(Weekly Column)
While researching last week, my organization, Truth Wins Out, stumbled upon an interesting find. The “ex-gay” group Homosexuals Anonymous Fellowship Services (HAFS) had sent their director, Doug McIntyre, on a trip to Kenya to impart his views on how gay people could be converted to heterosexuality using a 14-step group therapy program. According to the organization’ October 2009 newsletter:
On November 3, 2009 the Director of HAFS will begin a visit to the beautiful country of Kenya. We have been invited to begin a new work for the HA program and educate the members of a two thousand member church so that they can begin to reclaim the lost youth of the area. An invitation has been extended to teach in 15 local schools and participate in a leadership training program for nearly 200 pastors and church leaders.
Not surprisingly, there had recently been an outbreak of intolerance and intimidation against Kenya’ LGBT citizens. The BBC reported that Kenyan police released five people arrested for planning a “gay wedding” north of Mombasa, saying there was no evidence to prosecute them. Police spokesman Martha Mutegi told the BBC the men had been told to leave the region for their own safety and to avoid angering the local community.
It is important to note that some LGBT advocates dispute the BBC report, claiming that a same-sex wedding never actually took place and that the event was a fabrication in order for anti-gay forces to incite mob violence. In any case, neither scenario is comforting and highlights the escalating danger faced by gay and lesbian Kenyans.
Isn’t it amazing that wherever American anti-gay and ex-gay activists go in Africa, hate campaigns are not too far behind?
First, we had Uganda, where parliament is currently debating a “kill the gays” bill. The witch-hunt against sexual minorities began soon after a Spring 2009 conference in Kampala featuring American “ex-gay” activists from Exodus International and The International Healing Foundation.
Now, we have growing anti-gay sentiment in Kenya following a visit by HAFS’ Doug McIntyre. Although HAFS is not directly responsible for the violence, they are certainly contributing to a hostile climate by preaching a message that one can be cured from their homosexuality through a combination of prayer and therapy.
In a phone call I had with HAFS’ McIntyre last week, he claims that he spoke to nearly 10,000 students and educators in Kenya on his November trip to Kenya and plans to return this week to indoctrinate thousands more. When confronted with the possibility that his message might contribute to an antagonistic environment for LGBT Kenyans, McIntyre brushed off the suggestion and became angry. He later wrote in the comments section on Truth Wins Out’ blog:
“As for connecting the HA program with violence…I did hear about the violence that happened with the “marriage’ on the plane on the way over to Kenya so it could not have been connected to anything I was doing there.”
This statement was clearly not true, because McIntyre’ trip was in November 2009, while the alleged wedding occurred on February 12, 2010. So, there is no way he could have “heard” about this episode unless his plane was packed with passengers headed to a Nairobi psychic’ convention.
McIntyre’ ultimate response to my catching him in a fib was to start a rumor on my website about my HIV status. According to a McIntyre post (comment 41) on Truth Wins Out’ blog
“I suggestyed [sic] that in the interest of truth [sic] You and I might investigate the truth to a very harmful rumor about the founder of this blogg [sic] being HIV positive and request him to provide results to dispell [sic] that rumor.”
First, I want to make it clear that I believe there is no shame in being HIV-positive. It is a virus and if I were infected I would have no issue disclosing my status. However, I happen to be HIV-negative.
It is appalling that McIntyre would start a rumor and pretend that he is broaching the topic to “dispel” the very misinformation he had deliberately put in the public realm. It speaks to a lack of integrity and a breathtaking amorality from a man who claims to be a minister.
However, his display of dishonesty with me is only relevant because is it is indicative of the behavior displayed by unscrupulous American religious fanatics that are fanning out across the planet to spread disinformation about LGBT people. And unlike me, the victims of these anti-gay lies are not able to respond for fear of reprisals.
As technology shrinks the world, we will be affected more each year by globetrotting anti-gay characters with character issues. It is important that we realize that our foes have few scruples and will travel to the ends of the earth to peddle End Times theology. They are no longer waiting for the rapture, but trying to capture and corrupt the minds good people across the globe.
Tags: Doug McIntyre, ex-gay, Homosexuals Anonymous, Kenya, pathological liarsRelated posts
6 Comments »
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URL
Wayne,
We have to somehow challenge our gay brothers and sisters who are imprisoned by these Anti-Gay delegations & individuals to really study the word of God for themselves without intimidation and to challenge these individuals who imprison our gay brothers and sisters; challenge them verse by verse and scripture by scripture as to what is the truth of the word of God in it’s proper context verses their personal passionate Anti-Homosexual Traditional Religion.
1 Example: Mathew 19:11 (KJV) But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. 12For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
Eunuchs were men who did not have sexual relationships/marriage with women for various reasons that Jesus laid out… I believe that Jesus did address homosexuals in this same chapter as he addressed marriage.
Wayne, I sincerely thank you and appreciate the work that you do to proclaim TRUTH.
Samuel
Comment by Samuel Brown — March 3, 2010 @ 3:34 pm
Please forgive my ignorance, and by no means am I trying to offend anyone, but isn’t homosexuality a sickness? I know it cannot be “normal”. I don’t think that gays should be descriminated against, however, I don’t think that homosexuality should be accepted or viewed as normal. I think it is our responsibility as members of the human race to try to understand it’s causes. Although HAFS may be approaching the situation wrong, I do think that research and treatment is necessary as with any “abnormal” behavioral conditions. I do understand that gays say they cannot help their feelings, however, pedophiles say the same thing, does that make it ok? No. They need help. Something has happened to them somewhere along the line. Whether it be incest/molestation, abuse, environmental influences, etc. Whatever the case, I think “normal” behaviors in humans can also be widely observed in animals. I’ve never seen a gay animal.
As for the comment left by Wayne, I do not understand how this scripture from the bible addresses homosexuality. This is something else that I don’t get- homosexuality and religion. Although I am not deeply religous myself, I always thought that Christianity clearly stated that homosexuality was wrong. What is the general understanding of this among gays and lesbians?
Finally, Wayne is calling for gays and lesbians to oppose this program, but I see this as a person who has an addiction to crystal meth saying: “I can’t stop, I don’t want to stop anyway, this makes me happy, this is who I am, those stupid programs don’t work anyway!” Again, I am sorry if my comments offend, maybe I just don’t understand.
I am looking for a healty conversation on this issue. It almost seems like a guilty pleasure. A Pandora’s box that some just happen to open and many do not dare. Just so that I can understand better, if sex were eliminated, would you still be gay?
Comment by Storm — March 4, 2010 @ 10:21 am
Storm,
No, homosexuality is not an illness. The APA removed homosexuality as a mental image a few decades ago based on extensive research into the matter. Other professional organizations have come to the same conclusion. In fact, the only organizations that continue to maintain that homosexuality is an illness are politically and/or religiously motivated organizations that rely more on personal bias rather than research. (Ironically, they accuse the APA of being politically biased despite the fact that it’s the APA that has the research data to back up their position.)
As for your insistence that gay people need help, I would ask you to defend that position. Why do gay people need help? Unlike a pedophile, they are not exploiting or using another individual. Unlike a crystal meth addict, gay people’s lives do not suffer because of their same-sex attractions. I am a well-adjusted member of society who has made many contributions to my community in terms of financial support and time spent on projects that benefit others. The fact that I do so while enjoying an emotionally and sexually fulfilling relationship with another man is irrelevant.
As for your claims about never seeing a gay animal, I would encourage you to do a bit of research their. Homosexuality (including life-long same-sex matings) have been observed in many mammals and even some other primates.
If you are truly looking for a healthy conversation on this issue, I would encourage you to do a bit of research and let go of your preconceived notions in favor of the facts.
Comment by Jarred — March 4, 2010 @ 11:17 am
Oh, and as for what Christianity and the Bible teach about homosexuality, I would recommend you check out the documentary, “For the Bible Tells Me So.” You might also want to check out sites like Gay Christian Network as well. After all, there’s a huge range of thought on the subject even within Christian circles.
Unfortunately, I can’t help you much more on that topic. As a non-Christian, I don’t find the Bible any more authoritative on such subjects than I find the Bhagavad Gita, the Havamal, or the Tao of Pooh. Actually, as a Vanic witch, I’m probably inclined to take the Havamal as slightly more authoritative.
Comment by Jarred — March 4, 2010 @ 11:22 am
Storm said ” I do understand that gays say they cannot help their feelings, however, pedophiles say the same thing, does that make it ok?”.
Storm, the difference is that pedophiles are harming people, gays are not and yes this does make it okay.
Comment by Priya Lynn — March 4, 2010 @ 11:40 am
If Storm wants to find out about how biology – genes and hormones – influence sexual orientation, (s)he might want to read the following link:
http://www.hum.utah.edu/~bbenham/2510%20Spring%2009/Behavior%20Genetics/The%20Real%20Story%20on%20Gay%20Genes.pdf
As pointed out above, homosexuality has no detrimental affect on welbeing in society. It’s no more abnormal or unnatural than any other non-reproductive sexual activity, which humans engage in about 99.99% of the time. It’s also observed in hundreds of other animal species, and especially in our closest relatives, bonobos and chimpanzees. If ‘Storm’ has an aversion to homosexuality he he free not to engage in it. If it is harmless, he has no authority to interefere and dictate what should make others happy. I hope that settles it.
Comment by adrianT — March 4, 2010 @ 11:41 am