no, no, no.

MADDOW: Let me ask – I‘ll just read from your book, OK? Page 49, “Homosexuals are at least 12 times more likely to molest children than heterosexuals. Homosexual teachers are at least seven times more likely to molest a pupil. Homosexual teachers are estimated to have committed at least 25 percent of pupil molestation; 40 percent of molestation assaults were made by those who engage in homosexuality.”

This is the claim that you make in your book that exactly feeds these folks who want to execute people for being gay, what they need in order to justify that. Do you stand by what you said in your book?

COHEN: Actually, you know, that one particular quote, when I do republish it, reprint it, we will extract that from it, because we don‘t want such things to be used against homosexual persons.

MADDOW: That quote is cited – you cite somebody named Paul Cameron as the source of that book.

COHEN: I see that they‘re using it, but you took that one little quote out of a 300-page book.

“you took that one little quote out of a 300-page book”

That “one little quote” may be edited out of Cohen’s next revision, but it’s a paltry excision in light of the other “little” quotes in his book.
Read more…

The New York Times published an article detailing experiences of middle school-age children (roughly ages 11-14) who were open about their sexuality. Chris Stump of Exodus Youth responded with this article. In the Times article, we learn that while some might not experience their gradeschool years free of conflict concerning their sexuality, they are much more likely to be accepted or simply left alone about their orientation. These kids date, have boyfriends and girlfriends, and can talk openly about their crushes – no matter their gender – with their friends and peers. One 13-year-old who came out did so because when he realized he was attracted to other boys, he did not want to go through a period of miserable isolation. He chose instead to be sexually honest and open about his attractions. In response, several of his girl friends told him they were bisexual.

Stump, of course, has concerns:

Instead of celebrating the earlier embrace of a gay identity, we need to be cautious and concerned. Embracing an identity based on feelings as an 11-13 year old child, whose brain is still developing and hormones are raging, is jumping the gun.

But the point of the article isn’t that kids are solidifying their “identity” at an early age – it’s that they can be honest about their attractions at the onset of puberty, when their exclusively heterosexual peers are experiencing the same “raging hormones” and often confusing feelings. But rather than pretend they too are exclusively opposite-sex-attracted, they can talk about their same same-sex-attractions as if they too were normal. And for the most part, they have been able to find an ever-growing, accepting environment.

Stump also expressed annoyance at the author’s mention of “sexual fluidity.”

Another thing that stuck out to me was when the author mentioned fluidity in sexuality. So many in the secular world agree with the idea that sexuality is a fluid thing. But how is it so hard to embrace the idea of people moving from a homosexual identity to a post-homosexual identity? That’s just another “expression” of sexuality being fluid. But, yet, it is scorned and ridiculed for being absurd.

The difference between someone’s naturally experienced sexual fluidity and “embracing a post-homosexual identity” is that one happens with ease in some individuals as a natural part of the human experience, while the other is a “journey in Christ” that consists of years, even decades, of fruitless efforts to deny or change one’s sexual attractions. The ex-gay “struggle” with same sex attractions is often stated as simply a part of the “journey.” One must also remember that sexual fluidity is a two-way street. One’s sexual flexibility can bend in either direction – which means that one could “switch” from mostly same sex to mostly opposite sex attractions, and also back again. But most of those who seek out ex-gay treatment are same-sex attracted individuals who want to actively change their homosexuality by adhering to specific religious principals, and sometimes engage in harmful “reparative therapy.” Sexual fluidity may occur in some human beings, but it is also not something that can be taught or adopted. If your sexuality isn’t fluid, it simply isn’t fluid.

The Times article highlights a hopeful time in queer history where children going through puberty can be honest about their attractions to any of their peers, not just the ones they are “supposed” to be attracted to. And while the middle school years can still be chaotic and filled with prepubescent torture, at least the burden on gay youth to keep closeted seems to be lessening. It’s one more adolescent struggle that kids can go through together rather than miserably thinking they are the only ones. And in light of the Kevin Jennings stories circulating, including one on the Exodus blog that is highly critical, Exodus Youth should realize that providing a safe environment for teens to be able to talk about their same-sex attractions with their peers will help prevent situations like the one Jennings faced so many years ago from happening.

Exodus expressed dismay at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s decision to allow partnered gay clergy to serve in the church.

Orlando, FL.  Exodus International, the world’s largest interdenominational ministry helping those conflicted by same-sex attraction to live a life that reflects the Christian faith, is troubled by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s vote today to allow congregations to hire clergy involved in same-sex relationships. Exodus says this is a clear move away from biblical teaching on sexuality and a disconcerting approach to this issue.

An Exodus ministry leader named Nate Oyloe presented “his personal testimony of leaving homosexuality” to the ELCA conference in Minnesota.

“In my life, homosexuality didn’t just encompass my attractions, it defined my identity. As a Christian seeking to live by and be defined by the truth of Scripture first, I concluded that I could not pursue both. I am saddened that as a result of the ELCA’s decision, others will find it harder to obtain the biblical answers and compassionate support that helped me to experience life-giving freedom.”

Another way to look at the decision would be to rejoice that people who are attracted to other people of the same sex will no longer be pressured to “change” into an “ex-gay,” and will instead be accepted and loved for who they are.

Several professional ex-gays made their political leanings very public post-election day. Specifically, Randy Thomas and Alan Chambers, who head Exodus International, the “ex-gay” organization that has “exited politics.” On Nov. 4th’s historic election night, he was jumping for joy over anti-gay amendments, as evidenced by multiple posts on his live blog session. Jay Holloman, a celibate same-sex attracted young man who frequently comments and occasionally writes for XGW, also participated in the live blog session. He had a centrist and often very tolerant tone, but found himself at odds with Thomas. Below are some examples of the messages that were posted. To give you a preview of what’s to come, here is this quip:

9:09 Randy Thomas: Democrats need to stop picking up Senate seats.

On anti-equality amendments:

9:00 Randy Thomas: Amendment 2 at 62% with 39% percent of precincts reporting!!! We have to have 60% to win….
9:01 Randy Thomas: In FL… you have to have 60%
10:49 Randy Thomas: Amendment 2 just dipped under 60%
…
11:36 Ellie: So we now have one state with legal gay marriage, one state with explicitly illegal. Hopefully we can add two more.
11:37 Randy Thomas: YAY! I think AZ’s 102 got less attention because it was doing so well.
…
11:37 Randy Thomas: CNN says that Amendment two is still at 62% with 87% of the precincts reporting in.
11:38 Randy Thomas: I JUST GOT AN EMAIL FROM THE AMENDMENT 2 CAMPAIGN SAYING THAT IT PASSED!
11:39 Randy Thomas: That’s a big wow. I will be honest… this is the second time I have gotten emotional tonight.
11:40 Randy Thomas:

How Christian of him to rejoice at the rejection of an entire community’s civil equality. Read more…

Recently I wrote a post announcing the launch of HOD, the Israeli website for gay religious Jews. This website was started especially to counter Atzat-Nefesh, the website operated by straight people who say gays can change their sexual orientation. One of the primary goals of HOD is to put a human face on LGBTQ persons. They do so by meeting with their opposition, including staunchly conservative rabbis. Recently they sent out a letter to Jewish clergy, and Rabbi Ratzon Arussi responded by calling for the rehabilitation of “the sin of our time:”

“I have read your letter with much consideration because it is touching and insightful,” Arussi wrote in his response to Rabbi R., who wrote the letter on behalf of homosexuals. “The religious community requires the correct tools in order to deal with homosexuality, and especially one exhibited openly. Those who can live normally with a female should not develop these unnatural instincts in themselves,”

Rabbi Arussi composes this statement under the false impression that same-sex attractions are a casual choice that are caused by “unnatural development.” He continues by attempting to flaunt Judaism’s “superior” situation for gays when compared to Christianity:

Our holy Torah is a way of life and, in contrast to the Christian faith, does not sentence us to celibacy, but rather, encourages and even commands us to be sexual. However this is meant to make us holy, to purify our souls before the passionate intoxication of sexual lust, and therefore sexuality has been placed within the context of procreation, which builds the world,”

…except that, for a homosexual, developing a sexual relationship with a person of the opposite sex can be (at best) uncomfortable and (at worst) a miserable experience. I believe that the Torah was given to Jews to find complete joy and know G-d, not misery. And since we Jews realize how important sexual experiences can be to one’s overall life experience and their experience of G-d, we should realize that not every kind of sexual experience can bring one closer to the Divine. Secondly, Christianity does not “sentence one to celibacy,” but in fact highly encourages marriage, child-bearing, and fidelity to one’s partner.

“We need to know how to deal with homosexuality, which is the sin of our time, and woe to us for having come to this. We need to know how to deal with those sons of Israel born as homosexuals, in order to ease their pain, and to show them that there are other ways to find true happiness.” [emphasis mine]

It seems the rabbi changes his perspective here, declaring that gays are born the way they are, rather than develop unnatural tendencies despite their ability to “live normally with a female.” And if the rabbi wishes to ease the pain of the gay sons of Israel, it would do him some good to learn about the true cause of the suffering of homosexuals – bigotry and misunderstanding.

Rabbi Arussi does not make any mention of female homosexuals, but instead focuses on the males, something that is very typical among those who oppose gay equality. While Jewish law does not expressly forbid female homosexual relations, lesbians are no more accepted in Orthodox society than gay men. Yet not even lip service is paid to the homosexual daughters of Israel.

Strides have been made in the positive, however – Tel Aviv, arguably the most progressive city in Israel, has decided to establish a monument honoring homosexual victims of the Holocaust.

The monument is to be the first in Israel to commemorate these victims, though four of its kind exist worldwide, in Sydney, Copenhagen, Berlin, and Amsterdam. It has been designed as an iron triangle, on which the victims’ names are to be inscribed.

Homosexual men and women were persecuted by the Nazi Party because they were believed to be “deviants.” Men were forced to wear a pink triangle, while women wore black patches (reserved for those whose behavior was deemed “asocial”). Most of the thousands of people arrested with the charge of homosexuality were men. However, while lesbian activity was not explicitly persecuted, homosexual women were considered no less deviant in the eyes of the Nazis and suffered their fate in the concentration camps. It’s my wish that even the rabbis who consider homosexuality to be a deviant behavior visit the monument in Tel Aviv to honor those souls.

At XGW we generally don’t give much space to fringe figures, but Stacy Harp is someone who might just end up as another Matt Barber one day, so we think it’s important to share this glimpse into her “heart and mind” for the record.

Harp and Joe Brummer have apparently had blog and email exchanges over the past couple of years and so they have a lot of history. This recording of a phone call from Harp to Brummer (recorded by the former and apparently authorized for open release) has Harp baiting Brummer into a conversation. In the process, Harp, who has claimed to be a Christian for as long as we have known about her, puts on a rather disturbing display.

Kudos to Joe for keeping his lunch down during this one.

Audio (via Kevin Kaatz): this is NOT work safe.

Alternate Link (easier to play)

Hat Tip: BTB

A press conference will be held on April 10th in San Jose, California to counter Focus on the Family’s Love Won Out ex-gay conference. It will take place in The Billy DeFrank GLBT Community Center. Wayne Besen, Executive Director of Truth Wins Out, will be speaking. Says Besen:

“It’s tragic that most of the people attending Love Won Out are parents who are looking for answers in the wrong place. We are speaking out to stop these parents from being exploited and we hope to dispel myths and misconceptions so they can learn to love and accept their gay children.

Others in attendance will be Bill Roth of Catholic Democrats of California and
Aejaie Sellers, DeFrank Center’s CEO/Executive Director. On Saturday, a prayer vigil will be held in front of the church hosting Love Won Out, Abundant Life Christian Fellowship, and a panel discussion on the ex-gay movement will be held at the DeFrank center.

Hat Tip: Truth Wins Out

LGBTJews.org relayed the news that HOD, a Hebrew acronym for “Gay Religious Jews,” is a new website created to counter misinformation about LGBT issues involving religious Jews. Geared toward religiously conservative Jews who live in Israel, HOD has an extensive Hebrew site and a brand new, fairly sparse English site that they hope will reach out to Jews all over the world. They specifically exist to counter Atzat-Nefesh, a site which they say has been key in promoting untruths about gay Jews – specifically, that their orientation can be changed:

Up to now the only website catering to the religious gay community was atzat-nefesh (www.atzat-nefesh.org), which was basically run by straight people that publicly stated that a religious person cannot be gay. They tried to ‘turn’ gay religious people straight, which is something that we know cannot be done. We try to help people reconcile their religious beliefs and their sexual orientation.

It’s important to counter this myth, because the more Jews see the evidence that homosexuality is not a choice, the more likely they will be supportive of the LGBTQ community:

Elliot Dorff, the rector of Los Angeles’s American Jewish University and a co-author of the rabbinic opinion that opened the doors for gay and lesbian clergy and same-sex unions in Conservative Judaism, said the scientific evidence that the opinion presented, showing that sexual orientation is not a choice, has been a key factor in swaying rabbis. Before the hard-fought opinion passed, Dorff said, it would have been far more difficult to convince Conservative rabbis to rally behind the cause of same-sex marriage.

However, far from being “out,” the creators of HOD do not reveal their names. There is still a strong current of homophobia that runs through Israel’s religious community. But the creators of the site are nonetheless determined to make their presence known, and have even engaged in face-to-face dialogs with staunchly conservative rabbis to put a human face on the struggle of LGBTQ persons in Israel.