Obscene Love–The Ex-Gay Way?
At Beyond Ex-Gay Christine and I received a shocking message from ex-gay leader Anthony Falzarano. He is the founder of PFOX (Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays). He wrote to contact Darlene Bogle, a former Exodus leader and an ex-gay survivor who last year offered a public apology for her previous
Women & the Ex-Gay Movement
This Thursday, in a conference call open to the public, Darlene Bogle and Christine Bakke will share their experiences as lesbians in the Ex-Gay Movement. For a while I have been considering how the Ex-Gay Movement is an anti-fem movement. Most of the participants in it are male with curriculum
Homophobia-It’s Not Only About the Queers
I have the privilege of speaking in middle schools and high schools in various places in the US, the UK and Europe. When I meet with a group of high school students (ages 14+), I typically perform my play Queer 101-Now I Know My gAy,B,Cs. This one-person, multi-character comedy explores
Religious Bigots Gussied Up in Secular Scientific Clothing
The National Association for the Research and Treatment of Homosexuality (with its sinister sounding acronym NARTH), purports to provide a secular and scientific approach to their work. They offer reparative therapy–those pesky treatment plans with high hopes and false claims to straighten out the gays (which never seem to work
Being Special in the Ex-Gay Movement-and sex at church!
Anyone remember Burger King’s big ad campaign a few years back? Hold the pickle. Hold the lettuce. Special orders don’t upset us. In their attempts to position themselves in the fast food market, BK encouraged customers to “have it your way.” Being a vegan, I am the queen of special
Beyond Ex-Gay is Having its First Birthday!
On April 2, 2007 Christine Bakke and I launched Beyond Ex-Gay and announced the 2007 Ex-Gay Survivor Conference. We’re taking a few minutes to share the BXG love and look at all that’s been accomplished: June 20, 2007: Beyond Ex-Gay (bXg) and Soulforce invite Exodus leaders to dinner. June 27,
Ex-Gay Harm–Let Me Count the Ways
(NOTE FROM PAM: In his other diary, Peterson notes that Beyond Ex-Gay is celebrating its first birthday. Props to BXG for working toward positive change.) In the past 4.5 years I have been in contact with over 1000 ex-gay survivors. These are people who pursued ex-gay experiences, either on their
Talkin’ Trash about John Smid of Love in Action
Shortly after I reported that John Smid had resigned from Love in Action, lots of folks have speculated as to the reasons. We may know soon enough. Yesterday evening I heard from someone who had read the letter that went out to supporters announcing John’s resignation, who told me it
Videos revealing the secret world of Love in Action
I spent about two years in Love in Action, a residential ex-gay program in Memphis, TN that offered “freedom from homosexuality through Jesus Christ.” They not deliver, and the costs incurred were colossal. Not just the money, but the dreadful toll on my family and me. This video playfully looks
Deconstructing the Ex-Gay Myth–A Weekend of Action & Art
Just when you thought it was safe to go out for some down home Memphis BBQ Tofu Nachos… On February 23, 2008 Colorado-based Focus on the Family and Florida-based Exodus International will set up shop with their Love Won Out (LWO) conference in Memphis, TN. (well near Memphis; they prefer