In 1998, fifteen socially conservative groups launched a huge “ex-gay” advertising campaign that was billed as the “Normandy Landing in the cultural wars.” The attack began with full-page ads in The New York Times and USA Today. Now, ten years and several scandals later, it appears that the right wing may be reconsidering its strategy.
Last Saturday, TruthWinsOut.org, joined local organizations at the Billy DeFrank Center in San Jose to counter Love Won Out, Focus on the Family’s ex-gay road show. The anti-gay conference only drew 700 participants, down from past events, which drew thousands of mainly confused parents who were dealing with children who had come out.
More important, this was the second consecutive symposium where Focus on the Family chose not to market to the general public. As in Memphis, the group’s usual “ex-gay” billboards did not hover over major highways. The group also did not solicit press from major media outlets until days before the event. Instead, they concentrated their marketing efforts in right wing churches.
The subdued atmosphere of Love Won Out follows a decision by the largest “ex-gay” group, Exodus International, to recall their Washington lobbyist. It is too early to know if the right wing is rethinking the “ex-gay” issue or simply regrouping to launch another major ad blitz. Perhaps, the twin disasters of Sen. Larry Craig and Rev. Ted Haggard may have severely eroded the already shaky credibility of the ex-gay industry.
Tags: Focus on the Family, Love Won Out, San JoseRelated posts
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they probably lack funds because of their lack of credibility and therefore dont have the resources to advertise as much
http://www.queersunited.blogspot.com
Comment by queerunity — April 16, 2008 @ 1:50 pm
The message is the same for I had a good friend go to one of the Love Won Out conferences in Mountain View CA last week. But I think how they advertise and get the message out has changed. Just cause some of the leaders and known governmental leaders have “failed” for them does not mean the message has changed. For them being gay or should I say labeling yourself gay and then choosing to live out the “gay identity” is and will be sinful.
What is interesting to me is that I hear very little about the history of the ex-gay movement starting out in Anaheim CA. All the men had numerous sexual encounters with other men putting them in conflict with their beliefs. These men really were dealing more with addiction and how it was manifested. No one had really come from a place of being in a monogamous relationship with another man. Having multiple partners are in direct violation of Christian beliefs gay or straight.
Comment by jeff — April 18, 2008 @ 11:34 am