Asheville coalition to oppose notorious conference that hawks 'ex-gay' therapy

My friend Wayne Besen at Truth Wins Out, a non-profit founded to combat the junk science and propaganda of the infamous professional "ex-gay" movement, is joining forces with a coalition of North Carolina organizations to produce a counter-symposium to the conference being held by Exodus International in Asheville in July.

While you might find the idea of "praying away the gay" outlandish, the fact is that Exodus and other "ex-gay" organizations prey upon individuals who are coming to terms with their sexual orientation; many are often in conflict because of the anti-gay messages the have received from fundamentalist family and friends.

Part of the propaganda machine involves selling books and tapes/DVDs that proclaim "change is possible." For questioning minors, they are often sent away to these sexual re-orientation camps against their will to be gender-normed (as if that has anything to do with your orientation). Wayne:

The controversial Exodus International symposium will sell books that promote exorcisms and encourage gay men to play touch football and lesbians to wear lipstick to become heterosexual.

“Ex-gay groups would be a farce if its failures weren’t so destructive to individuals and families,” said Wayne Besen, Executive Director of TruthWinsOut.org. “We plan a robust week of activities to highlight the harm caused by this nefarious right wing organization and to show the truth about the lives of GLBT people. I want to thank the Coalition for Equality for their commitment to educating North Carolinians about the dangers of the ‘ex-gay’ myth and the positive contributions GLBT people make to the community.”Here are some of the planned events to counter the Exodus conference.

Schedule of Events, July 15-20

Tuesday, July 15, 7:00–8:30 PM, Kick off Event
“Can You Pray Away the Gay?”
Firestorm Café & Books (48 Commerce St., Asheville)
Speakers: Wayne Besen, Director, TruthWinsOut.org and author of “Anything But Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-gay Myth,” and Ian Palmquist, Executive Director, Equality NC

Wednesday, July 16, 7:00 PM
Film: “For the Bible Tells Me So”
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Swannanoa Valley (500 Montreat Rd. Black Mountain , NC 28711)
Co-hosted by Common Light Meeting Place, Discussion follows, led by Laine Calloway,Gay & Lesbian Ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of WNC

Thursday, July 17, 6:45 PM
Film: “For the Bible Tells Me So”
Henderson County Library (301 Washington St., Hendersonville, NC 28739)
Hosted by Pflag Flat Rock/Hendersonville & Love Welcomes All Committee
Discussion afterward led by Rev. Jerry Miller

Friday, July 18, 7:00 PM
Film: “Fish Can’t Fly”
Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville
Charlotte St. at Edwin Place, Asheville, NC 28801
Discussion follows. Wayne Besen will discuss appearing in the film

Saturday, July 19, 11 AM – 2 PM Real-Families Picnic!!
Recreation Park - 69 Gashes Creek Rd. Asheville, NC 28805
(off Swannanoa River Rd. next to WNC Nature Center)

The Coalition for Equality consists of the following organizations: First Congregational United, Church of Christ Asheville, PFLAG Asheville, PFLAG Hendersonville/Flat Rock, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Swannanoa Valley, Gay and Lesbian Ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina, Western North Carolina, Citizens for an End to Institutional Bigotry, Employment Equality for Gays and Lesbians, People of Faith for Just Relationships, Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville, Equality NC Foundation, National Organization for Women - Asheville Chapter, and Common Light Meeting Place.

Here is the trailer from the excellent award-winning “For the Bible Tells Me So.”

I blogged at Salon last year about Daniel Karslake's documentary.

After the screening, I chatted with the Rev. David Poteat, who participated in a Q&A session with Karslake at the Durham screening. He and his wife, Brenda (also a minister), are the one family shown on camera still struggling to accept their daughter Tonia's sexual orientation -- you can tell that they love her, but just can't get over the hurdle.

The Revs. Poteat preach at Faith Harvest Church Ministries in Burlington, N.C. (about 35 miles from Durham). It's interesting that the Poteats are the only black family featured in the film; all of the families featured have deep roots and connections to their faith communities. In the case of the Poteats, it was difficult to watch them in turmoil, wanting to love their daughter and still hold fast to their Bible-based condemnation of homosexuality. It plays itself out in painful ways on-screen.

In my conversation with the Rev. Poteat, it was clear that, months after filming ended, and now on the tour with Karslake at festivals, the experience has really opened his eyes. He has seen the reaction of audiences to the film and how it has moved them. He hopes that his family's participation in the documentary will change hearts and minds, and not allow people to turn their backs on their gay or lesbian child.