Exodus International, the most well known "ex-gay" ministry, is shutting down after more than three decades. They write:
“We’re not negating the ways God used Exodus to positively affect thousands of people, but a new generation of Christians is looking for change – and they want to be heard,” Tony Moore, Board member of Exodus. The message came less than a day after Exodus released a statement apologizing (www.exodusinternational.org/apology) to the gay community for years of undue judgment by the organization and the Christian Church as a whole.
“Exodus is an institution in the conservative Christian world, but we’ve ceased to be a living, breathing organism,” said Alan Chambers, President of Exodus. “For quite some time we’ve been imprisoned in a worldview that’s neither honoring toward our fellow human beings, nor biblical.”
Chambers continued: “From a Judeo-Christian perspective, gay, straight or otherwise, we’re all prodigal sons and daughters. Exodus International is the prodigal’s older brother, trying to impose its will on God’s promises, and make judgments on who’s worthy of His Kingdom. God is calling us to be the Father – to welcome everyone, to love unhindered.”
The group's Board of Directors says it will begin a separate ministry:
“This is a new season of ministry, to a new generation,” said Chambers. “Our goals are to reduce fear (reducefear.org), and come alongside churches to become safe, welcoming, and mutually transforming communities.”
Chambers also issued his own apology "to the people within the LGBTQ community who have been hurt by the Church, Exodus International, and me" in which he writes, in part:
Please know that I am deeply sorry. I am sorry for the pain and hurt many of you have experienced. 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 there were times I didn’t stand up to people publicly “on my side” who called you names like sodomite—or worse. I am sorry that I, knowing some of you so well, failed to share publicly that the gay and lesbian people I know were every bit as capable of being amazing parents as the straight people that I know. I am sorry that when I celebrated a person coming to Christ and surrendering their sexuality to Him that I callously celebrated the end of relationships that broke your heart. I am sorry that I have communicated that you and your families are less than me and mine.
More than anything, I am sorry that so many have interpreted this religious rejection by Christians as God’s rejection. I am profoundly sorry that many have walked away from their faith and that some have chosen to end their lives. For the rest of my life I will proclaim nothing but the whole truth of the Gospel, one of grace, mercy and open invitation to all to enter into an inseverable relationship with almighty God.
I cannot apologize for my deeply held biblical beliefs about the boundaries I see in scripture surrounding sex, but I will exercise my beliefs with great care and respect for those who do not share them. I cannot apologize for my beliefs about marriage. But I do not have any desire to fight you on your beliefs or the rights that you seek. My beliefs about these things will never again interfere with God’s command to love my neighbor as I love myself.
You have never been my enemy. I am very sorry that I have been yours. I hope the changes in my own life, as well as the ones we announce tonight regarding Exodus International, will bring resolution, and show that I am serious in both my regret and my offer of friendship. I pledge that future endeavors will be focused on peace and common good.
Posted Jun. 20,2013 at 8:30 AM EST by Andy Towle in "Ex-Gays", News |
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Gay rights supporters in Florida are wasting no time waiting for the Supreme Court's upcoming ruling regarding state bans on gay marriage. Today, Equality Florida and the national Freedom to Marry announced a new effort called "Get Engaged" to increase support among Floridians for marriage equality:
"As the entire country is awaiting the Supreme Court ruling, it's time for everyone who believes in equality and fairness to take a clear stand on the right side of history,' said Nadine Smith, executive director of Equality Florida. 'Florida's changed dramatically since 2008, when just over 60 percent of voters embedded marriage discrimination into the constitution. In fact, Florida is a leader in the south, with 54 percent of voters in support of marriage for same-sex couples. Only 23 percent of Floridians now oppose gay couples having all the rights and benefits of marriage."
Smith says it is too early to determine whether they will attempt to repeal Amendment 2 at the polls in 2014. It will take 60 percent voter approval to overturn the ban which was passed during the 2008 election. The group plans on using celebrities, social media, T-shirts, bumper stickers and rallies to get its message out.
Posted Jun. 20,2013 at 8:30 AM EST by Kyler Geoffroy |
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Italian news outlets have supposedly uncovered a hook-up site for gay priests in Italy. From the Catholic website Gloria:
"The homo Sensitive priestly society - Venerabilis in English - claims to be a loose association of gay and homophile Catholic priests. The website serves as a gay dating site, so that aberrosexual priests can find contact among themselves, or homosexual laity can meet like-minded priests and vice versa. This page offers chat rooms in five languages, including in German, a Twitter service to the Catholic Church and some news from a "homo sensitive" view. The ads are unique. Anyone who registers on the Venerabilis and gives a personal ad or responds to one seeks homosexual sexual contact."
The news comes on the heels of Pope Francis' statement last week admitting the existence of a "gay lobby" within the Catholic Church.
(via joe.my.god)
Posted Jun. 20,2013 at 8:01 AM EST by Kyler Geoffroy in Catholic Church, Italy, News, Pope Francis, Vatican |
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The Brooklyn Paper is reporting that a woman was "raped at knifepoint" in the neighbourhood of Greenpoint in Brooklyn last Sunday morning because she is gay.
"A man put a knife to the victim’s face as she was walking along Java Street between Manhattan Avenue and McGuiness Boulevard just after midnight on June 16, the victim told police. He pulled her down onto the sidewalk and raped her. He told her it was because of her sexual orientation."
The man reportedly told the woman "I'm doing this to you because you're gay."
This is just the latest in a string of anti-gay hate crimes in New York City this year.
(Image by Genial23 via Flickr.)
Posted Jun. 20,2013 at 7:30 AM EST by Julian Ward in Crime, New York |
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Miley Cyrus has premiered a provocative new video for her single "We Can't Stop". The party anthem was produced by Mike WiLL Made-It and co-written by Cyrus, Mike WiLL and Rock City. Disney Channel this is not.
Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...
Continue reading "Miley Cyrus Can't Stop Partying In New Single "We Can't Stop" - VIDEO"
Posted Jun. 20,2013 at 7:00 AM EST by Kyler Geoffroy in Miley Cyrus, Music, Music Video, News |
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PHOTO OF THE DAY: Joe Manganiello flaunts what he's got in the new issue of Men's Health.
BY SAM GREISMAN
A look back at today's top stories
GAY ISSUES
Reddit is probably not the first place I would typically look for stories to restore my faith in humanity, but this tale of the gift two rebellious eighth graders gave their gay teacher is pretty moving. As we continue to wait on the Supreme Court's decision regarding marriage equality, Ari Waldman takes a look at what the legal landscape may look like for gay marriage by the end of this month. President Obama spoke to a crowd in gay friendly Berlin today and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska has become the third Senate Republican to support gay marriage.
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ENTERTAINMENT
Towleroad's own Bobby Hankinson sat down with emerging pop-artist Bright Light Bright Light (a.k.a Rod Thomas) to discuss his musical influences and what it is like to be an openly gay artist. Following a 12-year interlude, Cher made her return to the stage last night on the finale of The Voice as she performed "Woman's World".
It's been nearly as long since we last saw Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, Paul Rudd, Christina Applegate and the Anchorman crew but at last there is a trailer for the sequel. And following her cataclysmic moment during the Miss USA contest, Miss Utah poked fun at her flubbed answer on Jimmy Kimmel.
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WINGNUTTERY
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal laid into his own party on Politico by telling the GOP that since they aren't doing anything, the American people will rise up against the sensibility that is the Democratic Party. Bryan Fischer of the AFA clearly forgot to take his brain pills today as he announced that Liberals are supporting immigration because Conservatives are making more babies. I'm sure there is a lot of data to support that. Also the LAPD has offered a reward for information on suspects wanted for questioning about an attack on a transgender woman.
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VIDEOS OF THE DAY
It seems every time you blink a member of One Direction is doing something blatantly homo-erotic. This time watch as Harry offers Zayn a bite of his thong. And snakes can open doors now! Good luck sleeping!
Posted Jun. 20,2013 at 12:36 AM EST by Sam Greisman |
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