Post by coolplanet on Jun 20, 2013 21:23:10 GMT -5
US's Oldest, Largest Gay Conversion Center Shuts Down, Apologizes for Hurt and Ignorance
A Christian center that offered to "cure" people of homosexuality through prayer and therapy closed its doors and issued an apology for its work.
June 20, 2013 AT 6:39PM
cir.ca/story/gay-conversion-center-shuts-down
Christian gay therapy center Exodus International shut down and its leader issued an apology to gay people for "pain and hurt" it has caused, acknowledging that the center is part of a "system of ignorance." Exodus was founded in 1976 and is perhaps the oldest gay-conversion therapy institution in the U.S.
"I am sorry that some of you spent years working through the shame and guilt you felt when your attractions didn't change. I am sorry we promoted sexual orientation change efforts and reparative theories about sexual orientation that stigmatized parents… I am sorry that I have communicated that you and your families are less than me and mine." – Alan Chalmers, Exodus International President
Chalmers admits in his apology that he "conveniently omitted my ongoing same-sex attractions" during the course of his work to convert gay people.
California banned gay conversion therapy last year; a court has yet to rule on whether the ban is constitutional. New Jersey lawmakers are poised to vote on a proposed ban of gay conversion therapy.
Further reading:
U.S. group that 'converted' gays closes its doors and apologizes
www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/20/us-usa-gay-exodus-idUSBRE95J0W020130620
Group apologizes to gay community, shuts down 'cure' ministry
www.cnn.com/2013/06/20/us/exodus-international-shutdown/index.html
I Am Sorry
exodusinternational.org/2013/06/i-am-sorry/
A Christian center that offered to "cure" people of homosexuality through prayer and therapy closed its doors and issued an apology for its work.
June 20, 2013 AT 6:39PM
cir.ca/story/gay-conversion-center-shuts-down
Christian gay therapy center Exodus International shut down and its leader issued an apology to gay people for "pain and hurt" it has caused, acknowledging that the center is part of a "system of ignorance." Exodus was founded in 1976 and is perhaps the oldest gay-conversion therapy institution in the U.S.
"I am sorry that some of you spent years working through the shame and guilt you felt when your attractions didn't change. I am sorry we promoted sexual orientation change efforts and reparative theories about sexual orientation that stigmatized parents… I am sorry that I have communicated that you and your families are less than me and mine." – Alan Chalmers, Exodus International President
Chalmers admits in his apology that he "conveniently omitted my ongoing same-sex attractions" during the course of his work to convert gay people.
California banned gay conversion therapy last year; a court has yet to rule on whether the ban is constitutional. New Jersey lawmakers are poised to vote on a proposed ban of gay conversion therapy.
Further reading:
U.S. group that 'converted' gays closes its doors and apologizes
www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/20/us-usa-gay-exodus-idUSBRE95J0W020130620
Group apologizes to gay community, shuts down 'cure' ministry
www.cnn.com/2013/06/20/us/exodus-international-shutdown/index.html
I Am Sorry
exodusinternational.org/2013/06/i-am-sorry/