Will Colorado Pass a Conversion Therapy Ban?

A bill banning conversion therapy for minors is currently under consideration in Colorado. If passed, House Bill 16-1210 will prohibit "a licensed physician specializing in psychiatry or a licensed or registered mental health care provider from engaging in conversion therapy with a patient under 18 years of age".

The bill comes at a time when so-called "ex-gay" proponents are reeling from humiliating defeats. Currently, four states and the District of Columbia have passed laws banning conversion therapy for minors, according to the Movement Advancement Project. Last year, a New Jersey jury concluded that Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healins (JONAH) made fraudulent claims when it told clients it could change their sexual orientation, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. (Unfortunately, JONAH is still operating overseas.) Recently, LGBTQ groups have filed a federal consumer fraud claim against so-called "ex-gay" organization People Can Change, according to the Guardian and Wisconsin Gazette.

On March 8th, opponents of conversion therapy spoke before the Colorado House Health Committee, urging them to support House Bill 16-1210. Speakers included Dave Montez, executive director of One Colorado, and Esteban Lee O'Neal, a survivor of Evergreen (a Mormon ex-gay program). According to  Fox 31 and KWGN 2, the measure passed by a vote of 7-6 and will move on to the Colorado legislature. Here's hoping that the legislature will vote the bill into law.

News Tidbits

Edge Media Network: 'Gay Conversion' Therapists Find Safe Haven in Israel 

Buzzfeed: New York Governor Announces Steps To Ban LGBT Conversion Therapy

Huffington Post: New York Bans Insurance Coverage Of LGBT 'Conversion Therapy' 

DNA Info: Homophobic Pastor's Harlem Church Up for Public Auction Over Unpaid Debts

CNN: At Ted Cruz event, Phil Robertson calls gay marriage 'evil' 

Georgia Voice: 'Pastor Protection Act’ passes in Georgia House

Pink News: God told me to only marry straight couples, Texas judge claims

Seattle Times: Former Mars Hill pastor to start new church in Phoenix

The Guardian: Northern Ireland 'gay cake' couple: 'We don't hate anyone. It's done out of love for God'

The Advocate: Italy: Gays Compared to Nazis at Massive Homophobic Rome Rally

Commentary Tidbits

Daily Xtra: Dallas gaybashings leave Toronto gay man shaken (Trigger warning)

Mother Jones: Ted Cruz's Dad Says It's "Appalling" to Have a Gay Mayor

Huffington Post: 6 Things You Should Know About Alabama's Chief Justice Roy Moore

Christian Science Monitor: Roy Moore: the Alabama judge who 'relishes' gay marriage fight 

Think Progress: What It’s Like To Escape Ex-Gay Therapy — And Then Defeat It

Right Wing Watch: Meet Marco Rubio's 'Religious Liberty Advisory Board'

Commentary Tidbits

Right Wing Watch: The Year In Homophobia: The Right-Wing's Anti-Gay Meltdown In 2015

Samantha Field: Two Ways Modern Republicans are Anti-Christian

Politics Plus: Everyday Erinyes

Dispatches from the Culture Wars: I Went to a Donald Trump Rally and All I Got Was a Sinking Feeling

Gay Star News: Too many homes would rather have no child than a queer child this Christmas

Mic: Hillary Clinton Calls for End to Gay Conversion Therapy for Minors

Slate: Consumer Fraud Lawsuit Forces Ex-Gay Conversion Therapy Group to Pay Victims and Disband

Media Matters: Fox News' 10 Most Cringe-Worthy Sexist Moments Of 2015

The Atlantic: Can the Religious Right Give Ted Cruz the Win?

News Tidbits

Reuters: Lawsuit by ex-Atlanta fire chief critical of homosexuality to proceed

Pew Research Center: Most U.S. Christian groups grow more accepting of homosexuality

WLWT 5: Group asking for repeal of Cincinnati's LGBT conversion therapy ban

Associated Press: Judge Orders New Jersey 'Gay Conversion' Nonprofit to Close

Newsweek: JONAH, the Largest Jewish Gay Conversion Therapy Organization, Takes its Last Breath

Washington Blade: Lawmakers in Va., Md., introduce religious freedom bills

The Advocate: Pope Francis Urges Repeal of Marriage Equality in Slovenia

Restored Hope Network Holds 2015 Conference in Lancaster, PA

"You think you are born gay, well okay, be born again" pastor says to Daniel Delgado. pic.twitter.com/HjPWh0iuCv

— RestoredHopeNetwork (@RestoredHopeNet) June 27, 2015

I planned to observe the Restored Hope Network conference for Republic of Gilead, until the weather report called for torrential rain and possible flooding. Rather than drive to Lancaster in potentially unsafe conditions, I stayed home. I wish I could have infiltrated!  -- Ahab

Restored Hope Network, a coalition of so-called "ex-gay" groups, held its annual conference at Door Christian Fellowship in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on June 26th and 27th. Restored Hope Network promotes conversion therapy, which can purportedly change a person's sexual orientation or sexual identity to a cisgender, heterosexual identity. The organization has risen to prominence in the ex-gay movement in the years following Exodus International's closure.

The history of Anne Paulk, executive director of Restored Hope Network, is an ironic one. In 2013, her husband John Paulk, former chairman of the ex-gay organization Exodus International, publicly admitted that he was not "ex-gay" and apologized for the harm caused by conversion therapy. Anne Paulk released a statement admitting that she and John were divorcing, adding that her heart was "grieved by John’s words and moral choices".

The conference comes at a time when the ex-gay movement has lost credibility in public consciousness. The closure of Exodus International, White House condemnation of conversion therapy, the apologies of several former "ex-gay" activists, and public rejection of the ex-gay movement by former adherents have dealt the movement repeated black eyes. Ontario, Oregon, California, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia have passed laws banning conversion therapy for minors. Friday's New Jersey court ruling that JONAH's conversion therapy claims violated the state's Consumer Fraud Act also sullied the movement's reputation.

Medical professions and researchers doubt the efficacy of conversion therapy and warn that it can produce negative outcomes. A 2009 report by the American Psychological Association concluded that efforts to change people's sexual orientation are not only unlikely to be successful, but involve risks of harm as well. The Pan American Health Organization, the American Medical Association, and other health groups have criticized conversion therapy, while research has shown that sexual orientation change efforts are highly dubious. Defenders of conversion therapy such as NARTH have been accused of promoting dangerous junk science, misrepresenting other professionals' research, and fueling homophobia.

Given conversion therapy's reputation, an ex-gay conference was bound to create controversy.

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Speaking on behalf of Restored Hope Network, Garry Ingraham told Pennlive that the organization simply wants to help people who have unwanted sexual feelings. "We are simply making ourselves available for people who have unwanted same-sex attractions, issues with gender dysphoria and want support in living a life that is congruent with their personal values and faith," he said.

LGBTQ rights advocates have condemned the conference, arguing that conversion therapy is inherently homophobic. Louie Marven, executive director of the LGBT Center of Central Pennsylvania, argued that conversion therapy harms LGBTQ people. "This conference will not bring hope to anyone. The message that LGBTQ people should change our sexual orientation or gender identity is inherently not hopeful. This is a message that hurts LGBTQ people and our families," Marven wrote in a Lancaster Online editorial.

Pennsylvania political leaders also criticized conversion therapy as the conference approached. Kait Gillis, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services press secretary, told Lancaster Online that Govenor Tom Wolf's administration does not endorse conversion therapy and will work toward a ban of the practice in Pennsylvania.

Executive director Anne Paulk was unhappy with the way that some media outlets have portrayed conversion therapy. In a June 26th Facebook message, she expressed her outrage that the "secular media" and the "gay activist community" have described the ex-gay movement in negative terms.

"... Several articles that have quoted us accurately, despite the surrounding gay arguments against the validity of our point of view that use "expert opinion" to discount and minimize the reasons that people seek to change their lives, behavior and identity. Pastor Garry Ingraham did a great job representing our network. I find it interesting that others will take issue that he was accurately quoted, and then quote Alan Chambers who disbanded Exodus tragically and apologized for hurt feelings of those who remain involved in homosexual relationships and feel that change is unnecessary or impossible for them. But there remain those of us who both have left gay relationships, behaviors, identities and also have had various degrees of resolution of related feelings. Christianity would label errant or unwanted feelings to be temptations, not sin. Sin is taking action upon what God condemns in scripture.

Much of the secular media strongly present those who oppose the idea of transformation--even when it is both desired and experienced. The gay activist community has trained them to discount the freedom of choice for a person to pursue a course of care that they both want and thrive in because it cannot be allowed to stand in their minds ...

How dare we change and thrive?? This can simply not be allowed by some and they are so offended that they choose to malign and lie about methodology--claiming irrelevant aversion therapy that has nothing to do with our ministries. They imply the motive is to control others, when the truth is that we are simply walking alongside and sharing the hope we ourselves have received. "

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The Restored Hope Network conference itinerary suggested that LGBTQ status was an undesirable state, rather than a natural expression of sexuality and gender identity. Several workshops championed Christianity as an alleged key to sexual morality, framing LGBTQ status as something to be overcome through faith rather than embraced. "Who I Am", led by Denise Shick, discussed the supposed "identity crises" encountered by people who are "confused about their God-given gender", an apparent jab at transgender and gender-nonconforming persons. "Open to Life: How Jesus Transforms Persons with Same Sex Attraction" offered tools and strategies that Christians can use to "unlock hearts bound up by same-sex attraction".

The policing of sexuality was also a recurring topic at the conference. A workshop entitled "Gay Christian?" claimed that gay believers who choose to live celibate lives are engaging in "a major compromise" and making room for "embracing a disordered identity". On a different note, "Chastity as Life and Freedom in the Holy Spirit", led by Christopher West, framed chastity as a form of freedom. The implication, it seems, is that same-sex intimacy is incompatible with Christian chastity.

"Chastity is not merely a "no" to illicit sexual behavior. Chastity, more than anything, is a "yes" to the freedom for which Christ has set us free -- the freedom to love as he loves!"

Several workshops encouraged anti-LGBTQ interpretations of scripture. "Homotextuality: How Pro-Gay Advocates Misuse the Bible" condemns the "fallacy" that one can be both gay and Christian, arguing against "revisionist" interpretations of scripture. "Does the Bible No Longer Oppose Homosexual Practice?" deconstructs theological writings that support "homosexual unions". Pastor Phil Courson's workshop, "Did God Really Say..." Affirming the Inerrancy of Scripture" endorsed an inerrant interpretation of the Bible.

Predictably, the Restored Hope Network conference encouraged attendees to spread ex-gay thinking throughout their faith communities. A workshop entitled "Creating a Church Culture of Transformation" urged churches to become "a safe place of transformation for persons with ssa [same-sex attraction]". A class entitled "How to Start a Ministry" taught listeners how to create ministries devoted to ex-gay teachings. In an era when ex-gay organizations are shutting down and losing credibility, it's understandable why Restored Hope Network would want its supporters to expand the movement.

In short, workshops caricatured LGBTQ status as a state of confusion and disorder that is incompatible with the Bible. In the eyes of presenters, anything other than a heterosexual, cisgender identity is wrong and must be resisted. Despite all of Restored Hope Network's talk of "transformation" and "thriving", the ex-gay movement is fundamentally about repression of natural feelings. Where is the spiritual nourishment in this?

Conversion therapy, at its core, is about pressuring LGBTQ people to feel ashamed of their inclinations and to conform. Pitting people's sexuality against their spirituality can only bring sorrow, not spiritual growth.



To read additional news, visit the following links.

Pennlive: Church group seeks to 'repair' gays and lesbians

Pennlive: Church group leader, who says he changed from gay to straight, believes court ruling will lead to destruction of the family

News Tidbits

Associated Press: Jury finds promise of 'gay conversion' therapy was a fraud

Reuters: Gays can't use U.S. Catholic family meet to attack Church, bishop says

Washington Blade: Catholic bishops reaffirm opposition to same-sex marriage

Religion News Service: Rome summit looks to improve church’s handling of child sexual abuse

Edge Media Network: California Judge Agrees to Dismiss Kill-Gays Ballot Measure

Minneapolis Star Tribune: Noah's ark takes shape in Kentucky pasture; project remains afloat after hitting rough water

Salt Lake Tribune: Human Rights Campaign to sponsor counter-conference in Utah to celebrate ‘Inclusive Families’

Raw Story: Mike Huckabee calls for less dialog on race and more ‘conversions’ for Jesus: God already ‘solved’ racism

The Guardian: Bobby Jindal: Republican who brought creationism into schools to join election

Commentary Tidbits

Ex-Communications: Those Who Carry the Scars Must Remember

The Guardian: We atheists can use growing clout to beat evangelicals at their own political game

The Advocate: Who Are the 44,500 Who Say They'll Go to Jail to Fight Marriage Equality?

Think Progress: Strange Practices Of Ex-Gay Therapy Revealed In Trial Testimony

The Daily Beast: The ‘Natural Family’: The Latest Weapon in the Christian Right’s New Global War on Gays

News Tidbits

Religion News Service: Supreme Court’s pending same-sex ruling to dominate Southern Baptist meeting

Des Moines Register: Santorum calls crowd of 4 in rural Iowa a success

Al Jazeera America: Vatican to share tax information with U.S.

Buzzfeed: Co-Author Of Mike Huckabee Books Was Accused Of Child Molestation In Two Legal Cases

In Touch Weekly:  New Investigation Launched Against Duggar Family; 911 Called

Huffington Post: Lawyer In 'Gay Cure' Trial Says Satan Is Behind Gay Rights Movement 

CBC News: Some church leaders fail to deal with domestic violence, says prof

The Gainesville Sun: Levy School Board asked to look into violations of separation of church, state

QNotes: TEDxCharlotte defends ‘apolitical’ choice of speakers with extremist anti-gay ties

PIX 11: Neighbors confront controversial Harlem pastor over ‘hateful’ church sign

News Tidbits

CNN: Catholic archdiocese in Minnesota charged in priest sex abuse

ABC News (Australia): Controversial pastor Mark Driscoll who likened women to 'penis homes' no longer attending Hillsong Australian conference

New Jersey Online: Gay man testifies that conversion therapist blamed his mom for his sexuality

Associated Press: Head of group sued over 'gay conversion' therapy testifies

New York Times: Some Evangelicals Take New Look at Bible’s Stance on Gays

Religion News Service: Duggars open up to Fox-TV’s Megyn Kelly on family sex scandal

The Advocate: Arkansas Lawmaker's Tirade: Reschedule Pride Because It's 'Offensive to Christians'

Gay Star News: Russian Church breaks ties with Protestants of Scotland and France over same-sex marriage

Commentary Tidbits

The Advocate: How The Nonreligious 'Nones' Are Driving LGBT Equality in the U.S.

Think Progress: Focus On The Family: How (Not) To Talk To Your Kids About Transgender Issues

Faithfully LGBT: Franklin Graham calls on Christians to blacklist LGBT-friendly companies

Warren Throckmorton: David Barton’s Unreal Appearance on Family Research Council’s Washington Watch

Mic: This Ex-Gay Survivor Had an Amazing Courtroom Message for LGBT Teens

Christian Today: Why the Duggars serve as a warning against fundamentalist Christianity

No Longer Quivering: Who Are The Duggars Really Protecting?

Elizabeth Esther: Why Jill & Jessa Duggar were not "speaking for themselves" in their interview with Megyn Kelly

Buzzfeed: How Evangelical Churches Protect Abusers Like Josh Duggar

Congresswoman Speier and SPLC Challenge Conversion Therapy

Enormous controversy surrounds so-called conversion therapy, a dubious therapeutic treatment that purports to turn gay people straight. Fortunately, conversion therapy has come under increased condemnation by professional organizations and LGBTQ advocates in recent years. Two recent developments have dealt another blow to this destructive form of counseling.

First, on November 27th, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) announced that it had filed a lawsuit against Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing (JONAH), JONAH founder Arthur Goldberg, and counselor Alan Downing. The complaint charges that JONAH, Goldberg, and Downing violated the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act by purporting that they could change clients' sexual orientation from gay to straight. The SPLC's complaint accuses JONAH et al. of citing the highly problematic work of Joseph Nicolosi and Richard A. Cohen, two major proponents of conversion therapy. Nicolosi is infamous for co-founding the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH).

According to the complaint, the four men among the plaintiffs were subjected to grossly inappropriate "therapy" practices, such as being told to remove all clothing, intimately hold other men (including counselors), and beat an effigy of their mother with a tennis racket. These strange practices are contraindicated by modern therapeutic practice, the complaint argues.

The toxic messages of such conversion therapy, the complaint observes, are that "being gay is loathsome and that gay people are more likely to be pedophiles, drug abusers, and alcoholics. In order to promote their services, [JONAH et al.] also falsely claimed that gay people are all generally lonely, suicidal, and have or will contract HIV/AIDS." The complaint points out parallels between these homophobic messages and the discredited ideas of psychiatrist Paul Cameron, whom it calls "the architect of modern anti-gay pseudoscience."

Second, on November 28th, Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-California) introduced the Stop Harming Our Kids (SHOK) resolution at a press conference. Co-sponsored by Congressman Ted Deutch (D-Florida) and Congressman David Cicilline (D-Rhode Island), the resolution seeks to protect minors from abusive conversion therapy practices.  According to Congresswoman Speier's website, Speier is also investigating whether federal money has been used to fund conversion therapy.

Congresswoman Speier delivered the resolution alongside representatives from the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Human Rights Campaign, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights. The resolution emphasized that LGBTQ status is not an illness, decrying efforts by mental health practitioners to change gender identity or sexual orientation as "dangerous and harmful". The statement declared that conversion therapy should not be practiced on minors, citing research and statements by the American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, and other professional organizations on the inefficacy and damaging effects of conversion therapy.

"(a) IN GENERAL.—It is the sense of Congress that sexual orientation and gender identity or expression change efforts directed at minors are discredited and ineffective, have no legitimate therapeutic purpose, and are dangerous and harmful.
(b) STATE ENCOURAGEMENT.—Congress encourages each State to take steps to protect minors from efforts that promote or promise to change sexual orientation or gender identity or expression, based on the premise that homosexuality is a mental illness or developmental disorder that can or should be cured."

These developments should be applauded. In the wake of California Governor Jerry Brown signing SB 1172 -- a bill banning conversion therapy for minors -- it is exciting to see more condemnation of this homophobic "therapy." I would like to see more public condemnation of the so-called "ex-gay" movement in general, against both its religious and therapeutic branches.

The ex-gay movement must be held accountable for its sins. Branding all non-heterosexual orientations as automatically pathological -- whether in a religious setting such as Exodus International or a supposedly "therapeutic" setting -- is false and unethical. Stereotyping LGBTQ life as a cesspool of debauchery and despair -- whether by so-called ex-gay speakers or so-called therapists -- is vile. LGBTQ persons need acceptance and respect, not homophobic quackery.


For additional commentary, visit the following links.

The Trevor Project: Rep. Jackie Speier Introduces Resolution to Protect Youth from Dangerous and Discredited Conversion Efforts

Human Rights Campaign: HRC Praises Introduction of Resolution Condemning Use of Dangerous Psychological Practices

Truth Wins Out: Statement on the ‘Stop Harming Our Kids’ (SHOK) Resolution

Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation: Eye on the Media: Facts About So-Called "Ex-Gay" Therapy

Daily Kos: Southern Poverty Law Center files landmark consumer fraud suit against "gay cure therapists"

Commentary Tidbits

Groping the Elephant: Rick Santorum: Idiot And Presidential Candidate 

GLAAD: JONAH rabbi circulates anti-LGBT "Torah Declaration"

Ex-Gay Watch: Exclusive: Secret Conference Held to ‘Save Exodus International’ from Ruin

The Daily Beast: Evangelicals Flocking Toward Newt Gingrich

The Bilerico Project: Why You Shouldn't Donate to the Salvation Army Bell Ringers

Salon: Are evangelicals a national security threat?

RH Reality Check: Mike Huckabee to Premiere an Anti-Choice "Documentary"

Ms. Magazine: Should Organized Religion Have More Rights Than Women?

Media Matters: Pat Robertson: Don't Worry About Living Next To Cemeteries...Unless There Are Witches

Politicus USA: Pat Robertson Resurrects Old Fears that Peace Symbol is Broken Cross

Concerned Women for America and LGBT Youth

Concerned Women for America (CWA), a right-wing Christian organization, recently posted an interview with Jeanne Sparks on its website. Sparks, a CWA prayer chapter leader in Westchester County, NY, has zeroed in on an LGBT youth conference called Prideworks, sponsored by GLSEN Hudson Valley.

According to a commentary piece at the CWA website, for the past six years, Sparks has been distributing "ex-gay" literature to young people outside the Prideworks conference. In addition to handing out brochures from Exodus International and JONAH, she tells young people that no one is born gay, and that they can change their sexual orientation if they choose. Sparks admits that she was asked to leave the conference premises on at least one occasion.

In their commentary, which brands GLSEN as a "homosexual pressure group", CWA praises Sparks for presenting "a case for healing" to LGBT youth. Sparks claims that GLSEN "discriminates" against people who hold a "Biblical worldview" because it refuse to acknowledge the supposed benefits of reparative therapy.

I was appalled. Promoting these unhealthy messages outside what is supposed to be a safe space for LGBT youth is unacceptable. In a world where LGBT youth have to contend with bullying and hate crimes, adults should be showing them acceptance. In a world with so much homophobia, adults should be encouraging LGBT youth to be proud of who they are. They should NOT telling them that they are disordered and in need of change. They should NOT promote destructive and ineffective reparative "therapy" to youngsters. They should NOT be invoking God to justify intolerance. People such as Sparks need to understand this.

Kudos to GLSEN Hudson Valley for providing LGBT youth with a safe space. To learn more about this year's Prideworks conference, visit these links.

LoHud.com: PrideWorks conference to promote respect for others

LoHud.com: PrideWorks draws 600, features gay country singer

Nightline Segment on Ex-Gay Program

In the wake of last weekend's NARTH and Soulforce conferences in Philadelphia, the media has devoted some attention to the ex-gay movement. On Monday, November 8th, ABC's Nightline featured a segment on ex-gay programs. Specifically, Nightline focused on a Journey into Manhood retreat, the same program infiltrated by Ted Cox in his expose, My Journey into Manhood. To watch the segment, click here and begin at the 6:30 mark.

I appreciate how Nightline acknowledged the program founders' lack of qualifications, as well as the negative experiences of two ex-gay program survivors. Still, I was disappointed in how shallow Nightline's research was. The segment took little time to explore the the trauma many ex-gay program survivors report, as well as how many ex-gay programs conflate sexual orientation with stereotypical gender roles.

To boot, I was stunned that Nightline made no mention of the large role of Religious Right organizations in spearheading the ex-gay movement. Are they aware of the many conservative faith-based ex-gay organizations, such as Exodus, JONAH, Desert Streams Ministry, and Love In Action? Are they aware of the role of prominent right-wing Christian organizations in the movement, such as Focus on the Family and the American Family Association? These are major elements of the ex-gay movement. I realize that Nightline only had a short amount of time for the segment, but to ignore these important elements was neglectful.

I'm pleased that ABC at least brought attention to the bogus ex-gay movement, but with regard to important details, I think they dropped the ball.

To read additional commentary on the Nightline segment, visit these links:

Truth Wins Out: Nightline: Journey into Manhood Poster Boy Cruises Men With Wife; Analysis of Puff Segment

Ex-Gay Watch: Journey into Manhood Investigated by ABC's Nightline

Soulforce Symposium in Philadelphia, Part I

Panel discussion on intersectional justice at the Soulforce Symposium.

I had the privilege of attending the Soulforce Symposium in Philadelphia on November 6th, which was an absolute delight. I've blogged about the many toxic Religious Right events I've infiltrated, so it's refreshing to blog about a hopeful, invigorating event hosted by such a positive organization. Plus, it allowed me to get acquainted with some fun corners of a vibrant city.

As you recall, the "ex-gay" National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) was holding a conference that weekend in Philadelphia, and thus Soulforce held a conference at the same time to combat lies from the "ex-gay" movement. As Soulforce executive director Dr. Cindi Love explains in this commentary at the Advocate, "ex-gay" groups such as NARTH, JONAH, and Exodus International have promoted dubious reparative therapy, intended to "cure" people of homosexual inclinations. The result has been ruined lives and homophobia, made even worse by the spread of the "ex-gay" message worldwide.