TWO Urges All Former ‘Ex-Gays’ To Participate In The Campaign And Save Lives
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. - Truth Wins Out launched its “Talking Truth” Internet video campaign today, so Americans can finally learn from the victims of “ex-gay” ministries how these misleading groups are ineffective and ruin lives. The video testimonies paint an accurate portrait of “ex-gay” groups that teach client’s denial, while offering false promises about changing from gay-to-straight. The Talking Truth campaign also gives hope to those who are still ensnared in the “ex-gay” trap and lets them know that they can remain both spiritual and openly gay.
“We hope our videos will save lives and make it more difficult for Exodus International to seduce young people with its fictions and fabrications.” said Wayne Besen, Executive Director of Truth Wins Out. “In our campaign, people will hear directly from the victims and see that these programs simply don’t work and can be a drain on time, money and self-esteem. We urge all former ex-gays to immediately contact Truth Wins Out and tell us your compelling story on video, so we can continue to rescue people harmed by ‘ex-gay’ programs.” (Read More)
For thirty years, Victoria Lavin thought reading Scripture would make her straight. When the miracle “cure” did not work, she numbed her pain with drugs and alcohol.
In recovery for substance abuse, Victoria finally realized she was fine, just as she was. She came out to her pastor and he condemned her. Thankfully, Victoria’s daughter was there for support in her moment of need. As a result, Victoria reconnected with God and entered seminary.
Today, she is out and proud, living in the Midwest with her life partner.
Coming Out was the “cure” she needed all along to find true happiness and be at peace with her spirituality.
For thirty years, Victoria Lavin thought reading Scripture would make her straight. When the miracle “cure” did not work, she numbed her pain with drugs and alcohol.
In recovery for substance abuse, Victoria finally realized she was fine, just as she was. She came out to her pastor and he condemned her. Thankfully, Victoria’s daughter was there for support in her moment of need. As a result, Victoria reconnected with God and entered seminary.
Today, she is out and proud, living in rural Nebraska.
Coming Out was the “cure” she needed all along to find true happiness and be at peace with her spirituality.
Rev. Jerry Stephenson was a Southern Baptist minister who desperately tried to change his sexual orientation. He attended Worthy Creations, a Fort Lauderdale ministry affiliated with Exodus International.
After three miserable years and thoughts of suicide, he realized that the “ex-gay” ministries were a fraud. During his time in Exodus, Stephenson says that he met no one who had changed. Even the leaders of the group were still attracted to the same sex.
Today, he counsels people who are trying to get out of ex-gay programs.
“They are selling a lie,” said Stephenson, a Truth Wins Out board member. “Exodous traffics in intolerance and profits from pain. I just hope I can help people avoid the suffering I endured at the hands of Exodus International. The truth is, you can only fool yourself for so long before you have to come out and be real. The best thing I ever did was come out of the closet.”
Rev. Jerry Stephenson was a Southern Baptist minister who desperately tried to change his sexual orientation. He attended Worthy Creations, a Fort Lauderdale ministry affiliated with Exodus International.
After three miserable years and thoughts of suicide, he realized that the “ex-gay” ministries were a fraud. During his time in Exodus, Stephenson says that he met no one who had changed. Even the leaders of the group were still attracted to the same sex.
Today, he counsels people who are trying to get out of “ex-gay” programs.
“They are selling a lie,” said Stephenson, a Truth Wins Out board member. “Exodus traffics in intolerance and profits from pain. I just hope I can help people avoid the suffering I endured at the hands of Exodus International. The truth is, you can only fool yourself for so long before you have to come out and be real. The best thing I ever did was come out of the closet.”
Televangelist’s Career Defined By Opposition to GLBT Equality
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Truth Wins Out reflected on today’s passing of Rev. Jerry Falwell, a right wing televangelist who built his empire with staunch opposition to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights.
“It is with great regret that Rev. Jerry Falwell never moderated his position on homosexuality,” said Truth Wins Out’s Executive Director Wayne Besen. “While our hearts go out to his family, we can’t help but to reflect on his life and think about all of the families he’s torn apart and teenagers that committed suicide because he made them feel inferior. He never missed an opportunity to kick our better angels to the curb and capitalize on our lesser demons to advance his career.” (Read More)
PFOX’s Theories Were Too Strange For The Religious Right, So How Can They By Okay For Public Schools? Asks Truth Wins Out
WASHINGTON – An organization whose former board president, Richard Cohen, was recently expunged from nearly every right wing group in the nation after a bizarre appearance on The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, filed a lawsuit against Arlington Public Schools to demand the right to indoctrinate students with odd, archaic and dangerous ideas.
The frivolous lawsuit was filed by the Center for Law and Religious Freedom on behalf of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays (PFOX). The ex-gay group is upset because the school system is not allowing them to hand out medically and psychologically inaccurate fliers that tell students that they can go from gay to straight.
Richard Cohen was PFOX’s intellectual guru and spokesperson for several years until a string of peculiar television appearances where he violently slammed a tennis racket against a pillow while screaming a parents’ name, caressed clients who sat in his lap and showed he was manly by cursing and belching. After displaying the techniques promoted by PFOX on TV, the religious right was so mortified, they cut all ties to Cohen and threatened to denounce PFOX unless they banished their president.
“After watching Cohen’s alarming display of lunacy on television, it would be grossly negligent and irresponsible for any school system to allow PFOX to hand out fliers to students,” said Truth Wins Out’s Executive Director Wayne Besen. “If PFOX is given the green light, it opens the door to any nut or fringe group to distribute literature in the schools. Arlington is clearly acting within its right to protect students from utter madness and theories rejected as harmful by every respected mental health organization in the country.” (Read More)
‘Bashing Back: Wayne Besen on GLBT People, Politics and Culture,’ is an Explosive and Controversial Look at the World from a Unique Progressive Viewpoint
NEW YORK - Author and activist Wayne Besen announced today he will launch his latest book, “Bashing Back: Wayne Besen on GLBT People, Politics and Culture,” at the Second Tuesday Lecture Series, at the LGBT Center in New York, on Thursday, May 17 (7PM). Bashing Back (Harrington Park Press) offers a powerful defense of secular and progressive values, while unsparingly eviscerating religious charlatans and right wing hypocrites. It also provides innovative approaches towards activism and practical advice for victory. For more information on the event, please visit www.secondtuesday.org.
“Wayne Besen has powerfully proven once and for all that he is one of the most important voices in the progressive community,” said author and advocate David Mixner. “His unique insights, powerful outrage, and uncompromising commitment to real justice and equality make this book a must-read for those who care. He pulls no punches when it comes to the issues and people of our time. Finally, someone with the courage to call it as he sees it - how refreshing.” (Read More)
Failed ‘Ex-Gay’ Poster Boy Michael Johnston Helped Lead to Theocratic Center’s Demise
MIAMI BEACH - Truth Wins Out today rejoiced over the downfall of the Center for Reclaiming America for Christ, a political arm of theocratic-leaning Coral Ridge Ministries. In 1998, the Center, which was then led by anti-gay activist Janet Folger, gained notoriety by leading a divisive national advertising campaign that featured so-called “ex-gays.” The Center’s influence quickly declined after its “ex-gay” poster boy Michael Johnston was caught in a 2003 sex scandal.
“Today we celebrate the demise of one of the most insidious anti-gay groups in America that incited intolerance by pumping out virulently anti-gay propaganda,” said Truth Wins Out’s Executive Director Wayne Besen. “The Center for Reclaiming America for Christ bet the bank on the ‘ex-gay’ message, and by doing so, bankrupted their credibility after their rising ‘ex-gay’ star crashed and burned.” (Read More)
With a gift of $35 to Truth Wins Out, you can receive an autographed copy of "Anything But Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth."
