Tag Archives: PFOX

Conservatives Report the Story, Liberal Media Resorts to Defamation and Name-Calling

G-RebrandSticker2012-hires-300x300Undercover LGBTQ Resource Center Investigation Threatens Biased News Outlets’ Narrative

Since Voice of the Voiceless (VoV) broke the undercover LGBTQ resource center story on September 25, many media outlets have reported on the discrimination and marginalization of individuals with unwanted same-sex attractions (SSA) in state-funded Universities in Virginia. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, there has been a stark contrast in the content that has been narrated. Quite simply: conservative news outlets have actually reported the story, while liberal media has focused more on defamation, and in some cases, resorted to childish and unprofessional name-calling.

That’s right, name-calling. The Washington Post finally got around to covering the story on October 14, when Tom Jackman reported:

There continue to be people in this world who think that homosexuality is a disease or condition and that a gay person can be ‘cured.’ One such group is called Voice of the Voiceless, and in celebration of ‘Ex-Gay Awareness Month,’ Voiceless president Christopher Doyle conducted an undercover investigation in September to see if Virginia’s public universities were providing information on ways to become un-gay.

Jackman goes onto to discuss the undercover counseling session at George Mason University rather objectively, but then takes a sharp turn onto biased avenue, and actually resorts to name-calling (note the bold portion below):

The Voiceless website says the group’s mission is ‘to defend the rights of former homosexuals, individuals with unwanted SSA, and their families.’ I think we would all agree that everyone deserves equal rights. And what is SSA? you ask. Same-sex attraction. Nothing to do with that abbreviation backwards.

Yes, you read it correctly. This “news report” actually implies that I, or the abbreviation that we use to describe an individual who experiences homosexual feelings, but does not identify as gay (unwanted SSA, or SSA) as a backside. A news report…in THE Washington Post! This is not an opinion piece or some tabloid-style trash posted on Wayne “It’s ok to have sex with AIDS-infected partners” Besen’s hate blog. The amount of audacity and disrespect it takes for a reporter to use such language in this type of forum is indicative of how seriously threatened the liberal media is and how marginalized former homosexuals and individuals with unwanted same-sex attractions are in our culture. Jackman concludes his biased diatribe by saying:

So the question becomes, When is it appropriate for a public university to offer information about a thoroughly discredited belief? California and New Jersey have both banned ‘reparative therapy’ to undo homosexuality, calling it dangerous. In June, the largest group devoted to changing sexual orientation, Exodus International, shut down and its leader apologized for its misdirected work. Must the idea that homosexuality can be ‘repaired’ or ‘converted’ still be offered to students?

Again, the reporter’s lack of accuracy and objectivity bleeds through with this report. First, the notion that homosexuality is in-born, and therefore subject to change has not been discredited by objective scientists. The American Psychological Association (APA) said in 2008 that people are not born homosexual, and a biased, gay-affirming APA Task Force said in 2009 that while efforts to change sexual orientation via therapy has the “potential” to be harmful (whatever that means, since ‘potential’ is not a scientific description) there is insufficient evidence to suggest that such efforts are effective or ineffective. Second, California and New Jersey now have laws prohibiting change therapy for minors (not adults) that is currently being challenged in federal court (conveniently not mentioned). Finally, Exodus International was never a therapeutic organization that offered this therapy, but rather, a large network with ministries providing support to individuals leaving homosexuality.

To his credit, Jackman fell short of quoting Wayne “It’s ok to have sex with AIDS-infected partners” Besen, which is exactly where GayRVA went for their story. One of the lines in the original version of the story by Amber Galaviz was scratched after I challenged their editor for publishing libelous, unsubstantiated hearsay.

Below is the editor’s note they posted after the second version of the article was published:

“Editor’s Note: This story originally ran miss-labeling Doyle as having an ‘admitted past of child abuse.’ This was an inaccurate statement and a misjudgment on the editor’s part. GayRVA acknowledges the mistake was made and the line in question was removed less than two hours after the story was published.”

Unfortunately, the story quotes generously from Wayne “It’s ok to have sex with AIDS-infected partners” Besen’s hate blog, who has twisted a testimony I wrote (about overcoming childhood sex abuse) for the Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays (PFOX) website to label me as some kind of pedophile/child sex abuser. Much like Besen, GayRVA is unable to defend the conduct of these Virginia LGBTQ Resource Centers, so instead, they must go after my credibility. In other words, if you can’t kill the message, kill the messenger. So much for objective news reporting from the left.

If readers prefer to view a more accurate account of the discrimination and marginalization occurring at Virginia state-funded LGBTQ Resource Centers, World Magazine, WorldNetDaily.com, and LifeSiteNews.com all ran stories that actually reported the facts. George Mason University’s student newspaper, Fourth Estate, also reported a fairly objective account of what occurred at the Fairfax, VA-based University.

Christopher Doyle is the President and Co-Founder of Voice of the Voiceless, the only anti-defamation league for former  homosexuals, individuals with unwanted same-sex attractions, and their families. For more information, visit: www.VoiceoftheVoiceless.info

Honoring Our Legacy, Recognizing Our Achievements, and Looking Towards Our Future

First Annual Ex-Gay Awareness Dinner Reflects on Where We’ve Come, Where We Are, and Where We’re Going

DSC_4567On September 30, 2013 ex-gays and their allies from all over the country gathered in Washington, D.C. to honor our legacy, recognize our achievements, and look towards our future. Dr. Douglas McIntyre, Co-Founder of Homosexuals Anonymous, the oldest and longest-running organization supporting individuals who wish to leave homosexuality, spoke about how far we’ve come in 40 years. “Having lunch on Capitol Hill today with many individuals that have shared the same experiences as I, reminded me that we’ve come a long way. When I was boy, not only was I unable to tell anyone what I was going through (having unwanted homosexual feelings) but there was no place to go. No safe group or organization helping people like me. Today, I’m surrounded by friends . . . it’s a day to celebrate what God has done,” commented McIntyre.

DSC_4675 Greg Quinlan of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays (PFOX) gave one of the most heartening talks of the night, passionately speaking about why ex-gay awareness is so important. “I speak out about my experiences because of what I’ve seen. When I was in the gay lifestyle, I buried 100 of my gay friends who died of AIDS before I stopped counting. My friends would ask me: ‘Greg, would you please read this scripture at my funeral? Would you tell my son I love him and why daddy couldn’t be with him? Would you pray for me and ask God to forgive me?’ After suffering through so much heartbreak, pain, and death around me, I made a choice to come out of homosexuality and I haven’t looked back, and I will continue to speak out so that others can know that I have seen the change. I have to speak of these things. It is my obligation to do that!” Citing Acts, Quinlan proclaimed his duty to preach the good news, “I will continue to declare that ex-gay is ok, you can change!”

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The night also featured two awards, the first given to Liberty Counsel’s, Mat Staver, who spoken about the current legal battles facing clients with unwanted same-sex attractions (and the counselors that help them) that he and Liberty Counsel have been waging in court. “It makes absolutely no sense that someone’s right of self-determination be infringed upon in the counseling office, especially when it threatens our fundamental liberties of speech and religion,” commented Staver. Watch the presentation of the First Ex-Gay Pride Freedom Award by clicking here.

Staver told the story of clients he represents in New Jersey and California – “fourteen, fifteen-year-old boys” – who have benefited from Christian counselors. Upon discovering their same-sex attraction, many “began to cut themselves, hate themselves, question who they are, and their relations with family and friends became fractured. After beginning counseling, however, their self-esteem improved, their same-sex attractions decreased, and their friendships improved.”

DSC_4701The second honor went to self-described former “satanic drag queen,” Trace McNutt, who was the recipient of the Voice of the Voiceless Courage Award for Former Homosexuals. “Unlike many of the people you have heard speak tonight, I still struggle with same-sex attraction. But one thing I know for sure – through the support of the church and Christian community, who have loved me unconditionally, my heart has been changed forever. I stand before you a sinner saved by grace, and I am humbled and honored to receive this award. This award is not for me, but for Jesus Christ who lives in me,” commented McNutt. “I stand before you as a former drug addict, cancer survivor, and to this day, doctors have told me that the HIV that I had been diagnosed with is undetectable. I know that through God, all things are possible.” You can watch Trace’s story and the presentation of the Courage Award by clicking here.

DSC_4599Voice of the Voiceless President, Christopher Doyle, expressed the need to create safe places for youth who are struggling with unwanted same-sex attraction. “We have to find a way to minister to people of faith – young people especially – and allow them to struggle just as we allow other non-SSA young people to struggle as they mature. How many of you have children in their 20s and 30s who continue to struggle with problems in their lives that keep them from reaching their full potential? You love those kids and continue to love them even as they struggle . . . we, people of faith, need to celebrate those young people and mentor them as the mature. We need to provide welcoming places for them – not to endorse their behavior – but to see their potential and look beyond their behavior and into their hearts.” Doyle challenged the audience to invest into young people if they want to see a change in the culture war on homosexuality.

DSC_4736Before Bishop Harry Jackson, Jr. delivered a passionate keynote address, Dennis Jernigan performed the 2013 Ex-Gay Anthem, “Rise Up.” View the music video by clicking here. Produced by Brant Fricker, “Rise Up” is a song, in Dennis’s words, “from God’s perspective toward us.” Based on scripture from Psalm 32:7 and Zephaniah 3:17.“It is true. I once identified as homosexual. Through an encounter with Jesus Christ, I was given a brand new identity. I am tired of feeling like I have to be quiet about it in today’s culture. My story is my story…and the more I share it, the more I find a great number of men and women who once thought they were homosexual as well. It is time to rise up and declare who and Whose we are,” commented Jernigan. Dennis is married to beautiful wife Melinda, and together they have nine children.

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The evening concluded with a passionate keynote address from Bishop Harry Jackson, Jr., senior pastor of Hope Christian Church in Beltsville, Maryland and chairman of the High Impact Leadership Coalition, shared his miraculous story of surviving esophageal cancer and rededicating himself to God. “There is no way I would have beaten the odds without our Heavenly Father’s favor and immeasurable grace that He bestowed upon me. Jackson inspired the audience with his story of healing and description of four different types of grace the Lord gives His people to overcome great obstacles in their lives. Jackson, who jokingly wondered if he would be met with a crowd of protestors as he has been in the past when speaking about God’s ideal for sexuality, encouraged the ex-gays to declare passionately, “I’m going to live as a transformed ex-gay and I don’t care who doesn’t like it!”

Voice of the Voiceless is the only anti-defamation league for former homosexuals, individuals with unwanted same-sex attractions, and their families. For more information, visit: www.VoiceoftheVoiceless.info

Dennis Jernigan to Perform at the First Annual Ex-Gay Awareness Dinner on September 30

Christian Singer/Songwriter and Former Homosexual Brings Music to Washington, D.C.

dj_headshotVoice of the Voiceless (VoV) is excited to announce that Christian singer, songwriter, and author Dennis Jernigan will perform his music as a part of the First Annual Ex-Gay Awareness Dinner and Reception in Washington, D.C. on September 30, 2013. The event is being hosted by Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays (PFOX), a national non-profit organization that advocates for former homosexuals and their families.

The songs of Dennis Jernigan, such as “You Are My All in All,” “Nobody Fills My Heart Like Jesus,” “Thank You,” “We Will Worship the Lamb of Glory,” as well as hundreds of others, are sung literally all over the world. Routinely, multiple songs from Jernigan rank in the Top 100 on the Church Copyright Licensing (CCLI) charts for the most performed songs in churches.

Jernigan has released over 21 full-length CDs, multiple songbooks and folios, and has authored more than five books. On September 30, Dennis will also share about his most recent project, “Sing Over Me,” an autobiography and full-length documentary film that chronicles his life, work, and music.

“We are thrilled to have Dennis be a part of this historic occasion,” commented Christopher Doyle, President and Co-Founder of VoV. “His music and story has encouraged and inspired millions, and we are so excited for him to be with us and have him share his music and story of coming out of homosexuality.” For more information on the full-length documentary film “Sing Over Me,” click here to view the teaser clip.

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Dennis Jernigan with his wife and nine children

Dennis has given a great deal of his life to setting the spiritually captive free. Having walked out of a homosexual identity and into that of a new creation, he is convinced that with God NOTHING is impossible.Through the sharing of his story and the sharing of the stories behind the songs, Dennis Jernigan has watched literally thousands of people find healing through intimacy with Jesus Christ.

Dennis and his wife, Melinda, have been married for 30 years, have nine children, and make their home in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

For more information, to purchase tickets, and/or become a sponsor for the First Annual Ex-Gay Awareness Dinner and Celebration on September 30 in Washington, D.C., click here.

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For more information on the First Annual Ex-Gay Awareness Month Dinner/Reception on September 30, visit: http://pfox.org/join-us-for-dinner.pdf and http://www.voiceofthevoiceless.info/exgayawarenessmonth/