Congressional Subcommittee To Hear From 'Ex-Gay' Group

[davidinalameda]

http://www.365gay.com/newscon04/01/012204FaithHearing.htm

The House Committee on Government Reform's Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy and Human Resources has scheduled a hearing on faith-based initiatives Friday and reportedly will hear from extreme rightwing groups including one promoting "converting" gays to heterosexuality.

Among the groups to testify before the Republican controlled sub-committee is Focus on the Family and an organization it sponsors, Love Won Out.

"This could mark the beginning of a faith-based fiasco where the right wing pressures the government to get into the business of destroying lives through support of ex-gay programs," said Wayne Besen, author of Anything But Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth.

[yellowcanine]

1. Oh Please - those guys are complete frauds

The "conversion" of gays to being straight is so much right wing Christian propaganda. Most of the celebrated cases where they claimed "success" have turned out to be cruel hoaxes. All they are doing is making people miserable and setting them up for failed heterosexual marriages. Besen is right. This is a scandal and if government money flows to these groups it will be an even bigger scandal.

[David__77]

4. Now, there are actually "ex-ex-gays."

These are people who were taken in by the fundamentalist cults and then realized what was happening.

[David__77]

2. Hopefully we'll have some ex-Congressmembers (R) soon.

"Ex-gays..." Remember the John Paulk guy they touted in '97 or so? Well, he was soon seen in gay bars. They can't even keep tabs on their well-paid employees they call "ex-gays."

[HFishbine]

3. Ha!

In a bar last night, I was subjected to some guy trying to tell me that there are proven techniques for accomplishing a sexual "reprograming" of homosexuals. Mercifully, the conversation came to a quick end when I pointed out to him that if that were possible then it would mean that heterosexuals could be "reprogramed" to be gay. "Do you think you could be trained to be gay?" I asked. He didn't even try.

[David__77]

5. Was that a gay bar?

If so, wow, what gall. I almost wish that would happen to me... let's just say they'd be leaving very quickly one way or the other.

[HFishbine]

8. Ha!

Yeah that would have been funny (not). Actually it is the coolest bar in my city. Look and feel of a neighborhood pub but ALL kinds of people hang out there and friendships are quickly formed accross all kinds of strata. It's amazing really. It's not gay or straight, it just is. I wish America could be like that bar.

[Democrats unite]

7. Great reply HFishbone!

eom

[oostevo]

6. Well,

If right wing types can brainwash the American public into thinking that Hussein was responsible for September 11, they may well be able to brainwash gays into thinking they are straight, no?

(Note: The above was intended as humor. Please accept my sincerest apologies if it offends you.)

[Cannikin]

9. I knew someone who was 'cured'....

It lasted about six months. What they call cured, we call living in denial...or 'faking it'.

[davidinalameda]

10. denial ain't a river in Eqypt

I've known a few queens sailing down that river in my time

sad that someone hates themselves to deny a basic part of their humanity

[dsc]

11. to my lasting shame

I looked into conversion therapy when I was in college. At least they were honest about it and stated a very low cure rate (around 5%) and my insurance refused to pay. I was saved by a cheap insurance company.

[icymist]

12. Oh God! Pun intended!

Why can't people just leave other people alone? Reminds me of a saying that was popular in Seattle ten years ago: Jesus...save me from your people!

[Mari333]

13. Dont forget Michigan DUers to sign this quick

Fight back now and soon!!



Tell the Michigan House and Senate to Say No To The Marriage Amendment
It is expected that within the next two weeks the Michigan House and Senate will be voting on legislation undermining Gay, Lesbian, Bi-attractional, and Transgender families.
This legislation introduces an amendment to Michigan's constitution that would define marriage as only between a man and a woman, thus writing discrimination into the very document that should be preserving civil rights, not taking them away.

Find out how you can stop this cruel and unnecessary legislative action

[remfan]

14. Members of the sub-committee

Mark Souder (GA) (Chairman)
John McHugh (NY)
John Mica (FL)
Doug Ose (CA)
Jo Ann Davis (VA)
Edward Schrock (VA)
John Carter (TX)
Marsha Blackburn (TN)

---------------

Elijah Cummings (MD) (Ranking Member)
Danny Davis (IL)
Wm Lacy Clay (MO)
Linda Sanchez (CA)
C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (MD)
Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC)
Chris Bell (TX)