UPDATED: Truth Wins Out Announces Eleven State Tour Highlighting The Harm Caused by the ‘Ex-Gay’ Industry

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10 Comments

1. 

   Gew January 19, 2011 at 7:25 pm -

   Go get ‘em Wayne.

   I have a lot of respect for you people who can yak face-to-face with the other side. I just wouldn’t have the forebearance or patience and I’d lose it pretty fast. Kudos to you guys who can tolerate the nonsense in person.

2. Work E-Mail Not Protected by Attorney-Client Privilege, Court Says, Creating Change Conference, Court Win for Same-Sex Couples Seeking Benefits, and more… » DailyQueerNews.com January 20, 2011 at 5:25 am -

   [...] Truth Wins Out Announces Eleven State Tour Highlighting the Harm Caused by the ‘Ex-Gay’ Industry. Read more  [...]

3. 

   Perry Warren January 20, 2011 at 8:48 pm -

   Wayne, looking forward to your Montgomery visit.
   Thanks for all you do.

4. 

   Mykelb January 21, 2011 at 1:36 am -

   Wayne, it looks like you will be preaching to the choir with those organizations. Please tell me how that is going to help stop the radical right from sending their kids to their pschological deaths in places like Love Won Out and Exodus.

5. 

   Wayne Besen January 21, 2011 at 7:44 am -

   Mykelb:

   Glad you asked.

   1) Many of the events are at universities that are open the the public. At such events people from all different viewpoints attend. So, it’s not just the choir.

   2) Local media that results reaches the entire community, not just the choir.

   3) Informing the choir is also important. Local activists who know about this topic are better prepared to address it in the local media, thus teaching the people you mention.

   4) This is the real world. Only friends will host events on both sides of the political spectrum. I noticed that you did not question the reach or effectiveness of Love Won Out. But those events are only held in ultra-conservative churches. Thus, they are also speaking to the choir to the extent I am. Look, I’d be happy to speak in the cafeteria at Focus on the Family headquarters. Unfortunately, they did not invite me.

   5) The events are, in some ways, like missionary training. They inspire people to work on this issue in their local community. These individuals can save lives by speaking out locally long after I’m gone.

   6) I know for a fact these events have helped many people, even saved lives. I know because people tell me so.

   7) The events help me locate new spokespeople. Their stories are then told to the world on the web, video and media.

   8) I’m typing on phone, so please excuse typos.

6. 

   Daniel January 21, 2011 at 1:22 pm -

   Excellent Wayne. I’m glad to read your defense to Mykelb’s question. I’ve always found that “preaching to the choir” thing annoying. It seems to imply that if you’re not going to NOM or FRC it’s not worth doing. Also, it’s not like you’re a coward about this–you’ve gone on Fox News for Christ’s sake.

7. 

   August Berkshire January 25, 2011 at 12:29 pm -

   Darn. I wait years for you to come to Minneapolis and when you do it’s on a day I’ll be out of town. Oh, well. Keep up the good fight.

   We’ll promote the event through Minnesota Atheists’ Atheist Weekly E-mail (you were on our radio show a couple years ago). Is your appearance in Minneapolis free or is there an admission charge?

8. 

   Wayne Besen January 25, 2011 at 12:32 pm -

   Thanks so much for promoting it. You can always come to Fargo later in the week. :)

9. 

   August Berkshire January 25, 2011 at 12:48 pm -

   We’re out of town all week or I’d be tempted to make the 3.5 hour drive!

   Before we promote your appearance it would be nice to know if there is an admission charge. Should I contact the sponsors, OutFront Minnesota?

10. 

    Wayne Besen January 25, 2011 at 1:23 pm -

    No admission.

    Although people are free to contribute to Truth Wins Out if they like the presentation! ;)