Wayne Besen, a former spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign and the author of the Lammy-nominated book Anything But Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth, will provide an inside look at “ex-gay” ministries in a free lecture on Thursday, April 1 at 7 p.m. at King Avenue United Methodist Church (299 King Avenue).
Besen notes that “every leading medical and mental health organization says therapy designed to change a person’s sexual orientation is ineffective and can sometimes be dangerous.” Nevertheless, because of the prevalence of homophobia in our society, “ex-gay” groups continue to appeal to some lesbians and gay men who seek to avoid discrimination by attempting to change their sexual orientation. But, as Besen discusses, even leaders of “ex-gay” ministries have not been able to deny their “true selves.” He describes how the two men who founded the largest “ex-gay” organization subsequently denounced the group, divorced their wives, and held their own commitment ceremony. Part of what prompted Besen to write Anything But Straight was discovering that another spokesperson for the “ex-gay” movement was secretly patronizing a gay bar.
“Stonewall is excited to cosponsor this event,” stated Kate Anderson, Executive Director, “particularly at a time when ex-gay proponents, such as the religious right, are influencing conservative political leaders to legislate discrimination and attack our community.”
For a photo and biography of Wayne Besen or for more information about Anything But Straight, see http://www.AnythingButStraight.com.
