Midwesterners to Protest Exodus "Ex-gay" Ideology in Illinois

The Gay Liberation Network is organizing a protest against the opening of Exodus International’s annual “Freedom Conference” which promotes "ex-gay" therapy and it invites you to join them in protest:

Tuesday, July 14
6:30 PM
Wheaton College
500 College Avenue
Wheaton, Illinois

GLN is organizing transportation from Chicago to the protest, and may be able to offer it from some suburban locations. If you need transportation or are willing to offer it, please email LGBTliberation@aol.com.

Crossposted via Truth Wins Out.

University Study Needs Ex-Gay Survivors To Share Their Experiences

A researcher at University of Montana is conducting a study designed to learn more about the experiences of people who (1) have gone through therapy or an intervention that was meant to change their sexual orientation, and (2) currently identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual.

If you participate in this study, you will be asked to provide information such as your sexual orientation, age, income, past experiences in therapy meant to change your sexual orientation, psychological symptoms, and religiosity.In order to participate, you must be at least 18 years of age. You will be given $15 for your participation, although the information that you provide will be invaluable for educating others about the experiences of ex-ex-gay individuals.

If you would like to participate or know someone who may be interested in participating, please contact the researcher:

Annesa Santa, M. A.
The University of Montana

(406) 261-0298

annesasanta@gmail.com

Crossposted via Wayne Besen.

"Ex-Gay" and the Law - A Survivors Guide to Taking Action

Truth Wins Out and Lambda Legal have created a booklet to educate survivors of the so called "ex-gay" movement who believed they were harmed by their radical and fringe tactics.

If you are a victim of the "ex-gay" movements psycholocially damaging practices, and have been sold under the false guise that your orientation or identity would change there may be legal options for you by reading the newly produced guide.

Ex-Gay and the Law.

You can also call Lambda Legal toll free at 866-542-8336.

Open Forum: "I Hate Being Gay" Program on Tyra Banks Show

The Tyra Banks Show has hosted a program called "I Hate Being Gay" and the program is split over 5 clips that can be seen below, please double click the videos to see it in full screen.

The program has received a mixed reaction from the gay community, some feeling that the show is a trophy for the right wing which seeks to demonstrate how psychologically damaging the "gay lifestyle" is, and to reintroduce terms like "sexual orientation disturbance". Others feel that the program highlights serious issues many gay people face at some point in their lives and that it is a healthy discussion to have.



The program begins by featuring one young man who finds being gay disgusting, he hopes to become "straight" by the age of 30 in hopes of having a family. He feels he can be emotionally attracted to women, but not as sexual as he would like to be.

The next clip shows a guy who feels very intimidated by gay men. Tyra sends him out to meet with some gay men and helps increase his confidence and he reported feeling better about his identity.

Following that a man is introduced who identifies as gay but has fallen in love with a woman and decided to marry her. The couple occasionally brings an additional man into the bedroom, and they are unsure as to whether their relationship will prevail.

Finally, the last man is conflicted about being gay because he also desires a family. On the request of his father, he attends an "ex-gay" seminar only to find out that it takes years and thousands of dollars and would only help to possibly supress his desires as opposed to change his orientation. He seems conflicted as to which path in life he will ultimately take.

Tyra Banks has traditionally been very gay supportive, and always says "the gays love Tyra and Tyra loves the gays." But, recently she had a program on "ex-gays" and now this program also toys with the idea of "orientation conversion." Tyra Banks continually throughout the show makes positive statements about how orientation cannot be changed and that these men should accept themselves.

Some in the gay community are outraged that Tyra is showing a few "dysfunctional" people and that this reflects poorly on many in the community who never questioned their identity. Should we shun the voices of those who are struggling and pretend everything is just fine, or is it ok to discuss openly how some people are struggling and how some experience sexual fluidity in the hopes of making the public more aware how ingrained in our lives sexuality is and how complicated human sexuality really is, regardless of orientation?

North Carolina Protest of "Ex-Gay" Love Won Out Conference

CRANE presents the following events to raise public awareness and challenge the myths and lies of anti-gay organizations like Focus on the Family and the “ex-gay” Exodus International. The “ex-gay” conference Love Won Out will be held in Charlotte on Feb. 21, the same day as the HRC Carolinas Gala.

Pray Away the Gay Feb. 19, 2009, 7 p.m.
Lesbian & Gay Community Center of Charlotte
820 Hamilton St., Suite B-11, Charlotte, NC 28206

Non-violent protest of Love Won Out conference Feb. 21, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Central Church of God
5301 Sardis Rd., Charlotte, NC 28211

Organization Spotlight: Truth Wins Out

Truth Wins Out is a non-profit organization that counters right wing propaganda, exposes the “ex-gay” myth and educates America about gay life.