Comments on: Exodus Exec to Jews: Hear Me Proselytize, or Don’t Talk to Me http://www.truthwinsout.org/blog/exodus-exec-to-jews-convert-or-dont-talk-to-me/ TruthWinsOut.org is a non-profit organization that counters right wing propaganda, exposes the “ex-gay” myth and educates America about gay life. Sat, 22 Nov 2008 10:09:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: David Benkof http://www.truthwinsout.org/blog/exodus-exec-to-jews-convert-or-dont-talk-to-me/#comment-6540 David Benkof Sun, 22 Jun 2008 06:18:12 +0000 http://www.truthwinsout.org/?p=705#comment-6540 Michael- I greatly appreciate your taking my side in my dispute with Emily Kesselman from ExGayWatch over whether Randy was the one who behaved inappropriately or whether it was me. Thank you. On the other hand, I don't think your criticism of Randy above was the right thing to do. True, he behaved piggishly, but I explained to him and others who sympathize with him at length why his behavior was so offensive, bigoted, and pointless, and he resisted at first, but within 24 hours he acknowledged he had been wrong, apologized to me, and promised to never again try to evangelize a Jew who has asked him not to. That result is exactly what I was looking for (contrary to Randy's assumption I was trying to get him fired), and it's what I got. So I am very pleased. Wouldn't it be nice if one of us challenged him to stop saying therapy can change sexuality, or to stop misrepresenting the science of being gay, or any one of the major points you and I disagree with Randy and his ilk about.... and he actually complied? I mean, how awesome would that be? Well, if you want him to ever do something like that, continuing to criticize him for past behavior that he now says was wrong and that he promises to never do again, is probably counterproductive. I don't think it's a coincidence that it seems the first opponent of the "ex-gay" movement who successfully got a top leader of Exodus International to admit he was wrong, apologize, and promise never to do something again was me. That's part of why I don't understand why ExGayWatch and Wayne Besen and others like them don't see me as the terrific potential ally that I am, instead of attacking me for not agreeing with them 100%. It is undeniable that I have access to huge swaths of important audiences in the ex-gay debate that you will never be able to reach. I mean, for years I had a standing invitation to address the annual Exodus International conference, which it's quite possible is no longer on the table. But you see my point - there are parts of our mutual agenda that you could never accomplish without me, and it's a real shame we so far haven't been able to get over our differences and work together on goals we share. At the same time, I want you to know how much I am grateful for your support in an ordeal that was upsetting to me. Strange bedfellows, huh? Michael-

I greatly appreciate your taking my side in my dispute with Emily Kesselman from ExGayWatch over whether Randy was the one who behaved inappropriately or whether it was me. Thank you.

On the other hand, I don’t think your criticism of Randy above was the right thing to do. True, he behaved piggishly, but I explained to him and others who sympathize with him at length why his behavior was so offensive, bigoted, and pointless, and he resisted at first, but within 24 hours he acknowledged he had been wrong, apologized to me, and promised to never again try to evangelize a Jew who has asked him not to.

That result is exactly what I was looking for (contrary to Randy’s assumption I was trying to get him fired), and it’s what I got. So I am very pleased.

Wouldn’t it be nice if one of us challenged him to stop saying therapy can change sexuality, or to stop misrepresenting the science of being gay, or any one of the major points you and I disagree with Randy and his ilk about…. and he actually complied? I mean, how awesome would that be?

Well, if you want him to ever do something like that, continuing to criticize him for past behavior that he now says was wrong and that he promises to never do again, is probably counterproductive.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that it seems the first opponent of the “ex-gay” movement who successfully got a top leader of Exodus International to admit he was wrong, apologize, and promise never to do something again was me. That’s part of why I don’t understand why ExGayWatch and Wayne Besen and others like them don’t see me as the terrific potential ally that I am, instead of attacking me for not agreeing with them 100%. It is undeniable that I have access to huge swaths of important audiences in the ex-gay debate that you will never be able to reach. I mean, for years I had a standing invitation to address the annual Exodus International conference, which it’s quite possible is no longer on the table. But you see my point - there are parts of our mutual agenda that you could never accomplish without me, and it’s a real shame we so far haven’t been able to get over our differences and work together on goals we share.

At the same time, I want you to know how much I am grateful for your support in an ordeal that was upsetting to me. Strange bedfellows, huh?

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