The Oprah Winfrey Network did a sub par job addressing the “ex-gay” issue last night. Truth Wins Out offered to help get accurate information to reporter Lisa Ling for her “Pray the Gay Away” one-hour show. Unfortunately, Ling declined and the result was a series of errors and misreporting of the real story.
A perfect example is the way Ling threw around the word “lifestyle”. No decent reporter has used this term since the 1980′s. Yet, it somehow made its way into the segment, despite all the star directors and producers that work for “The Big O” and her network. Ling tried to spin her ignorance by saying that the term came up in the context of a conversation with Alan Chambers.
However, Ling clearly initiated the use of the term during an interview with anti-lesbian activist Janet Boynes, who runs a failed “ex-gay” ministry in Minneapolis. This is what we’d expect from an intern at FOX News. This is not the quality we’d expect from a first-rate journalist.
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Compare the joke that Lisa Ling produced to the piece by 60 Minutes a couple of weeks ago about “21st Century Snake Oil”. 60 Minutes did a hard-hitting piece confronting and exposing scam artists who were seeking to profit off quack ‘cures’ for ALS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTu9kgsZoV0
Why did Lisa sit back and do absolutely no investigative journalism on Exodus and Chamber’s personal friend and colleague Janet Boynes? So good to see you exposing Ling’s unprofessional hackery. Oprah should be more careful in allowing crap like this on her network.
In 2000, the Associated Press “AP stylebook” amended the gay entry so that it specifically discouraged references to a “gay lifestyle.” Even my small town newspaper follows the AP stylebook, as do most TV journalists.
Lisa Ling is not at the height of her career, that would have been her stint on the view. Get Doinger her own show!
Don’t know if anyone is investigating this, but it shocked the hell out of me. On the episode, Ling interviewed a guy named ‘Christian’ who refused to name the person who had raped him as a child. Why are Ling and ‘Christian’ protecting a known rapist who is could very well be victimizing others right now and may have even murdered! Ling just skipped over that and it took my breath away. Does she even care about kids?
“This is not the quality we’d expect from a first-rate journalist.”
Lisa Ling? First rate? HA! She’s the new Geraldo Rivera.
It was strange to see Lisa Ling keep repeating the false claim that Exodus is no longer out looking for ex-gays. Hello? That’s how Exodus supports their corporation. They’re not selling shoes are they? It’s equivalent to someone who is a professional house painter saying: “I’m a house painter by trade. But I would never look for houses to paint.” WTF?
Ling was WISE not to have Christian out his rapist on that show. First it wasn’t about that and second how do you know what went on off camera? It wasn’t the time or the place. He may very well have gone to the Police.
As for the show LL was doing a story about why people believe what they believe in regards to Faith and a very controversial issue in that community. It’s sad that the only real issue and complaint here is the term “Gay Lifestyle” which she only used when talking to 2 ex-gays who use the term themselves. Ling was talking their language conversationally in the interview. Journalist/reporters do that sometimes as a relational tool in interviews to help people feel more comfortable and open up. You know that Wayne. Perhaps if she had said “quote unquote” or made air quotes with the hands you wouldn’t have made such a big deal about it. Love Doinkers but this is silly and it seems like your more upset they didn’t use you. You sound a little bitter Besen. I’m thinking you must have bigger fish to fry.
Butter Pecan, the “lifestyle” remark wasn’t our primary complaint. You seem to be avoiding the facts, just as Ling did.
Butter nut fudge:
There will be several more videos addressing the failure of Lisa Ling.
As far as being bitter — I have reason to be. Lisa Ling was offered the facts and she chose fiction — and was guilty of dereliction of duty. A reporter’s only job is to tell the story. She failed.
However, Butter Nut, I’ve checked your internet address and know who you are. You are a back-stabbing, social climber who is selling out the LGBT community for personal gain.
Don’t expect your calls to be returned. I’m really disappointed that you have so little integrity and care more about connections than helping people who are harmed by these charlatans.
Find some morals and get your priorities straight.
Lisa’s interview with the 27 year old virgin, Ethan, was very puzzling. Obviously Ethan has masturbated (or had wet dreams) several thousand times over the last decade. Was he fantasizing or dreaming about nude men? If so, how the hell is that ex-gay? He was literally sexually gratifying himself by savoring over the mental images of glistening nude male bodies. That’s reality folks. There is no way the guy has NEVER masturbated or somehow fantasizes sexually about kittens. The guy has to be getting off on something (even in an involuntary wet dream). That’s what gives away the truth 100% of the time. Lisa Ling isn’t doing anyone a favor by pushing glossy lies and fabrications.
“how do you know what went on off camera?”
Hello? The program was filmed and then edited for at least several weeks if not months. A text scroll is what revealed that Christian and Lisa decided to protect the rapist. Now let me ask you: if you saw a toddler next door being brutally raped, would you just close your eyes and say: “well that’s their business, not mine?” Why would Lisa and Christian protect a child rapist so he could continue to groom and victimize new victims? How do we even know he hasn’t killed a victim since the time they have protected his anonymity?
As a follow-up, Lisa Ling should interview Bonnie Kaye who deals with the aftermath of failed marriages when gay husbands finally acknowledge their true sexual orientation and come out after having lied to themselves and their families for decades. This is the collateral damage created by religious organizations who convince gay men that they can be straight.
Good point Doug. I wish Lisa Ling had asked her audience regarding the two young (obviously gay) ex-gay recruits: How many of you would welcome either Christian or Ethan marrying your daughter?
Am I ever going to hear something good about Oprah relating to LGBT issues? I swear I’ve heard better things about Maury Povich, yeah, the guy who does the “man or woman” episodes.
I know Lisa di not go as far with the affirming stance some may have wanted. The target audience for her seems to be that average straight,family person and to THIS audience, I think it was challenging enough to NOT disengage them and keep them in the loop long enough to see Michael and The Naming Project.
I know of MANY GLBT Christians who had family conversations that otherwise would not have happened. It was a middle ground that I think was an unusual look at the health and good in the segment of GLBT Christians that are breaking away from the church message of “you must change.”
I wish GCN had been included and in particular the conference which would have been a HUGE contrast to Exodus “Freedom Conference.” Just my view from the place I sit and try to get traction.
Kathy,
Personally, I was not looking for Ling to be affirming. I was simply looking for her to report facts, not to repeat the unsubstantiated claims that the public has heard from Exodus since it rose to public fame in 1998. I mean, c’mon folks, that was 13 years ago.
I appreciated the attention given to TNP, but much of the crowd that Ling tried to bridge to, will view TNP as a band of pedophiles no matter what she says about them. In fact, Exodus already brands such groups as predators — something that Ling did not mention.
In a 90-minute program (two hours minus commercials) she could easily have included 2 minutes about the Exodus conference seminars and speakers who rally parents and pastors to discriminate, to oppose antibullying programs, to disrupt the relationships of their gay relatives, and to consider less-than-voluntary treatment at Exodus “ministries” in the South. She could have spent another 2 minutes on Janet Boynes’ active support for antigay bullying, defamation, and imprisonment.
Four minutes in a 90-minute show. That’s not too much to expect from someone who presents herself as a professional journalist.
Instead, during both the infotainment program and the call-in show that followed, she consciously excluded experts who could have warned about the politics of Boynes and of Exodus conferences. And she denied callers any opportunity whatsoever to engage with Janet Boynes. Why invite Boynes onto the call-in show if Boynes was unwilling to discuss any facts?
Maybe she will cover the other pieces in another documentary. Then you can once again make available to Lisa Ling some of your vast resources.
As someone who has been working on this topic for many years and is editing countless hours of footage down to a cohesive story-line and message on this topic, I can attest to the difficulty of navigating this issue with both sides of the divide and “getting it right” . Its not easy and Its not a 1 or 2 hour show it is a series in and of itself. I know I have been working on a film and a series myself for several years. This is tough topic and both-sides can be brutal to each other. This is not for the faint of heart. It is hard.
This is another opportunity to educate. Talk to Ling and others and instead of tearing it down and throwing out the baby with the bath water. Highlight the helpful pieces and build from there. Yes point out what was missing but also point out what was there. Constructive criticism is helpful. Turn her and others on to The American Prayer Hour and what is happening in Uganda because of some of these programs.
It is an education process and a new and wider audience is being exposed to it for the first time. Many of us have been in it for years and we know the landscape and the score. Many of us preach to the choir and maybe now there will be some new and unexpected audience members tuning in- but what are they going to tune into? Build on it don’t tear it all down- recognize the opportunity here. Some of the people who tuned in have never heard of any of this before believe it or not.
Make your voice strong, clear and positive. You’ll get more flies with honey and an opportunity to share the facts as you know them. Good luck.
Lisa, it sounds to me like Wayne did make his “vast resources” available and Ling ignored his offer. I find your comment a little disingenous. A 90 minute documentary and she couldn’t have presented some of the criticism of this group–couldn’t have offered a balanced view in that amount of time? Your comment makes me question your own judgment as well. And as far as “tearing down” Ling’s work–had she presented the facts rather than made an infomercial it wouldn’t be an issue.
Disingenuous? Well Daniel, I don’t think so?
But I did take a little inventory and came up with just a few of my heartfelt contributions to the “cause”
Warren Calls Bill “Unjust’, “Extreme’ and “Unchristian’
NEW YORK – Truth Wins Out thanked Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church, today for releasing a YouTube Statement condemning the “Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009? that is currently before the Ugandan Parliament. Lisa Darden, a talent agent and filmmaker working on a film about reconciling the Christian and GLBT communities, coordinated the statement with Warren’ church.
“We applaud Rick Warren for speaking out with force and clarity on a bill that would lead to the persecution and prosecution of gay and lesbian Ugandans,” said Wayne Besen, Executive Director of Truth Wins Out. “Today, Warren showed true moral courage and stood for what is right and just. We urge other leading pastors and world leaders to stand up and condemn Uganda’ Anti-Homosexuality Bill.”
http://www.truthwinsout.org/pressreleases/2009/12/5299/
James Dobson Rebuked By Acclaimed Professor Carol Gilligan For Distorting Her Research
In the video, filmed for Truth Wins Out by videographer Lisa Darden, Dr. Gilligan expressed her extreme displeasure with Dobson and how she was “mortified” by his use of her work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NHdSVknB5Q
In the video, filmed for Truth Wins Out by videographer Lisa Darden
Dr. Kyle Pruett: “James Dobson Twisted My Research”
http://respectmyresearch.org/scientists/dr-kyle-pruett-phd/
In the video, filmed for Truth Wins Out by videographer Lisa Darden
Dr. Robert Spitzer in his own words…
http://respectmyresearch.org/scientists/dr-robert-spitzer/
I’ve been in this “fray” for a while ( 20 years) and have interviewed many of the key players from both sides of the divide. I’ve been working on this project for about 4 years. I think even though Wayne might not be happy with my post today- He would agree that I’m well versed on this issue. Wayne and TWO seems to have appreciated some of my contributions on the issue.
Here’s Wayne’s thoughts about my upcoming Documentary “For Such A Time As this” that is in Post Production: He’s very sweet.
“Lisa Darden’s documentary is one of the most important and eagerly anticipated projects in the nation. She has explored every conceivable angle and adds a startling depth that surpasses other efforts I have encountered. Her knowledge of this subject matter is as impressive as the interviews she has filmed. I enthusiastically await what promises to be a show-stopping, conversation-starting production that will force people on all sides to take a fresh look at this issue and reevaluate strongly held assumptions. ‘For Such a Time as This’ will surely be a groundbreaking and historic moment in cinema.”
Wayne Besen
Executive Director, Truth Wins Out
Thanks Wayne- I hope so! But I gotta tell you ain’t been easy!
Peace and Love!! Be good to each other.
Lisa
[...] of Ling’s mistakes were prosaic, yet annoying, such as using the term “gay lifestyle”, even though the 1980’s have been over for quite some time. I’m surprised she didn’t regress [...]
Lisa Ling should have stayed in North Korea when she had the opportunity. Her journalism reporting really sucks big time. Poor thing:( You got to feel a little bit sorry for her. Maybe she needs the life style of having a girlfriend/lover? And Oprah? Don’t get me started on the Queen of Deception. She has a following larger than Jesus Christ. How come Lisa is not reporting on an American Christian group supporting the attempt by the Uganda government to impose the death penalty for homosexual acts? How come she and Oprah are not reporting on the gay genocide in Iraq that has been going on since 2004? How come she is not reporting on the fact that the Catholic leadership in Rome objected to U.N. intervention in Iraq to stop the genocide of gays? How come she is not reporting on the secret fundamentalist movement in the U.S. Federal Government and the U.S. Military? God’s Christian Army? Perhaps she is part of their movement, along with Oprah. Maybe it’s their life style.