Students from at least three rural, mid-Michigan high schools participated in an event they dubbed “straight pride day” last Friday. And while the events were without disruptive incident, they were not without controversy or concern. Students, parents and school officials spoke to Michigan Messenger about the event in the days leading up to it.
Treyton Gregg, a 17-year-old junior at Laingsburg High School where the event was evidently centered, said he was worried about the event, particularly in light of how some of his peers responded to the estimated 50 student who participated in the Day of Silence event the previous week, an annual event when students protest anti-gay bigotry by staying silent for the day.
“I was called fag too many times to count,” says Gregg, a tinge of anger and hurt in his voice. “It bothered me. It hurt. These are people I’ve gone to school with for years.”
Asked if he had been called “fag” in the past, Gregg said he had, “but not so frequently.”
Read FULL STORY from Todd Heywood at The Michigan Messenger.
“The department’ position is that when you are ministering to a group or even an individual that the content of that not be defamatory or derogatory,” said John Cordell, a department spokesman. “We have shut down ministries in the past for doing just that [being defamatory or derogatory].”
Corduroy Stone, and its founder Mike Jones, have been under national scrutiny for months after 24-year-old Lansing resident Patrick McAlvey told the national organization Truth Wins Out of his experience with the ministry.
“I think it’ terrific they are looking further into this mess,” said Wayne Besen, Executive Director of Truth Wins Out. “Corduroy Stone doesn’t have the credibility to continue and is a threat to public health if allowed to continue.”
Ex-gay organization had been source of contention locally
By Todd A. Heywood 12/16/09 9:57 AM
LANSING — Gay rights advocates are lauding a split between the controversial Lansing-based ex-gay ministry Corduroy Stone and prominent ex-gay ministry group Exodus International.
“Exodus has removed their affiliation and the board of directors has dissolved. Now he’ just some guy,” said Patrick McAlvey, 24, who earlier this year told his story of dealing with Mike Jones and Corduroy Stone Ministries to the national organization Truth Wins Out.
“He’s not a mental health professional. He’ not a pastor,” McAlvey said of Jones, a retired Michigan State University employee. “He’ just some guy with made-up theories and outlandish techniques claiming he can help people change their sexual orientation. He is dangerous and I hope people steer clear of this predator.”
Students from at least three rural, mid-Michigan high schools participated in an event they dubbed “straight pride day” last Friday. And while the events were without disruptive incident, they were not without controversy or concern. Students, parents and school officials spoke to Michigan Messenger about the event in the days leading up to it.
