Earlier this week, ex-gay advocacy group Voice of the Voiceless hosted the First Annual “Ex-Gay” Awareness Dinner and Reception in Washington, D.C. An impressive 60 people turned out for the event. That’s more than triple the amount that turned out for their rally back in July, which attracted less than 15.
The event was held in an undisclosed location and was closed to all but a very select few reporters. (By our estimation, it appears only one media outlet was in attendance.)
“When gays come out of the closet they are celebrated in the movies and on TV,” Chris Doyle, co-founder and president of Voice of the Voiceless, told the roomful of supporters. “When an ‘ex-gay’ tells his story, he’s mocked, ridiculed, defamed – and ask Trace McNutt, he gets death threats.”
Trace McNutt is a former self-proclaimed “Satanic Drag Queen” who spent many years performing as a demonic gay rockstar named Coma. He has since abandoned his colorful wigs, dresses, and makeup and is now an “ex-gay” advocate. He was given the “Ex-Gay” Award for Courage at Monday night’s event.
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Doyle called for the “ex-gay” movement to go on the offensive with their message that people can determine their sexual identity. He also emphasized youth outreach, particularly to young Christian men who suffer from same-sex attraction but who still want to maintain their faith.
“This is a battle of love, ladies and gentlemen,” he proclaimed before calling on fellow Christians to welcome young people who struggle with same-sex attractive, urging them “not to endorse their behavior, but to see their potential and look beyond the behavior to see into their hearts.”
In addition to Doyle, several other “ex-gays” took to the podium, including former prostitute Rev. Douglas McIntyre, former transgender Rev. J. Grace Harley, and Mathew D. Staver, founder and chief counsel of Liberty Counsel and winner of the “Ex-Gay” Freedom Award.
Staver talked about some of the clients he’s represented – “fourteen, fifteen-year-old boys” – who he claims have benefitted from Christian counselors. Upon discovering their same-sex attraction, many “began to cut themselves, hate themselves, question who they are,” and their relationships with family and friends became strained. After beginning counseling, however, Staver claims their self-esteem “improved”, their same-sex attractions “decreased”, and their friendships “improved.”
Another speaker, “ex-gay” and president of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays Greg Quinlan, told the crowd: “I have seen the change, I have to speak of these things. It is my obligation to do that! I will continue to declare that ‘ex-gay’ is okay, you can change!”
But the real highlight of the evening was an emotional performance by “ex-gay” singer-songwriter Dennis Jernigan, who performed the the “ex-gay” anthem “Rise Up” on his electric piano.
No word yet on if there will be another “Ex-Gay” Awareness Dinner and Reception next year, but Dennis Jernigan’s song is now available for download on his website for just $.99.
Photo credits: Christian Post.
dvlaries
No Bachmanns or Haggards or Craigs…? Some shindig. 😐
Cam
So basically a bunch of ex hookers and drug addicts claiming that they are victims because …..why?
Is it illegal to be ex-gay? If an “Ex gay” wants to marry somebody of the opposite gender is that illegal? Are they fired for being in an opposite gender relationship?
Remind me again why they are claiming they are victims? Oh that’s right, because some states have said that their damaging ex gay therapy is harmful to children and won’t let them participate in it. Yes, not being allowed to harm people CERTAINLY makes them victims.
Also, interesting that they all seem to be former prostitutes or drug addicts. They may want to explore their thoughts that it was homosexuality that wrecked their lives before.
Dakotahgeo
To any other normal group, this would so embarrassing, but then, to them, this appears to be normal. No accounting for common sense, eh?!
tr6886
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/02/ex-gay-theme-song_n_4031117.html
Only 15 [people showed up.
Charles175
It’s funny that this Voice of the Voiceless group has suddenly become highly visible immediately after the failure of Exodus International. It sounds to me like a form of damage control, a desperate attempt to continue legitimizing this form of quackery. From the description in this article this organization is preying upon those with absolutely no spiritual strength and no hope in their hearts and in turn giving these people a false sense of hope through this sham based in religious interpretation beliefs. I’m quite sure if one digs psychologically deep down enough into each one of these individuals you’ll find a profound sense of sexual suppression instead of a bona fide gay to straight conversion process. During the time Exodus International was up and running full steam ahead, their “success” stories were also based in brainwashing their patients to believe that they too were successfully converted from fully gay to fully straight. History will repeat itself in that these too will one day wake up and discovered that they had been brainwashed as well. Like with Exodus International’s 37 long years of failure after failure, these also will eventually wake up. It’s only a matter of time.
Kafieistani
These groups are just dishonest to begin with .They may have been leading gay lifestyles in the past but this does not make them homosexual . I would say that this group falls into 2 types = #1 bisexual’s who had been living a gay life style and are now with a female ( or male , if the are female them selves)and are just ignoring ( or not ) there = natural same sex attractions and # 2 real homosexuals and lesbians ( self hating individuals )who are rejecting there own natural sexual urges and trying to cover them up . The first type ( the bisexual’s ) will do fine and these will provide the speakers and leaders who will naturally come over as confident and honest , but the second type are the true victims . Brainwashed by there families and society into believing that they are never able to be happy as God has made them . they will seek out any crack pot that offer’s hope and in these groups they find it and all the misery that comes with it .I think that the gay community needs to expose these 2 types of ex gay to the public = bisexuals and self hating gays and lesbians .
Mr. E. Jones
Trace McNutt. A porn name if ever there was one.
Paul F
It isn’t Ex-Gay, it’s Pretend-Straight. They’re still gay, just trying like hell to suppress it. Come on uncle Fester, own the label; Pretend-Straight.
PSPoolside
My god how did I miss this non stop party. Sing everyone, Rise Up! Perhaps not the best title Dennis Jernigan could have selected.
Ruhlmann
@PSPoolside: Boing! lmao
i43neile
It’s not an “awareness” dinner if the “event was held in an undisclosed location and was closed to all but a very select few reporters”
But I have to say he has a point. If there are really ex-gays out there then it’s their own business.
As long as those so-called ex-gays don’t make a generalization and start converting gay people out of their own will.
Goforit
“Former transgender J. Grace Harley”? Could someone please edcuate me as to how one becomes “former transgender” If you have a sugury to restore your former sex, wouldn’t that in fact be a second transgender?
Will
@Goforit: what I’m curious about is, if this this was a M2F transition originally, WTF does the genitalia look like after a M2F2M transition?? Wait, no, I don’t wanna picture that. Some mental images can never be erased.
Harley
It only took 60 tea party congressmen to shut down the United States government. A clear example of how a SMALL minority can destroy the majority. These people do not live on planet earth. Russia maybe.
CeciliaRooney
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gaym50ish
Goforit and Will, this guy was probably a pre-operative transsexual who simply stopped taking the hormones, cut his hair and took off the dress, and that’s how he can call himself “former” transgender.
As for Mathew Staver’s comment about gay teens who “…hate themselves, question who they are,” of course they do. They hate themselves because their homophobic parents TAUGHT them to hate themselves. Gay kids who have supportive parents tend to grow up mentally healthy.
As Maya Angelou says, kids have to be taught to hate — they don’t come by it naturally. And that applies to self-hatred.