Truth Wins Out visited Omaha on April 11-14 to counter Focus on the Family’s Love Won Out conference, which trains people how to pray away the gay. On Thursday evening, TWO’s Executive Director and author of Anything But Straight, Wayne Besen, joined Rev. Jerry Stephenson, author of Coming Out of the Closet and into the Light, at a book signing and lecture at Reading Grounds. Approximately forty people came to the event to hear about how the ex-gay industry ruins lives and works to pass anti-gay laws. Indeed, the “ex-gay” group Exodus International is in Washington this week to lobby against hate crime legislation.

On Friday, Stephenson joined former ex-gay Shawn O’Donnell – who had appeared on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 the previous week – at a church vigil. More than 300 local activists prayed and sang spiritual songs to counter the ex-gay message with love. During this event, Besen interviewed with a network television show to discuss the damage done by the ex-gay myth.

On Saturday, Besen videotaped protesters, as they told painful stories of how ex-gay groups divided their families. These images and interviews will be available on this site later in the week. Meanwhile, O’Donnell and Stephenson went into the Love Won Out conference. It was an emotional reunion with the ex-gay message and messengers, as both men had been hurt by efforts to change from gay to straight.

They blogged about the experience for Truth Wins Out and discussed what it was like to hear the lies that almost drove both men to suicide. The following two entries are their stories and impressions of Love Won Out, from their new perspective as out and proud gay men.

(Note: Blogger Jim Burroway’s four-part detailed examination of Love Won Out’s program in Phoenix is a must-read for those who want to study the content of this traveling anti-gay road show)

Rev. Jerry Stephenson
B.S., M.A., Mdiv., Th.M., Th.D., Ph.D.
Ex-Southern Baptist Minister and Ex-Ex-Gay

Fifteen years ago, I was a Southern Baptist minister and part of the “ex-gay” ministries. Today, as a free gay man who is also a Christian, I make my way inside of Focus on the Family’s Love Won Out Conference undercover for Truth Wins Out. For the unacquainted, this symposium seeks to lead men and women out of the so-called “homosexual lifestyle” and into the “heterosexual lifestyle.”

As I enter the conference, I have a foreboding sense of hesitation and anxiety, having spent three-and-a-half years ensnared in the ex-gay trap. The dreadful experience left me feeling confused, frustrated, ashamed, angry and on the verge of suicide. These awful memories flood my mind as I enter the church. (Read More)

Shawn O’Donnell
Ex-Ex-Gay

Today, I returned to the Love One Out Conference in Omaha Nebraska to gain new insight on the hate they are spewing. It was very difficult to walk in the doors that I left five years ago. I thought it was going to be easy, but there was a lot of pain that came rushing in when I stepped inside. It wasn’t the same pain I experienced years ago, but a new pain for all those about to hear the message of false hope.

I thought I would enter unnoticed, but with recent media attention surrounding my story, I wasn’t in the door more than a few minutes before I was stopped. Focus on the Family “Gender Specialist” Mike Haley almost immediately greeted me. Looking disappointed, he asked me why I hadn’t contacted him. Mike is a long time friend who still believes that people can change their sexuality from gay to straight. Once again my emotions came flooding over me and I felt the same anger I did years ago after leaving the ex-gay ministries. (Read More)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

‘Day of Truth’ Promotes Shame and Pushes ‘Ex-Gay’ Conversion Therapy In Public Schools, Says Filmmaker Daniel Gonzales

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. - Truth Wins Out unveiled a new video today on YouTube examining the “Day of Truth” which aims to push gay youth into ‘ex-gay’ conversion programs. In response to GLSEN’s “Day of Silence” where gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth remain silent to protest the silencing effect discrimination and harassment has on LGBT youth, the far right Alliance Defense Fund created a “Day of Truth” one day after the pro-gay “Day of Silence.” (Read More)

Truth Wins Out examines Alliance Defense Fund’s anti-gay response to the “Day of Silence” which ADF calls the “Day of Truth.” This video reveals how the “Day of Truth” is nothing more than an excuse for the religious right to push “ex-gay” conversion programs on gay youth.

An exciting new website was launched this week that helps people who have been harmed by the ex-gay ministries and also tells the stories of these victims. The entrepreneurial venture was started by comedian Peterson Toscano (left) and former ex-lesbian Christine Bakke (right).

“In the fight against the ‘ex-gay’ myth there has been a real void in reaching out to former ex-gays and giving them the tools and love they need to heal,” said Truth Wins Out Executive Director Wayne Besen. “Beyond Ex-Gay will accomplish this, as well as tell the moving stories of survivors. The site will serve as a bank of testimonies that will help all of us in our efforts to expose this hoax.” (Read More)

By Wayne Besen

For nearly six years, Richard Cohen was the Tom Cruise of the so-called “ex-gay” movement. His book, Coming Out Straight, was all the rage and catapulted him into the realm of superstar status. In 2000, he was even a featured therapy trainer at the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality’s (NARTH) annual convention in Washington’s prestigious Mayflower Hotel.

Many of the religious right’s elite, such as Rev. Lou Sheldon and Bob Knight, graced the gilded conference hall, which I also attended while working on my book, Anything But Straight. During Cohen’s presentation, he discussed how men who are “transitioning into heterosexuality” must find mentors.

“I solicited all three of my straight male mentors,” Cohen recalled. “‘Would you like me to service you? I’m really good at it,’ I told each one of them. When they rejected me, I knew they loved me for who I am.”

Most of the middle-aged conservatives in the crowd looked stunned and a tad sickened by Cohen’s inappropriate remarks. Still, they followed his orders to take off their shoes and massage each other’s backs while new age music piped through the speakers. “Touch, Yes! Sex no!” Cohen bellowed. (Read More)