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Posted August 2nd, 2011 by Wayne Besen
A petition launched on Change.org by Truth Wins Out and Dan Choi calling on Hong Kong’s government to drop its support for “ex-gay” quack therapist Hong Kwai-wah has reached 20,104 signatures.
Hong Kong’s Social Welfare Department recently held a workshop for its staff led by Hong Kwai-wah who claims he can “cure” LGBT people by having them take cold showers. The effort to infiltrate Hong Kong’s government and promote anti-gay ideology is spearheaded by Canada-based Exodus Global Alliance and United States-based Exodus International.
“The government of Hong Kong may want our efforts to disappear, but it is clear our momentum is only intensifying,” said Truth Wins Out’s Executive Director Wayne Besen. “We thank those who have signed our petition and urge people to pass it along to friends and family members. Every signature helps us draw attention to the dangers of ‘ex-gay’ therapy.”
The spotlight on this situation is growing, with a planned demonstration in front of the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office. The protest will take place in New York and is led by the Gay Asian Pacific Islander Men of New York (GAPIMNY), Queer, Asian, Visible Empowered (Q-WAVE) and the International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC). The rally will include a regimen of prayer and cold showers, by staging a “shower-in.”
Where: Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office; 115 East 54th Street, New York, NY 10022
When: Sunday, August 7th, 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
“Truth Wins Out strongly urges its members and supporters in the New York City region to participate in this demonstration,” said John Becker, TWO’s Director of Communications and Development. “We have the power to right this wrong in Hong Kong — but only if we stand up and speak out.”
The American Psychiatric Association, The American Academy of Pediatrics, The American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association all say that there is no evidence to support the efficacy of so-called “ex-gay” therapy and attempts to change sexual orientation can be psychologically harmful. The Hong Kong organization Rainbow Action got the ball rolling with a protest of the Hong Kong Social Welfare Department and is leading efforts in Hong Kong on this issue.
Posted June 30th, 2011 by Wayne Besen
Last week, Lt. Dan Choi and Truth Wins Out launched an online petition on Change.org to end Hong Kong’s sponsorship of “ex-gay therapy.” In the past 48 hours, momentum has gathered with thousands of supporters signing and giving us 15,000 signatures.
We need your help to push us over the edge and reach 20,000 signatures today. If you have already signed our petition we thank you, but please consider sending it to friends and asking them to sign too. If you have not signed, please consider doing so now.
We launched this petition after Hong Kong’s government hired “gay cure” therapist Hong Kwai-wah. The controversial therapist claims he can “cure” LGBT people through cold showers, prayer, and abstinence.
The effort to infiltrate Hong Kong’s government and promote anti-gay ideology has been spearheaded by Canada-based Exodus Global Alliance and United States-based Exodus International. Exodus has been spreading its fundamentalist “ex-gay” doctrine overseas for some time — as it did in Uganda, encouraging advocates of the notorious “Kill the Gays” bill to criminalize homosexuality. Truth Wins Out released a comprehensive report this week — How Radical American Christian Sects Are Invading Hong Kong and Beyond — produced by researcher Bruce Wilson, detailing extensive efforts by American extremists to evangelize Hong Kong.
Hong Kong’s hiring of Hong Kwai-wah is the tip of the iceberg. If we don’t take a stand now and stop this madness, the efforts to infiltrate Hong Kong and spread a radical, hate-filled ideology will only intensify.
“It is shocking that Hong Kong would risk its reputation as an international business and cultural center by hiring a therapist with such disturbing views,” said Dan Choi. “Hong Kong should move decisively to restore its honor and dignity by removing Hong Kwai-wah. The world is watching and taking note of this embarrassing travesty.”
Please stand up and join Dan Choi and Truth Wins Out in fighting efforts to spread “ex-gay” therapy worldwide. Together, we can make a difference and stop these dangerous efforts.
Posted June 30th, 2011
 Campaign led by Dan Choi and Truth Wins Out to end Hong Kong’s sponsorship of “ex-gay therapy” gathers thousands of supporters over 48 hours; Organization behind “gay cure” iPhone app continues to spread anti-gay doctrine overseas
WASHINGTON, DC – A petition calling on the Hong Kong government to drop “gay cure” therapist Hong Kwai-wah — who claims he can “cure” LGBT people through cold showers, prayer, and abstinence — has reached more than 17,500 signatures in the last 48 hours, signaling momentum for the campaign started on Change.org by gay rights advocates Dan Choi and Truth Wins Out.
The petition has taken off on Change.org following news that Hong Kong’s Social Welfare Department recently held a workshop for its staff led by Hong Kwai-wah. Hong Kong’s endorsement of discredited “ex-gay therapy” and psychologist Hong Kwai-wah prompted Choi — a West Point graduate, combat veteran, and a leading voice in the campaign to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” — to work with Truth Wins Out to ask Hong Kong to end its sponsorship of “ex-gay therapy” and its promoters.
“It is shocking that Hong Kong would risk its reputation as an international business and cultural center by hiring a therapist with such disturbing views,” said Choi. “Hong Kong should move decisively to restore its honor and dignity by removing Hong Kwai-wah. The world is watching and taking note of this embarrassing travesty.”
The effort to infiltrate Hong Kong’s government and promote anti-gay ideology has been spearheaded by Canada-based Exodus Global Alliance and United States-based Exodus International. Exodus International is the same organization behind the “ex-gay” iPhone app recently removed from Apple’s iTunes store after more than 150,000 Truth Wins Out and Change.org members petitioned the technology company. Exodus has been spreading its fundamentalist anti-gay doctrine overseas for some time — as it did in Uganda, encouraging advocates of the notorious “Kill the Gays” bill to criminalize homosexuality.
“Ex-gay therapy is rejected by all respected medical and mental health organizations across the world,” said Truth Wins Out’s Wayne Besen. “It is appalling that Hong Kong would allow American fundamentalist Christians to infiltrate and bring great shame and dishonor. It is time for the good people of Hong Kong to stand up and not allow themselves to be exploited by America’s most notorious religious zealots.”
Truth Wins Out released a comprehensive report this week — How Radical American Christian Sects Are Invading Hong Kong and Beyond — produced by researcher Bruce Wilson, detailing extensive efforts by American extremists to evangelize Hong Kong.
“The hiring of Hong Kwai-wah is the tip of the iceberg,” said Besen. “If we don’t take a stand now and stop the Social Welfare Department, the efforts to infiltrate Hong Kong and spread a radical, hate-filled ideology will only intensify.”
Rainbow Action, a Hong Kong-based organization, protested the Hong Kong Social Welfare Department last week to draw international attention to the issue. After a concerned citizen wrote the Social Welfare Department, he received a bizarre reply that wrongly equated “ex-gay” conversion therapy with more reputable therapy.
“We consider that knowledge from multiple perspectives is essential for social workers to make professional, comprehensive and independent assessment on their cases and to address the specific needs of individual clients,” responded Gloria Lee of the Social Welfare Department. “In this connection, the Department has adopted an open and impartial attitude in organising training activities for the professional development of our social workers.”
“The Social Welfare Department’s reaction to the controversy is entirely inadequate and unacceptable. This is the equivalent of the tobacco industry infiltrating the health system and portraying the ‘health benefits’ of smoking as just another perspective,” said TWO’s Besen. “It is grossly irresponsible for the Social Welfare Department to embrace a form of dangerous, religious therapy that harms clients and ruins lives.”
The American Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association and American Psychological Association are all on record in stating that there is no evidence to support the efficacy of so-called “ex-gay” therapy and attempts to change sexual orientation can be psychologically harmful.
View Dan Choi’s petition to the Hong Kong Social Welfare Department (including current signature total): https://www.change.org/petitions/tell-hong-kongs-social-welfare-department-end-sponsorship-of-ex-gay-therapy
Dan Choi is a West Point graduate, combat veteran, and proud son of immigrants. He was a leading voice in the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. http://www.ltdanchoi.com
Truth Wins Out is a non-profit organization that fights anti-LGBT religious extremism and the “ex-gay” myth. TWO specializes in turning information into action by organizing, advocating and fighting for LGBT equality. http://www.truthwinsout.org
Change.org is the world’s fastest-growing platform for social change — growing by more than 300,000 new members a month, and empowering millions of people to start, join, and win campaigns for social change in their community, city and country. http://www.change.org
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Posted June 21st, 2011 by Wayne Besen
 Truth Wins Out and Dan Choi launched a petition on Change.org today calling on Hong Kong’s government to drop its support for “ex-gay” quack therapist Hong Kwai-wah. Hong Kong’s Social Welfare Department recently held a workshop for its staff led by Hong Kwai-wah who claims he can “cure” LGBT people by having them take cold showers. The effort to infiltrate Hong Kong’s government and promote anti-gay ideology is spearheaded by Canada-based Exodus Global Alliance and United States-based Exodus International.
“When I came out to my parents, I did so because integrity is the most important character trait we can leave future generations,” wrote Choi in the petition. “Saving face is only possible by telling the truth. Join me and Truth Wins Out in signing this important petition to stop ‘ex-gay’ lies in Asia and beyond.”
“Scandal-prone ‘ex-gay’ programs have become a joke in the West, so these charlatans are exporting their scientifically-bankrupt theories overseas,” said Truth Wins Out’s Executive Director Wayne Besen. “As they opportunistically look for new global markets to exploit, we will put a cold shower on these fraudulent efforts. There is not a single acre on the map in which these slippery groups can hide from our work to spotlight and expose their quack therapies.”
Send the Social Welfare Department a message now, urging them to end their humiliating and dangerous partnership with Hong Kwai-wah, and to apologize for legitimizing the dangerous and discredited practice of “curing” LGBT people. This petition will also send a message to Exodus Global Alliance and Exodus International telling these noxious groups to stop exporting anti-gay misinformation across the globe.
By signing this petition, we can put a cold shower on ridiculous “ex-gay” lies in Asia and beyond.
Posted June 21st, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Wayne Besen
Phone: 917-691-5118
Web: www.TruthWinsOut.org
Quack Therapist ‘Cures’ LGBT People With Cold Showers
 BURLINGTON,Vt. – Truth Wins Out and Dan Choi launched a petition on Change.org today calling on Hong Kong’s government to drop its support for “ex-gay” quack therapist Hong Kwai-wah. Hong Kong’s Social Welfare Department recently held a workshop for its staff led by Hong Kwai-wah who claims he can “cure” LGBT people by having them take cold showers. The effort to infiltrate Hong Kong’s government and promote anti-gay ideology is spearheaded by Canada-based Exodus Global Alliance and United States-based Exodus International.
In today’s action, Dan Choi urges people to sign the petition and condemns Western efforts to export “ex-gay” therapy.
“When I came out to my parents, I did so because integrity is the most important character trait we can leave future generations,” wrote Choi in the petition. “Saving face is only possible by telling the truth. Join me and Truth Wins Out in signing this important petition to stop ‘ex-gay’ lies in Asia and beyond.”
“Scandal-prone ‘ex-gay’ programs have become a joke in the West, so these charlatans are exporting their scientifically-bankrupt theories overseas,” said Truth Wins Out’s Executive Director Wayne Besen. “As they opportunistically look for new global markets to exploit, we will put a cold shower on these fraudulent efforts. There is not a single acre on the map in which these slippery groups can hide from our work to spotlight and expose their quack therapies.”
The American Psychiatric Association, The American Academy of Pediatrics, The American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association all say that there is no evidence to support the efficacy of so-called “ex-gay” therapy and attempts to change sexual orientation can be psychologically harmful. The Hong Kong organization Rainbow Action protested the Hong Kong Social Welfare Department last week to draw international attention to the issue.
Dan Choi is a West Point graduate, combat veteran, and proud son of immigrants. He was a leading voice in the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. His website is www.ltdanchoi.com
Truth Wins Out is a non-profit organization that fights anti-LGBT religious extremism and the “ex-gay” myth. TWO specializes in turning information into action by organizing, advocating and fighting for LGBT equality.
Posted June 18th, 2011 by Wayne Besen
Hong Kong’s government has hired quack psychiatrist Hong Kwai-wah to “re-wire” LGBT people through cold showers and prayer. Hong Kwai-wah is chairman of the New Creation Association, which is directly linked to North American organizations Exodus International and Exodus Global Alliance.
“Scandal-prone ‘ex-gay’ programs have become a joke in the West, so these charlatans are exporting their scientifically-bankrupt theories overseas,” said Truth Wins Out’s Executive Director Wayne Besen. “As they opportunistically look for new global markets to exploit, we will put a cold shower on these fraudulent efforts. There is not a single acre on the map in which these slippery groups can hide from our work to spotlight and expose their quack therapies.”
The link to North American groups is robust and incontrovertible. On its website, the Canadian-based Exodus Global Alliance writes:
Kelvin and Tammy are the directors of New Creation Ministries. They say, “We are thankful for the encouragement from Dr. Melvin Wong, Anita and Frank Worthen, Jenny Li, Dr. Kwai-wah Hong, and Exodus Global Alliance. Thank God! He sees the needs of the gay community in Hong Kong and He prepares the hearts of the workers. We believe God will accomplish the works that He has begun.” May God bring new hope to those who want to become free from sexual addiction and bondage.
According to news reports, the Hong Kong Social Welfare Department issued a statement saying it presents a variety of viewpoints to staff members and that it has had gay rights advocates speak to the department in the past.
“Apparently, promoting harmful therapy rejected by every mainstream medical and mental health association in the world is considered a ‘viewpoint,’” said TWO’s Wayne Besen. “In truth, the Hong Kong Social Welfare Department is disgracefully promoting anti-gay propaganda that that is harmful and ineffective.”
Posted July 22nd, 2010 by Wayne Besen
Fridae.com’s Hong Kong correspondent, Nigel Collett, meets the Reverend Steve Parelli and his partner José Ortiz, of the US NGO Other Sheep, to find out.
If you are attracted to members of the same sex, and you aren’t happy about it, can you change? The answer is, of course, answered in ringing affirmatives by the advocates of ‘reparative therapy’, the ‘ex-gay’ movement which has spread from the US through Christian groups to many parts of the world, including Hong Kong. The movement claims (or seems to claim; more of that later) that turning to God, the exercise of will and the alteration of behaviour patterns to conform to traditional gender roles will enable a person to change his or her sexual orientation.
These claims have never been scientifically substantiated.
Read Full Article Here
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