GLSEN’s Day of Silence is still a month-and-a-half away, but Exodus International is already mobilizing antigay teens in schools across North America with Exodus’ misnamed “Day of Truth” campaign.
The DOT mobilizes antigay churches and students to harass LGBT students and their friends, and — under the guise of so-called “conversation” — to lobby schools to exclude LGBT students from schools’ antibullying policies.
In a press release last week, Exodus applauded its past successes in convincing antigay youths to be ignorant, misinformed, and sanctimonious toward their lesbian and gay “friends.” (If you’re wondering why Exodus doesn’t mention transgender students, it’s because the organization effectively denies the existence of people who are not conventionally male or female, equating them with drag queens.)
Here are some of Exodus’ “success” stories:
“One girl in particular asked me if it was hard because I have a friend that is a lesbian. I told her that “yes” it is hard, but I’m not going to give up on her. I think that God has so many awesome plans for that girl and for the rest of us. The Day of Truth is something that is so awesome!” – A high school freshman in Arizona
“I was so glad to hear about the Day of Truth. My daughter is a freshman.. and we have both been in shock that the school counselor would promote a club to encourage gay lifestyles. We need to pray for these kids and people encouraging this sinful and deadly lifestyle and give our kids a voice to proclaim the truth.” – Pam, a parent
“I still disagree with your views, and I always will. However, you’ve expressed your views in a polite and forthright manner, without being confrontational, and I wanted to tell you that I very much appreciate that.” – An adult who does not support Exodus International’s views on homosexuality
Please note that Exodus lacked sufficient integrity to identify these people for purposes of confirmation; that none of these people indicate any knowledge of specific truths about their friends and children; none of them acknowledge the violence and harassment that is happening against their LGBT classmates; none of them admit the truth that Exodus ex-gay counseling programs are a dismal failure; and that the two antigay poster-persons view the task of having gay friends or relatives as a chore — or worse, a threat. That’s Exodus-style “love” for you.
Truth Wins Out urges schools and GSAs around the country to become alert to Exodus’ possible formation, in coming months, of affiliate student groups that intend to harass and ostracize religious and sexual minorities — and to sabotage nascent efforts by parents and friends of assaulted youths to make schools safer for LGBT students.
they also fail to acknowledge that anti-gay bullying affects ANYONE. anybody who is percieved as different or “an other” can be taunted as “gay” even if they’re straight as a freeway. And in this case, gay conversion will not help – they are already “not gay.”
This is so disgusting. Why not just leave people to live their own lives and be happy? If I was in school I would report this as the anti-gay bullying that it is–ditto if I was a parent. I don’t see the “conversation” proceeding in the other direction… of course with the fundies, the “conversation” is always more on the order of a monologue. Not that I would want anyone trying to turn someone who is straight gay. A) It cannot be done, and B)to me, doing something like that rates as sexual harassment.
@Michael
I have to respectfully disagree that Exodus believes transpeople do not exist. In my research, I believe Exodus just doesn’t want to deal with the hassle. They believe transpeople are so few that they’re not worth working with. They used to deal with transgenderism via member organization Reality Resources. Then the leader told everyone he had never really healed and still wanted to be a woman and that total healing was impossible. Transgender Christians had to live a life of difficult drudgery. That didn’t jive with Chamber’s them of hope and happiness, so he banished RR along with transgender therapy in general. They still refer people to RR, even tho they closed down.
However, you are right in that they see “same sex attraction” and transgender feelings as nearly equivalent. It would not surprise me that most of Exodus’ members take transpeople and treat them as if they’re gay. Ex-trans Sy Rogers, for example. Sometimes Exodus calls him former gay, sometimes former cross dresser, and sometimes former transexual.
Good points, Ephilei — thanks. If you have links or documentation regarding RR, let’s discuss further — the TWO site needs more info about ex-gay abuse of transgender persons.
How can those who disagree with the gay, transgender, bisexual lifestyles (regardless of rationale) have productive conversations with those who support those life styles. Your above statement that
“The DOT mobilizes antigay churches and students to harass LGBT students and their friends, and ‚Äî under the guise of so-called “conversation” ‚Äî to lobby schools to exclude LGBT students from schools’ antibullying policies.”
has two assumptions that I’m not sure you can make: One, Everyone who engages a conversation with a gay person but has opposing viewpoints is engaging in harrassment and then secondly that each of those persons intended end is to impact the school’s antibullying policies.” Disagreement in itself does not constitute harassment. People can and probably have varying reasons to engage with GLBT people on the matter of sexual preference and not one that is specifically outlined by any said organization.
My question then is… can people who have a more literal biblical viewpoint engage in a productive discussion with any GLBT person? Secondly, if yes, how would you see that transpiring?
Jim T.:
“Everyone who engages a conversation with a gay person but has opposing viewpoints is engaging in harrassment”
Strawman argument. There is a difference between the conversations that already occur on campus and through GSAs, and the one-way monologues being taught by Exodus International.
“each of those persons intended end is to impact the school’ antibullying policies.”
Strawman argument again. TWO has demonstrated, numerous times, that the objective of Exodus and the ADF to “impact” (undermine) school antibullying policies — and to exploit antigay students in pursuit of that objective.
Jim’s right, because his viewpoint is one that doesn’t support the inherent dignity of LGBT people, therefore there is no common ground to be found.
Jim’s belief is that, based on absolutely no evidence, he has the right to fill LGBT children’s heads with all kinds of hurtful (and completely disproven) nonsense, in the name of fire insurance he believes everybody needs, again, with NO supporting evidence.
So strawman or not, he has a point. So why is he trolling gay rights websites?
Gentleman, you haven’t answered my root question that really is asked in earnestness. How can a Bible-believing Christian engage a helpful conversation with a GLBT person in a way that in honoring and dignified and yet remain true one’s own core beliefs?
I’ve only “trolled” this one site because I hoping for thoughful discussion on this question. I believe that someone who is opposed to my views can still have engaging discussion on the matter.
Um, Jim? I’m not sure what you really want.
You can have a thoughtful discussion however you’d like without compromising your beliefs, since nobody’s forcing you into a gay relationship. Of course, your “core beliefs” are absolutely irrelevant to my life, so if you hold some sort of twisted belief that you have some sort of responsibility to try to convince gay people that they’re sinners, then you’re not going to get much “thoughtful discussion.”
Jim Trewin,
you, along with Exodus, are missing the entire point of anti-bullying measures like the Day of Silence.
The point isn’t to condone any “lifestyle.” (btw, if you TRULY want to peacefully engage gays in a discussion, I would disuse that term from now on.)
The point is the oppose bullying of people with anti-gay epithets. Kids who commit suicide because they can’t bear being tormented day after day are not always gay. All you have to be is a little different, in any way, to be called “faggot,” “sissy,” “dyke,” or have someone simply accuse you of being something you’re not.
So, before you start trying to engage us in discussion about how our “lifestyles” conflict with your personal religious beliefs, please try to answer this: How would telling a kid who is bullied for being gay – but ISN’T ACTUALLY GAY – that he needs to stop living his “lifestyle” because it is sinful help ease his pain and encourage a peaceful environment?
It wouldn’t. Because he isn’t gay. He’s just different, and is bullied for being “gay” simply because he’s different.
That is why we need to confront the bullies and negative acts. Until then, you’re just blaming gay people for their own murders.
Jim Trewin, why should you be bothering your head about the gay lifestyle [sic] that anyone else is leading?
I know an awful lot of people who are leading a straight lifestyle, and I’ve never once felt the need to “engage” with them on the matter of sexual preference, or to have a “productive discussion” or “helpful conversation” with them that they haven’t invited and clearly don’t require.
Exactly. The only reason Christian fundamentalists ever want to engage in “productive discussions” are so that they can, in their minds, try to convert people away from their authentic selves and into the service of a craven, disproven ideology in a nicer way.
They believe that, since they are (most likely) white Christians, that they are still the gatekeepers of society, and that anyone who is different needs to be brought over to their side in some way or another. They are not to be trusted.
I might have been misled about what the day of silence is about. I was assuming and it is being promoted at our high school by the GSA as to promote awareness that gay teens are forced into silence by the current culture.
I don’t need to use the term “lifestyle”. I apologize if you find this demeaning. Good input. It also can be said that using the terms “twisted and silly” are intentionally demeaning and unfruitful for discussion.
To avoid silence people need to feel the opportunity to speak out and a safe atmosphere where diverse people can engage in thoughtful discuss free of name calling on both sides: fagot, sissy, queer, twisted, silly, homophobic, bigot, fascist. Even “gay” has become recklessly used as a put down by young teens.
While some may not feel the need to engage in discussion, I’m assuming the day of silence is an attempt to raise awareness. When you choose to raise awareness you, I assume, enter the public arena to engage in discussion. Otherwise what’s the point?
The Day Of Silence is not an activity that is being brought into the schools where some students don’t agree with it due to religious convictions. This year the event has become more widespread. Students have, in the past, been chided and intimidated by other students into compliance and participation with the Day Of Silence. So the question then is how to productively respond? What I’m beginning to hear from you is they should shut up and say nothing.
This will be my last post. I am not hear to convince you to that you shouldn’t be gay. I don’t think it’s an issue that is decided through debate. I am here to try and understand how gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans-gender people would like to have people like myself respond to the Day Of Silence in a thoughtful productive way.
Say anything you want as long as you’re not going to preach disproven nonsense to gay kids about how being gay is wrong or about how homosexuality can/should be changed?
The Day of Silence isn’t about anybody’s approval or disapproval of anything. It’s about shining a light on the fact that kids are bullied at higher rates because they are or are perceived to be LGBT. It’s about making that climate disappear.
[...] activist organization Truth Wins Out had this to say of the event: The DOT mobilizes antigay churches and students to harass LGBT students and their [...]
[...] Exodus’ Day of “Truth’ Celebrates School Ignorance, Prejudice February 28, 2010 [...]
To be honest I do not believe that Day of Silence is JUST about gay people. Though it is organized by GLSEN and is primarily revolved around GLBT the teachers and students at my school have come to the thought that it is for all minorities that have ever been silenced by hate and ignorance. We tell students that even if they aren’t gay or don’t have gay friends they can still participate if they wish to end the bullying and discrimination against other minority groups or even if they themselves have been teased/discriminated against for who they are.
I realize there are probably a lot of people who may disaggree with this viewpoint (even supporters of DoS who believe that it is purely a gay awareness event) but this aproach has helped to get many more students at our school to see the benefit of participating.
[...] of the effect of anti-gay bullying and harassment. In response, religious activists took up the “Day of Truth,” an event championed by the “ex-gay ministry” Exodus International that’s [...]
[...] the effect of anti-gay bullying and harassment. In response, religious activists took up the “Day of Truth [18],” an event championed by the “ex-gay ministry” Exodus International [...]