CNN's Irresponsible 'Ex-Gay' Interview Regarding Prop 8

CNN's Belief Blog interviewed Alan Chambers President of Exodus International, a nonprofit "ex-gay" ministry on the recent prop 8 ruling. Chambers is a self identified "ex-gay" who admits he still struggles with homosexual attractions.

In the article Chambers is quoted as saying that “It’s disappointing that a judge would rule against the will of the people” but he also maintains that the decision shows more openness to people who are LGBT "We’re entering a time when we are more compassionate and loving toward people who deserve our compassion,” he says, “and that’s gay and lesbian people.”

CNN is completely irresponsible for running this piece for a host of reasons.

1. Exodus International is a fringe anti-gay organization that has been repudiated by all major scientific and psychological organizations.

2. If Chambers and Exodus indeed represent people who claim they are no longer gay, why is CNN collecting their thoughts on same-sex marriage? They can get married to the opposite sex and the issue is not relevant to them.

3. CNN gave free advertising to this sham organization and did nothing to set the facts straight on the proposition 8 ruling or the truth behind the "ex-gay" movement.

Contact CNN via their general feedback form or Twitter to let them know that this biased reporting is unacceptable! Feel free to also leave comments on their blog posting.

San Diego to Protest "Ex-Gay" Workshop

On January 27th 2010, at Skyline Wesleyan Church near San Diego, California, Exodus International will hold a training session (they call it an “equipping”). The purpose of these equipping events is to teach pastors, ministers, educators and counselors how to deal with “unwanted homosexuality.”

The pastor of Skyline Church is no stranger to LGBT Californians, our families, friends and allies. Pastor Jim Garlow claimed responsibility for jump-starting Prop 8, the California ballot initiative that took away the existing right of LGBT couples to marry; was the driving force behind the pre-2008-Election, anti-gay rally, TheCall, at Qualcomm Stadium; traveled to DC to oppose The Matthew Shepard & James Byrd Jr Hate Crimes Prevention Act; was one of the original signatories of the blueprint for American theocracy called The Manhattan Declaration; and, most recently, tried (unsuccessfully) to worm out of testifying in the Perry v Schwarzenegger Prop 8 trial.

Car-pooling will be available from here:

Wednesday, January 27, 2010
8:00am
LGBT Center parking lot
3909 Centre Street
San Diego, CA

Protest Location:

Skyline Wesleyan Church
8:30 am
11330 Campo Road, La Mesa, CA 91941.

Crossposted via Mike Tidmus.

Open Forum: Gay Exorcisms

Bizarre attempts to de-gay people have been going on for years by fringe psychologists and religious people who subscribe to the so called 'ex-gay' movement. Attempts to alter sexual orientation have included but are not limited to electro-shock therapy, psychoanalysis, hormone therapy, aversion therapy, behavior modification, and hypnosis.

One of the more egregious claims by some religious groups is that homosexuality is the cause of some evil spirit holding the body. They operate under the misguided premise that homosexual demons can conquer bodies and that the devil can embody a person manifesting itself in homosexual behavior. They believe the only way to help this person is through an exorcism.

This has recently come to the spotlight and received nationwide media attention after a 16 year old was subjected to a gay exorcism at the Manifested Glory Ministries Church in Connecticut.

Below is a video of a new clip discussing the story:



Where does freedom of religion cross the line and become child abuse? The video above shows a minor being attacked physically and verbally while he is faint and vomiting. Are gay exorcisms freedom of religion or is this a new form of abuse that must be stopped swiftly?