Category Archives: Ex-gay

Second Annual Ex-Gay Awareness Month to Feature Fmr. Ambassador Alan Keyes

For the second consecutive year, conservative groups will be observing a month dedicated to spreading awareness of and support for those who formerly identified as homosexual. Known as ex-gay awareness month, the observance will feature events in Washington, D.C. on Friday and Saturday.

Organized by Voice of the Voiceless, an organization that advocates for the rights of former homosexuals, events will include honoring those who are supportive of the ex-gay community, as well as lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill.

Christopher Doyle, president of VoV, told The Christian Post on Tuesday that events will also include workshops and a showing of the film “Sing Over Me.”

Doyle told CP that he believes support for the ex-gay community has improved since last October, with the failure of legislation aimed at criminalizing conversion therapy for minors.

“We have stopped 14 bills in state legislatures across the country that have tried to ban therapy for minors,” Doyle asserted. “People have been telling their stories in much greater number and veracity than last year, when we were reeling from the closure of Exodus International.”

Parents and friends of ex-gays are also helping to organize events for the two-day conference on ex-gay awareness.

Two awards, one for an individual who came out as ex-gay and one for an individual who has defended the ex-gay community, will be handed out on Saturday.

Regina Griggs, executive director of PFOX, told CP that this observance “is a chance to provide support to ex-gays and their families as well as to educate the public and our elected officials.”

“The message is certainly getting out that ex-gays exist and that change is possible. At the same time, ex-gays still face those who doubt their existence,” Griggs added.

“PFOX has a long history of supporting the ex-gay community and educating the public. And conferences like this continue to raise awareness of the ex-gay community and the positive message that change is possible.”

Over the past couple years, controversy surrounding the ex-gay community and sexual orientation change therapy, have garnered large scale attention.

In the months leading up to the first ex-gay awareness month held last October, California and New Jersey passed laws criminalizing sexual orientation change therapy for minors.

Also Exodus International, at one time the largest ex-gay ministry in the United States, closed its doors in June 2013 with its last president issuing a public apology to the LGBT community.

Featured speakers for the two-day ex-gay awareness observance in Washington will include Alan Keyes, former ambassador and presidential candidate; Peter Sprigg, senior fellow for policy studies at Family Research Council; and Sandy Rios, director of government relations for American Family Radio Talk and vice president of Family Pac Federal.

Sponsors for this year’s event include the Liberty Counsel, Family Research Council, American Family Association and Defend Life, among others.

http://www.christianpost.com/news/second-annual-ex-gay-awareness-month-to-feature-fmr-ambassador-alan-keyes-127283/

Voice of the Voiceless Offers Time Magazine SOCE Aid

TO: Time Magazine

FROM: Voice of the Voiceless, Ex-gay Truth

SUBJECT: Opinion article, ‘My Hellish Youth in Gay Conversion Therapy and How I Got Out’, July 15th 2014 by James Guay

  Upon our review, Time has touted an unqualified, unsubstantiated, unbalanced and biased opinion piece intended to undermine the mental health of same-sex attracted (SSA) patients and their therapists to favor a political agenda by intentionally implying that Sexual Orientation Change Efforts (SOCE) are completely ineffective and harmful. By the American Psychological Association’s own standards, this propagandist claim remains scientifically unproven, relying solely on scant claims by a few individuals[1]. Such claims run in complete contradiction of subject matter experts.[2]

   Time Magazine undermines its journalistic credibility in editorially publishing unsubstantiated and biased claims. Firstly, Mr. Guay claims to have been treated by two psychological professionals who are never named and therefore not substantiated. Time intentionally allowed these allegations to go unchecked and unchallenged. Secondly, Time intentionally permits the notion that any Behavioral Cognitive Therapy must be 100% successful to be scientifically valid, which is not true of any standardized and scientifically accepted treatment (CBT = therapy success rate):

Disorder                                          Author (year)                 Number of Studies           CBT
Boderline PersonalityDisorder Ipser et al. (2009)                           2                           82%

Panic disorder                              Siev et al. (2008)                                5                           77%
Anger/Aggression                        Del Vecchio & O’Leary (2004)     23                     66–69%
Depression                                     Leichsenring (2001)                          6                      51–87%
Childhood Anxiety                        James et al. (2005)                         13                           56%
Chronic Fatigue                            Malouff et al. (2008)                         5                           50%
Personality Disorders            Leichsenring & Leibing (2003)        25                         47%

Generalized Anxiety Disorder       Hunot et al. (2007)                      8                          46%

Chronic Fatigue                                Price et al. (2008)                          6                           40%
Bulimia Nervosa                        Thompson-Brenner (2003)            26                      40–44%
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder     Eddy et al. (2004)                       3                       38–50%

(‘The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Review of Meta-analyses’ Table 1 – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3584580/table/T1/ Stefan G. Hofmann, Ph.D., Anu Asnaani, M.A., Imke J.J. Vonk, M.A., Alice T. Sawyer, M.A., and Angela Fang, M.A.)

Thirdly, the most important component of successful behavior change is a true desire for change which appears highly suspect in Mr. Guay’s case. One who seeks relief from unwanted anxiety issues does not turn around and campaign in favor of anxiety when they fail to successfully address those feelings as Mr. Guay is doing with his failed SOCE efforts. This is acutely highlighted in Mr. Guay’s own patient testimonies, which bizarrely fail to cite one single patient success but instead focus on either their personal “friendship” with Mr. Guay or their support of his LBGT efforts, or both, though we are greatly pleased that Heather Dawn found having Mr. Guay in her yoga class a pleasant experience:

(*Source – James Guay’s, “Living More Fully” Patient Testimonials (http://livingmorefully.com/testimonials/))

Susanne Johnson, LPC
“I have known James for a long time. He has a great deal of compassion for others and is able to connect on a deep level with those he works with. James has been brilliantly instrumental at influencing change in his community. He goes beyond the limits of his office to support the change needed to make life better for his clients and everyone else. He is the real thing; a natural. I would, without question, refer clients to him.”

Markus Dobler, LMFT
“I have known James as a professional colleague for many years. His role and tremendous engagement in many of the modern day civil right struggles for the LGBTQI community have always impressed me tremendously. With absolute dedication and fierce selflessness he worked very hard (and continues to work hard) to push for long overdue changes that ultimately improve the lives of the community. His contributions in the fight against SOCE (sexual orientation change efforts – also more colloquially known as reparative therapy) have not only improved the lives of many young LGBTQI kids; they may now very well save their lives. Marriage equality was also an issue that James fought for with absolute dedication and conviction. The community – and, of course, James’ private practice clients – can consider themselves to be very fortunate to have such a principled fighter for the just causes that he has tackled. It is without any reservation that I would recommend James Guay to any potential client. The sensibilities and dedication that James has shown in his public struggles and fights will doubtless be equally present in the therapeutic work he does.”

Domenic Ali, DPAli, PhD, MSW
“I’ve known james for some time and I find him one of the most compassionate people i’ve ever met. He cares deeply about others and their right to exist as individuals while also supporting their wishes to find ways to contribute to the world. Psychotherapy is a perfect profession for him and I’m so glad he has been successful. As a retired therapist myself, I would not hesitate in referring clients to him.”

Christian Schizzel
“I had the honor of working with James Guay in the recent past. His sincerity and compassion are phenomenal tools which greatly influenced my ability to overcome difficult circumstances. I am a better person for having had the pleasure of connecting with him and hold him in high regards, especially as I see him reach out to assist those n his community. He is a phenomenal gentleman!”

Heather Dawn, Yoga Instructor
“James Guay is a compassionate, patient, insightful and authentic person. He is completely checked in to his own self care and the caring of others, which is imperative for any good healer, like James. He is passionate about both traditional and alternative therapies as it pertains to health and well-being, enhancing his already open heart and mind. I have had the pleasure of having James in my yoga class, as well as in depth discussions with him about life. If ever you need someone to listen to you…perhaps give you a different perspective on your life..or just a little compassionate resonance, James is your guy.”

Chris Hyde
“James is beautiful person who exudes care, understanding, compassion, and empathy. His experience and wisdom provide him much to share with his clients. I highly recommend him as someone to go to for compassionate care and healing on your journey!”

Michael Bussee, Retired LMFT
“A man of integrity and sensitivity. I would recommend him to anyone in need of competent, caring and professional help.”

Jarrett Baker-Wilkinson
“I am always psychologicaly inspired by the posts from James@LivingMoreFully. Working with James Guay, LMFT, can help anyone discover their most authentic self.”

Marianne Gentile Comstock
“I have known James for quite a few years and he is always as he seems – caring, empathetic and generous with his time and his wisdom. He is a fearless fighter for civil equality. His energy is amazing and he has an innate ability to connect emotionally and spiritually with those he serves. If we are to ever reach true, complete equality for all in our nation, it will happen because of professionals like James.”

Jerry Reiter
“James Guay is a very intelligent and sensitive counselor. He is a great listener and a very wise man. I like the way he makes you feel safe sharing anything on your mind.”

 
In response, Voice of the Voiceless offers Time Magazine the opportunity of professional, experienced and scientifically factual commentary on the subject of SOCE to ensure your journalistic integrity and balance rather than trumpeting a few cherry picked stories of failure which give a false and easily disprovable innuendo.

[1] “Although sound data on the safety of SOCE are extremely limited, some individuals reported being harmed by SOCE.” ‘Resolution on Appropriate Affirmative Responses to Sexual Orientation Distress and Change Efforts’ http://www.apa.org/about/policy/sexual-orientation.aspx
[2] “The authors of the most methodologically rigorous study ever conducted on persons seeking to change from a homosexual orientation looked for evidence of harm using standardized measures of “psychological dis-tress,”21 “spiritual well-being,”22 and “faith maturity.”23 They concluded, “We found no empirical evidence in this study to support the claim that the attempt to change sexual orientation is harmful.”24 Joseph Nicolosi, A. Dean Byrd, Richard W. Potts, “Retrospective self-reports of changes in homosexual orientation: A consumer survey of conversion therapy clients,” Psychological Reports 86, pp. 1071-88; cited in Phelan, et al., p. 42.

 

Why Texas Matters: Affirming Therapy Equality a necessary protection for EXLGBT Americans

Texas Resolution

The fight for therapy equality and affirming equal access to counseling options in Texas is no longer just a dream thanks to the courageous actions of the Texas Republican Party. As a native Texan and a 24 year EXLGBT American, Im elated to write about it.

Johnathan Saenz of Texas Values Action told KERA News, “Texas Republicans want to make clear: If a parent wants to take their child and have a discussion with a counselor about their questions about sexuality, they should have the freedom to do that.”

The resolution reads in part:
“…we oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction, or belief in traditional values. We recognize the legitimacy and value of counseling which offers reparative therapy and treatment to patients who are seeking escape from the homosexual lifestyle…”

Bucking the trend to punish citizens who seek counseling for unwanted same sex attractions —and the professionals who want to help them— the Texas GOP took an unusual step and voted to affirm therapy equality. The move would have made African American Texas GOP pioneer Norris Wright Cuney (1846-1898) proud. When Cuney and other African Americans were building the party in Texas, passion to build a better social and economic future for African Americans was the catalyst that birthed their innovative drive. At that time, there existed no promises of “affirmative action” to lull them into complacency. What they did face was the consistent attacks of the Democrat-led Klan who conspired at every turn to block access to the well being of black American citizens.

There was strong and widespread support for passage of the resolution among Texas conservatives, perhaps fed up with the anti-American actions of liberals who continue to deny rights and suppress hope for potential millions of Americans seeking avenues to change sexual and emotional dysfunctions. Rape, molestation and sexual abuse have been at the root of much sexual confusion. The New Jersey legislation was dubbed the “Jerry Sandusky Victimization Act”, because opponents contended it would prevent victims of abuse and molestation who subsequently developed homosexual inclinations, from getting much needed counseling.

Equality Matters

Much of the therapy discrimination is based on nonscientific political posturing. To date, there has been no recognizable scientific evidence or research demonstrating that therapy (or ministry) to individuals seeking change from homosexuality is harmful or ineffective.

American citizens who seek therapy and ministry options to help them live out their identity has been under attack. In California and New Jersey, unnecessarily punitive laws have been passed depriving hurting parents of the opportunity to help their OWN children get professional counseling to overcome unwanted same gender sexual desires. In nine other states, serious attempts have been made to deprive tax-paying Americans of the freedom to seek ssa counseling.

The driving force behind this historic move was Jeremy Schwab of Dallas, himself a beneficiary of therapy and counseling. He’s taken a more proactive, positive role in fighting discrimination against EXLGBT Americans.

Schwab found that necessity was the mother of activism.

“Activists have drafted a bill to be introduced in all 50 states which will ban or severely restrict access to Reparative Therapy and all other SOCE (Sexual Orientation Change Efforts) including religious counseling. A similar bill is currently under review in the British Parliament which goes much further,” he said.

Said Schwab, “After California and New Jersey passed these laws last year, I began reaching out to Republican State Legislators and State Senators to discuss the law. In Washington State, the bill flew through their House without any opposition from Republicans, but once we talked with the GOP state senators and they came to understand the full story, they stood up and blocked this awful bill. The same has been the case now for eleven other states.

In each case, it took significant efforts to educate GOP legislators and rally grassroots support before their GOP lawmakers realized the importance of this issue to religious freedom. Since this bill is being introduced in all 50 states, it is a critical and unique addition to the State GOP which is not fully covered by the current language.”

That’s why what happened in Texas matters. State legislatures must understand that its immoral to enshrine into law deprivation of therapy equality. No American should have to go day after day tortured and suicidal because he or she has been told there are no options and no choices for them. LGBT Americans have the freedom to seek counseling to affirm their homosexual behavior and its big business. The San Francisco based Gaylesta, a “GLBTQ Psychotherapy Association” lists some 250 mental health professionals available to homosexuals. Why are EXGLBT Americans treated differently? Why give some unlimited options for personal happiness but deprive others of even one hopeful avenue of change? Why is the fate of their happiness and the happiness of their families placed in the hands of people who despise them? Aren’t all Americans guaranteed the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?

This isn’t empty complaining, but the stark reality that in America homosexual activists are pursuing legal tools to punish people who simply want freedom from a crippling sexual and emotional condition.

Pastor Darryl L. (DL) Foster is the Co-Founder of Voice of the Voiceless and an ordained minister, husband, father, and self-described abolitionist pastor. In 1990, he left homosexuality to follow Christ and subsequently founded Witness Ministries, Inc. a prominent Christian outreach focused on helping people of color gain their freedom in Christ. In 2010, he also founded and organized the Overcomers Network, an Atlanta based EXGLBT empowerment organization with chapters in 18 US cities.

PUBLIC STATEMENT AND REQUEST FOR FORMAL CLARIFICATION BY MOZILLA CORPORATION REGARDING THE RESIGNATION OF CEO BRENDAN EICH

PUBLIC STATEMENT AND REQUEST FOR FORMAL CLARIFICATION BY MOZILLA CORPORATION REGARDING THE RESIGNATION OF CEO BRENDAN EICH

Update: Read the article on LifeSiteNews.com by clicking here

Date: 04/04/14

 

To:  Mozilla Corporation

 

In review of the recent circumstances which resulted in the resignation of Brendan Eich as CEO of Mozilla Corporation significant concerns of a large number of individuals and businesses have been raised.  Those affected include organizations comprised and representative of those individuals who have changed or seek to change their sexual preference, their supporters and supporting businesses, and individuals and businesses supporting Mozilla and supporting or participating Mozilla employees.  Upon review of details reported in the press and statements made both during and after Mr. Eich’s resignation by Mozilla, our organizations have made the following observations and conclusions:

WHEREAS – Mozilla touts an inclusive, safe environment embracing and defending diversity within its organization, it contrarily allowed for a workplace environment so hostile to Mr. Eich as to pressure him into resignation.

WHEREAS – Mozilla touts inclusiveness within its business, it inappropriately uses personal and private opinions, including non-work related activities, as a justification to allow for a hostile workplace environment in support of internal populist politics and to punish employees for their rightful participation in matters of public policy.

WHEREAS – Mozilla defends the notion of diversity, Mozilla Corporate has clearly taken sides against the American public and an unknown number of Mozilla employees on an issue for which other corporations, such as Cisco and Bank of America, have publicly stated they will ensure employee rights to their own opinion and protect their participation on matters of public policy while maintaining a safe and diverse workplace.  Mozilla has clearly failed in this regard.

WHEREAS – Workplace diversity is commonly accepted to refer to important personal traits such as race, religion, origin, physical ability or disability and ethnicity, Mozilla has opted to inappropriately include in their workplace the irrelevant and often fluid private issue of sexual proclivities making for a hostile working environment for those privately struggling with, objecting to certain behaviors or in the process of changing their personal sexual identity.

WHEREAS – the voting majority of the United States and the majority of nations hosting Mozilla operations have made clear their position on the public policy matter of so-called ‘gay’ marriage, Mozilla has taken an opposing position to their host nations and the voting majority of the US, thus a huge segment of their customers and an unknown number of its own employees.  The opinion of the American public in this regard was made clear in the unprecedented public reaction to incidents with Chick-Fil-A and A&E networks for which Mozilla seems determined to form a trio.

WHEREAS – Brendan Eich has been, and will go down in history as, an individual who has made rarely equaled contributions to society through technological advancement, Mozilla as a technology company appears to be making the statement that improving lives through technology is no longer their primary mission as it permits a workplace hostile to the talent making that mission possible.

WHEREAS – Mozilla’s allowance of this workplace hostility and the loss of Brendan Eich over a minor partisan political issue a priority over their purpose and mission – users, customers, investors and dependent businesses of Mozilla products would seem to want to question the reliability of Mozilla and their invested dependence on Mozilla products.

 

IN CONCLUSION – We, our members, supporters and supporting businesses call for Mozilla to make a clear statement to its employees as to whether this incident is a dog whistle to all pro-marriage, pro-family, pro-life and religious employees and talent to vacate the company or will Mozilla ensure a truly diverse and safe workplace environment for them.

IN CONCLUSION – We, our members, supporters and supporting businesses call for Mozilla to make a public statement to all of its pro-marriage, pro-family, pro-life and religious investors, users, supporters, personal and business customers as to whether Mozilla holds a discriminatory intent toward doing business with them based on their public policy participation or positions on those policies.

 

SIGNING ORGANIZATIONS:

 

-SEE BELOW-

SIGNED:

VOICE OF THE VOICELESS

CENTER FOR MARRIAGE POLICY

DAVID H. PICKUP, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

A-GATE SPRINGHEAD UK

MISSION AMERICA

Chaplain GORDON JAMERS KLINGENSCHMITT, Ph.D., ‘THE PRAY IN JESUS NAME PROJECT’

AFTAH

GABRIELE KUBY, Author

ANDRE VILLENUEVE, Ph.D. John Vianney Seminary

PARENTS AND FRIENDS OF GAYS AND EX-GAYS (PFOX)

HOMOSEXUALS ANONYMOUS

A-GATE UK

JASON – INTERNATIONAL EX-GAY MINISTRY

JONAH INTERNATIONAL

CATHOLICS FOR ISRAEL

HELP4FAMILIES

GAYMARRIAGENOTHANKS UK

PARAKALEO MINISTRY UK

BTS FACHGESELLSCHAFT für PSYCHOLOGIE und SEELSORGEE gGmbH, Germany

THE OVERCOMERS NETWORK

DR. ROBERT GAGNON, Ph.D

RESTORED HOPE NETWORK

LUKAS KIENER, M.D., Facharzt für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie FMHBärenmatte, Switzerland

AMERICAN FAMILY ASSOCIATION OF PENNSYLVANIA

 

 

 

Psychiatrists Oppose Illinois SSA Therapy Ban

 

Caring Clinicians
P.O. Box 5517
Glendale, AZ 85312
 
March 23, 2014
 
Dear Committee Member:
 
May we respectfully suggest that the efforts of some to ban SOCE therapy in Illinois are:
 
  • An unfounded overreach without support in scientific research. (Even the APA’s task force made up of gay activists and gay affirming professionals – without one professional who actually does SOCE(!), said there wasn’t enough research to say whether it was harmful or beneficial)
 
  • Based on the false notion that same sex attraction or homosexuality is innate.  The multiple large identical twin studies show that this is clearly false.  For example the 2008 Santilla et al study involving thousands of identical twins found, that if one of a twin pair was gay the other was gay only 10% of the time, and if one was lesbian the other was only 14% of the time. 
 
  • Even the APA no longer supports this false notion that homosexuality is innate, and suggests the causes are mixture of environmental and genetic influences. Dr. Francis Collins MD, PH.D., the former head of the human genome project, and a very caring individual of gays on a personal level, says it is “not hardwired”.  We know of no credible scientific source that still holds to the false notion that homosexuality is hardwired or innate.
 
  • While we respect the rights of those who want to live a gay or lesbian lifestyle, we would strongly affirm that it is only fair and reasonable that those who want to live a heterosexual lifestyle also be given the rights and freedom to do so.
 
  • There has been research available for decades which clearly shows, that change is possible for those who want to change their sexual orientation.  For example in February 1984, in The American Journal of Psychiatry, Master and Schwartz, from the then world famous Master and Johnson Institute, were able to change a large majority of those who sought change.  They had only a 20% failure rate (or 80% success rate) in their efforts to change patients from a homosexual orientation to a heterosexual lifestyle.  Five years later their failure rate was still only 28% or a 72% success rate.  More recently Jones and Yarhouse in 2007 found success rates for those wanting help to change their same sex attraction similar to those for antidepressant treatment of depression in the STAR*D study.
 
  • Those who are wrongly forced to live with unwanted same sex attraction will unfortunately face the same documented medical and psychological problems faced by those in the gay lifestyle which include:
                       -Increased rates of depression, drug abuse, suicidal ideation and behavior              
                – Tremendously increased rates of HIV infection and AIDS
                – Increased rates of Hepatitis B and C  
                – Increased rates of anal and colon cancer
 
If the goal is to get rid of aversion therapies in the treatment of minors why limit it just to SOCE?   Why not ban it as a therapy regardless of the treatment goal, and if the goal is truly to protect the health of minors, then banning SOCE therapy is a huge step in the wrong direction and will clearly lead to extreme harm and even death in some if not many minors over the years. 
 
For those who are willing to be open minded and intellectually honest we recommend viewing the 32 minute documentary  “Understanding Same-sex Attraction”.
 
Please feel free to share this information with colleagues, as some will not have received it or may have had their screeners set it aside.
 
Respectfully,
John H. Raney, M.D., ABPN
Anthony Duk, M.D. ABPN
John Raney

Anthony Duk