July21, 2013

Following is an excerpt from Floyd Godfrey’s testimony on the People Can Change website: “I learned [at an Evergreen conference in Salt Lake City] that I hadn’t been able to pray away my homosexual attractions because they were not, at their roots, a spiritual problem. The unwanted attractions were symptoms of emotional problems that I needed to resolve, not be relieved of. I hadn’t been able to force opposite-sex attractions because my more basic, core need for male identity and masculine affirmation had not yet been met adequately. Until I felt fully masculine, I would never feel “man enough” for a woman.”

July 20, 2013

In an essay entitled “The Arguments Against Change” Rabbi Daniel Meir Horowitz analyzed four arguments against sexual orientation change: 1. Homosexuality is genetic; 2. Sexual orientation change won’t work; 3. Sexual orientation change is discriminatory; and 4; Sexual orientation change is expensive. Following is his conclusion: “In conclusion, it appears that there is no logical reason for recrimination against those who choose to change. No peer-reviewed study (or any study, for that matter) has proven reparative therapy to be totally ineffective. So long as someone goes into it with a clear motivation, an understanding of the probable outcomes and a commitment to do what is necessary, who are we to impugn them? There are no universal truths for what works best for every person. Let us allow those who choose to be gay to live in peace, and let us allow those who choose to attempt change to live in peace as well. And most importantly, let us allow all those who are undecided to know of BOTH options, so that they can make informed choices for themselves.”

July 18, 2013

Analysis by Ex-Gay Truth editor Thomas Coy: The USA Today column by Tom Krattenmaker gave the impression that Exodus International controlled the ministries under its umbrella and that most of these ministries will close when Exodus International closes its doors, much to Krattenmaker’s approval. Krattenmaker wrote “Other less-known reparative-therapy ministries will carry on the work that Exodus abandoned.”

The truth is that there are no reports of any of the 260± independent ministries under the former Exodus umbrella closing. Many of these ministries have joined together under a new umbrella organization called Restored Hope Network. In fact, Restored Hope Network was formed two years ago in response to the direction Alan Chambers was taking Exodus International. (more…)

July 18, 2013

The following excerpts are from the article “Same-Sex Desire: Hardwired With No Hope for Change?” by Sue Ellen Browder on the National Catholic Register website: … “In an interview with the Register, [Nicholas] Cummings expressed dismay that the American Psychological Association would allow its task force’s statements to be misused by the SPLC and others as ‘proof’ the therapy should be outlawed. ‘The APA hasn’t flatly come out and said that reparative therapy should be illegal,’ Cummings said. ‘But it is certainly supporting of all those who say that.’”

“Cummings said that since he was APA president in 1979-80, the organization has been ‘totally hijacked’ by the homosexual/lesbian political lobby. (more…)

July 17, 2013

The following are excerpt is from the statement “NARTH Stands Ready to File Lawsuit Against New Jersey ‘Change Therapy’ Bill” on the NARTH website: “Both houses of the New Jersey legislature have passed A3371/S2278 – a bill to ban the right of parents to take their children to therapists who might assist the adolescent or child with their unwanted homosexual attractions. This legislation is similar to the California efforts to ban adolescent therapy that is currently before the Ninth Circuit Court on appeal because of the proactive efforts of NARTH and several NARTH clinicians who are being represented in this action by Liberty Counsel. … Once again, NARTH stands ready to work with Liberty Counsel to file a lawsuit to stop the implementation of this legislation if the Governor were to sign the bill into law.”

July 10, 2013

The following PFOX News Release “Harming Already Molested Children” is reprinted in its entirety: For every concerned American: Legislation A3371/S2278, the bill to ban heterosexual counseling efforts to change minors’ sexual orientation, has passed both houses of the New Jersey legislature. This New Jersey bill would deny non-homosexual help to children who have suffered sexual abuse. If parents take their children to unlicensed counselors in New Jersey or licensed counselors out of state, they could, under this bill, be reported to the authorities for “endangering the welfare of a child.” (more…)

July 1, 2013

The following excerpts are from the July 1, 2013 Help 4 Families newsletter: “In recent weeks Help 4 Families has been receiving calls and emails to ask about our current status with Exodus International. It is important for us to address this again for the sake of others who may be asking the same question. In March of 2012 Help 4 Families resigned from the Exodus International as we had become aware of the slippery slope Exodus was sliding down. The Help 4 Families board of directors voted unanimously to resign immediately.”

“The path that Exodus has taken in the last couple years has saddened our hearts. Alan Chambers has chosen on his own authority to send a message that change is not possible for those who struggle with homosexuality and gender issues. (more…)

June 30, 2013

The following excerpt is from the testimony “My Roller Coaster Ride to Freedom from Unwanted SSA” published on the JONAH website: … “Thank G-d my mom persisted and finally I attended a JONAH meeting where I heard three men who were willing to share their experiences about their journey out of unwanted SSA. I was able to identify with these men and their backgrounds. Our stories were somewhat similar in a weird way. Although I still wasn’t convinced that this work was for me, something clicked inside me and I agreed to give it a try. Little did I realize then that I was agreeing to get on the most volatile roller coaster of my life; mind you I should also say the most rewarding one as well.” (more…)

June 28, 2013

The following is the entire press release from the Liberty Counsel: Trenton, NJ—Liberty Counsel sent a letter today to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie urging him to veto A3371, a bill that prohibits all sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE). New Jersey counselors and parents of minors receiving change therapy counseling and national counseling organizations have contacted Liberty Counsel. If the bill goes into effect, Liberty Counsel will immediately file suit. (more…)

June 21, 2013

Following is the press release “Largest Christian Ministry Helping Individuals Leave Homosexuality Shuts Down – Despite the Closing of Exodus, International Healing Foundation Remain Steadfast” distributed by the International Healing Foundation: Bowie, MD – On June 19, 2013 Alan Chambers, President of Exodus International, the largest Christian ministry assisting individuals who wish to leave the homosexual life, announced that it is closing its doors and apologized to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community for years of messages that people with same-sex attraction could change through prayer, counseling, and spiritual devotion.

It is saddening that Exodus, under its current leadership, has made statements over the efficacy of Sexual Orientation Change Effort (SOCE) when many of its same-sex attracted (SSA) leaders have failed to undergo such treatment themselves. Such leaders are also unqualified to make these statements due to their lack of training and education in the psychological field. (more…)