Wayne Besen: ‘Ex-Gay’ Programs Could Stage Comeback in the Age of Trump

Donald Trump holding a rainbow flag during the hustings int the US elections.

Wayne Besen of Truth Wins Out

In recent years, “ex-gay” ministries and their ostensibly secular counterpart, reparative therapy (a.k.a. conversion therapy), have been widely discredited. The movement's key leaders have either been the subject of scandal or come out of the closet. This undermined their credibility, because these spokespeople were the walking, talking, “living proof” that such programs are effective. Additionally, the industry has lost in court, and laws have been passed in several states and cities prohibiting quacks from engaging in the barbaric practice with minors.

Beyond the fight for marriage equality, efforts to debunk the “ex-gay” industry have been one of the LGBT movement’s most effective campaigns. These organizations came to prominence in 1998, when at least 15 right-wing Christian groups launched the national “Truth in Love” advertising campaign that featured people who claimed to have gone from gay to straight through a combination of Jesus Christ and therapy sessions.

The campaign backfired and proved the opposite: Even highly motivated people aided by Christian psychologists and prayer warriors could not alter their sexual orientation.

Today, most of the once powerful “ex-gay” groups are gone, such as Exodus International, Jews Offering New Alternatives to Homosexuality, and Love Won Out. Those remaining exist in shambles, staffed by dead-enders who operate on the far fringes of society. Most right-wing Christian groups that once embraced this movement now avoid doing so. They rightfully fear that promoting “ex-gay” programs, which are highly likely to fail, would lead to public ridicule. And, finally, the media, which once gave “ex-gay” groups millions of dollars in free publicity, are openly skeptical. Having been burned by people who lied about their transformation, news outlets now ignore these groups or accurately report on them as the scams that they are.

Our movement’s victory over the destructive “ex-gay” myth could prove ephemeral with the rise of Donald Trump. Although he has shown no appetite to promote this insidious lie, he has surrounded himself with people who are virulently antigay, such as Vice President Mike Pence, Housing and Urban Development secretary nominee Ben Carson, and Attorney General nominee Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama.

“Ex-gay” propaganda is always an attractive option for such extremists. They latch on to it because the alternative to cynically professing love for LGBT people by offering a cure is outright hostility, which is more difficult in a country that increasingly accepts LGBT people as mainstream.

Indeed, open warfare against LGBT people is politically perilous. As Indiana's governor, Mike Pence was burned when he tried to wage it with the odious “license to discriminate” law. Gov. Pat McCrory was one of the rare Republicans who lost his reelection, which was due largely to his embrace of an anti-LGBT law that stripped civil rights from gay people and denied transgender individuals use of the appropriate bathrooms. A May CNN/ORC poll found that 57 percent of Americans say they oppose laws requiring transgender individuals to use facilities that do not match their gender identity.

To avoid becoming a laughingstock, it is unlikely that shrewder members of Trump’s staff or Cabinet would openly promote such quackery (my guess is that Ben Carson is the most likely). The real danger lies in the contempt for reality and collapse of the quaint notion that “facts” exist. On November 30, CNN’s Scottie Nell Hughes, a frequent Trump surrogate, appeared on The Diane Rehm Show and said, “People that say facts are facts — they’re not really facts. … There’s no such thing, unfortunately, anymore as facts.”

In such a fact-free environment, you can easily see conservatives arguing to include “ex-gay” viewpoints in textbooks and protecting these groups with new laws. This time, they are less likely to argue the efficacy of such programs. They will probably emulate Donald Trump and declare something like, “I have no idea if these programs work, but some people say they do, so it’s only fair to include their version of the facts.”

“Ex-gay” organizations may also follow the path of white nationalists and claim to be a distinct minority that is in need of protection from discrimination. The noxious group Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays has long used this argument. I would not be surprised to see some conservatives adopt it in the specious name of fairness. They will argue that the exclusion of “ex-gay” propaganda is an example of political correctness.

We will also have to counter the cynical enactment of religious liberty laws, which may give proponents of “ex-gay” programs the right to inflict harm on LGBT people in the name of religious freedom. As Donald Trump and the Republican Senate fill federal courts with conservative judges, such tomfoolery may increasingly gain support from the bench.

The international posture of the Trump administration may also lead to the expansion of “ex-gay” organizations. The U.S. has been a bulwark against global homophobia during the Obama administration. Who will now stand up at the United Nations against Middle Eastern countries and Russia, which may push the “ex-gay” myth?

Finally, I suspect that Trump will give more latitude to states to promote these harmful therapies under the auspices of “states’ rights.” It is conceivable that our “laboratories of democracy” may conduct some very dangerous “ex-gay” experiments on LGBT people during the Trump years.

Fortunately, these organizations have a history of folly and failure. We will need to highlight these disasters, because conservatives may try to revive this dead horse in the coming years. 

WAYNE BESEN is the founding executive director of Truth Wins Out, the Center Against Religious Extremism, and author of Anything But Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth (Routledge, 2003) and Bashing Back: Wayne Besen on People, Politics, and Culture.(Routledge, 2006). 

He is the host of The Wayne Besen Show, airing weekdays from 2 to 5 p.m. Central on WCPT 820 AM Chicago, and a weekly columnist at the Falls Church News Press.

also see:
Former US 'Ex-Gay' Superstar John Paulk Finally Renounces His 'Ex-Gay' Past 

US Pastor Charged With Sexually Assaulting Men During Ex-Gay therapy Sessions 2012 

Former 'ex-gay' leaders publish open letter saying conversion therapy is damaging 

Gay “Cures” Are Harmful And Don’t Work, Says World’s Largest Body Of Psychiatrists 

EX Gay Ministries to close, founder issues apology 2013

Impossible to be gay & Christian?

Thought I hold this post until today in recognition of IDAHO. See my post here from sister blog GLBTQJA

Given that this blog of the GLBTQ Jamaica family was started out as Sunshine Cathedral Jamaica, SCJ inclusive of LGBT religious beliefs of the ‘mother church’ Metropolitan Community Church (MCC) matters and such, posts of which still are here; the matter of religion as divisive came up again on many fronts especially since the ‘Gays are welcomed’ Gleaner story recently and my subsequent entry on the article. In previous and now follow up discourse with a good friend of mine who recently said he converted to Christianity in a Pentecostal church and says he is filled with the Holy Ghost. He has been shedding his gayness on all fronts to include his impressive CD/DVD, dance music collection with some of the best gay circuit anthems and classic divas, hence our regular contact (DJ instinct), his porn collection, books and other stuff to supposedly begin life anew as a heterosexual man. He is bisexual (or was) as he also has a teenage son but is adamant that he is changed and does not want to pursue his urges for men and sex as the Bible says it is an abomination and that I and others should ‘change’

Although his conversion occurred some two and a half years now and we spoke numerous times since but it has been a little annoying that he always seek to include in the conversation at some point the questions as to when am I coming to church or giving my life over to the Lord; followed by the brimstone and fire outcomes if I do not and him having no intention of returning to gay life.

He was in agreement with the reparative tinged narrative of the ‘Gays are welcomed’ article which I found surprising; we discussed some of the tenets over a rather uncomfortable telephone conversation yet while he tried to get me to buy some more of the CD/DVD/books collection he was shedding. So I confronted him none the less as if he wanted me to ‘give my life to the Lord’ then why in the same breath try to get me to buy the very offending materials in his eyes that he is shedding in his purification journey? He claimed maybe in the future I might ‘change’ and that he was going to pray for me. I chuckled, I welcome the prayer if it is for blessings and long life but not for ‘change’ as he thinks and he said he was serious in his intent to go on a fasting cycle. I mentioned that reparative or restorative therapy has been proven to be misnomer and many persons who were forced to suppress their true feelings have come to the realization that it can cause more stress than good. He disagreed and said God can change anyone including him.

What explains individuals who know they love God, claim to or are secure in the knowledge that they are filled with the Holy Ghost yet are same sex attracted, gender non-binary, bisexual or transgender or even asexual? To which he answered that maybe those persons are confused or are led by the devil. He then concluded that it is impossible to be gay and Christian as God would not accept that; so what explains churches that knowingly instruct persons who they suspect to be gay and who are often on the choir, or the band to leadership for that matter but are effectively told if ever so subtly to stay in the closet or do not show any hints at all? The usual stumbling came prior to a delayed put together answer as happened before in other times when I asked similar worded questions to other Christians and such. My friend claims in words to the effect that maybe those churches are trying to allow persons to change in due time by not ostracizing them, a rather surprising answer since Pentecostals tend to feel their way in Christian life is the true one and others are off base. But the aforementioned ‘Gays are welcomed’ article suggests mostly sternly no such tolerance of persons even remotely displaying any signs or gayness (I assume effeminacy which is not a marker of male homosexuality as we now know) while also conflating same gender sex and abuse especially of boys, a misguided if not deceptive way to other gays so as to smear us as sick or depraved when paedophiles and gay adults are not the same.

2009 SCJ after church group discussion

Reverend Robert Griffin(left), gay cop prior to his departure from Jamaica and Reverend Nancy Anderson of MCC Miami in Jamaica after 2009 church service discussions 

As a former member of Sunshine Cathedral Jamaica, SCJ often referred to as the ‘gay church’ which was fully LGBT from the clergy to congregants I felt very comfortable during services. Outside of continuity of services in Kingston and Ocho Rios the outfit still meets in western Jamaica but it offered when in full operations a place for judgement free worship; no hetero-normative pre-requisites; between a worshiper and God with no condemnation, unlike what happens in most traditional places of worship involved in the Judaeo Christian religion. In a previous post some days ago I asked in response to antigay Dr Wayne West’s claim that he does not want to peep in our bedrooms, what did he mean by “We don’t want certain things on the streets. We don’t want them in our churches.” which seems to be conflict with the patronizing olive branch by the church groups.

Am I to understand that Dr West thinks outward displays of affection is going to simply cause persons to be homosexualized or is he blindly unaware of the fact of what can and has happened in some instances of such expressions in public. Or like some churches one can be gay or suspected to be so but remain a member so long as they keep it to themselves; no wonder he gladly embraced Queen Ifrica, after all her “Keep it to yuself” song promotes staying in the closet; he also pushing outcasting homosexuals simply due to their sexual orientation when the very master himself does not promote exclusion; lest we forget the alabaster box story and the washing of the feet of Jesus by a scorned prostitute, to which he rebuked those who expressed such disdain. So the church in West’s eyes must be pure of all sinners when the very church is supposed to be the place to win souls for the kingdom.

He who is without sin let him cast the first stone.

In my own journey I do believe that one can be homosexual and Christian; I do not believe that God is caught up in judging us harshly by mere sexual orientation; after all we are more than just who we have sex with or are attracted to. I ask every now and again I refer to the woman with the alabaster box story or the stoning incident where I just quoted above the line Jesus used in terms of who is more holy than others. The raising of homosexuality as the worse sin above all others then the twinning if not combining of atheism/secularism as expressed by some LGBT persons as a false dichotomy to some anti-Christian, anti God position are simply just that, false dichotomies.

Jesus himself never spoke to homosexuality in a discriminatory fashion barring where Jesus in a teaching on the rapture makes what appears to be a neutral non-discriminatory reference where it read (King James Version):

I tell you, in that night there shall be two men in one bed; the one shall be taken, and the other shall be left.

but more so on divorce and monogamous heterosexual unions (within a polygamous context) but the given the cultural context of sex denying Greek philosophy versus procreation supporting Judaism which existed through to the arrival and theologizing by Apostle Paul based on his observations in Corinth of all places; a highly sexualised city and trade post where he went aid in the early development of the church outside of Israel or to the Gentiles, we must not forget though that his letters to the early saints were just that, letters! Let us remember this is one man’s set of opinions in a specific place in a specific time in the early church/ministry’s development, I dare say if Paul had an inkling that his letters would be material for theologizing or as definitive gospel he would have been far more frugal in the handling, care if not destruction of said materials. So his Romans 20 position on homosexuality in my view is his opinion on what he saw in Corinth, obviously due to entrenched Jewish culture for centuries he would not have seen open same gender love and such to say that “God gave them up onto vile affections” gay men then to lust and desire seems to fly in the face of a god who is all embracing and compassionate and would not just leave persons solely on the basis of who they have sex with to the ‘sin’ and even suggest very early reparative intent as the only option. He continued that they (gays) “did change their natural use which is against nature” plus some forty other words are the only references in the New Testament on homosexuality also in my mind imply Paul’s own abhorrence to sexual practices and socialization foreign to him prior to his dual citizenship he took up in relocating to Rome and not a definitive authority as to the rules of sexuality by God.

One can argue that how we live with and among each other is another matter in terms of how we navigate sexuality and relations but if there are no templates to guide us as the main reliant material in the form of the collection as the Bible then how do we proceed; apart from prayer, supplication and meditation alongside just basic decency can be a guide. Since the implacable folks such as Dr Wayne West want to judge us by merely worrying about where gay men puts there dicks homosexuals will never get into a traditional church if we are to go by West’s thinking and that of others such as Reverend Clinton Chisholm in his latest letter/article on transgenderism which amounts to more theocratic mischief making.

Ray Boltz 

I remember when award winning, million selling gospel great Ray Boltz finally came out some years ago and decided to remain in his ministry how it was and to some extent is still ostracized so much so that reports that his songs were removed from radio playlists in the aftermath; he still does gospel but as a openly gay man fully cognizant of god’s love and is now embraced by gay Christians. I wonder what would happen to anyone of our local gospel acts (as some of them are as one feels very little or no spirituality in their music) or pastors came out, I can imagine the isolation from their own traditionalists. The continued and indeed unnecessary discussion surrounding atheism and secularism as well has only added insult to injury, feeding a false dichotomy of gay lobbyists being non-Christian or just stopping short of being blasphemers.

The ongoing debate if not controversy not directly LGBT related in West Hills Church Canada on an atheist minister and whether she should be defrocked is on and is being watched closely. That church coincidentally has been ordaining LGBT leaders for the past seven years and sees itself more the most liberal than others. The actual church building now has no typical church paraphernalia such as crucifixes, hymnals and so have been removed; the prayer time has been replaced with community sharing time and no mention of God are in the songs and other languages have been edited but so called symbolisms have been kept. The pastor has claimed she has evolved from the traditional definition and teachings on and of God or a theistic being. Instead of engagement with her and her flock from the protestant heads in Canada a major broadside has come her way with loud voices calling for her removal; in 2009 the pastor decided to remove the Lord’s prayer and replaced with the commitment and this has also see some serious vitriol coming her way yet the establishment if going by god’s principles should be truly tolerant. Two thirds of her flock has since left. Well at least the united church in Canada has been forced to confront real Christian principles of embracing and true tolerance.

If we’re to be guided by the main principle that god loves us all then for his sake can we move on without the need to divide and other persons.

Peace & tolerance

H

Gays are welcomed! oh really now

So here we go again with this patronizing nonsense about gays welcomed business; Jesus when he walked the earth as far as we have been told did not ostracize anyone of make any special conditions pursuant to exclusion that exist prior. Are we to believe that gays were never welcomed before?The Gleaner rang loudly recently on such a conversation to include reparative therapy as the way out, when we know now that such therapy does not work:

Some local pastors are standing on holy ground on the hot topic of same sex unions, making it clear that all are welcomed to their churches, but not their lifestyles.

The pastors, who were part of a panel of religious leaders at the first in The Gleaner's series of Family and Religion Editors' Forums at the media house's Kingston office yesterday. They discussed, amongst other things, the role of the churches in a Jamaican society overwhelmed with crime, criminality and other ills.

Pastor Dwight Fletcher, who heads the Transformed Lives church, said his congregation welcomed all but it was within the realm of the church to transform lives.

"That issue is an issue like all others, because we are all broken. We all come with something. So we don't want inappropriate behaviours from heterosexuals, or homosexuals. But they can come to church. We accept you as a human being and God wants the best for you. But we refuse to accept you remaining the same," said Pastor Fletcher, who extended the olive branch to all and sundry.

"Our church is a transforming lives church. We take you from where you are, if you are willing, and transform you in the Lord to where the Lord wants you to be," he told the group of fellow pastors, reporters and editors.

Fletcher said thieves must expect to be transformed, drug addicts, and all sinners, including those of same sex orientations, because "we are going to love you anyway, but we are going to refuse to let you stay where you are."

Reverend Gary Harriot, general secretary of the Jamaica Umbrella Group of Churches, said the church in general does not settle with people where they were, but was focused on what they could become.

"Some churches have gone ahead and openly accept same sex relationships. My sense is that the Jamaican church and society is not there. But we must respect the person, the human being and treat this person with regard and dignity," he told the forum.

According to Harriot, based on his understanding of where the Jamaican churches were, same sex relationships would not be embraced, nor celebrated.

Reverend Errol Bolt, pastor of the Kencot Christian Fellowship church, said there should be no confusion about the definition of family unions, as the Bible was the leading authority on the matter.

"The church does not define family. The bible does. And God defines family as a male and female, and a male and a female with children by the Bible's standards. The church is here to represent what God says to society," stated Bolt.

According to him, the church has a responsibility to represent what God said and not what was unsaid.

"In their own minds they know that the definition of family they embrace is not that of God's nor the church and they themselves voluntarily stay away. But if they come to church, the Christians there would never turn them away," he stated emphatically.

"We are going to teach them what God says, but it is a good thing that they want to be part of the church."

Reverend Dr Stevenson Samuels, senior pastor of the Escarpment Road New Testament Church of God, said he was unaware of any church in Jamaica that openly accepted gay lifestyles.

"I don't think we should say the Jamaican churches. I think we should say the Jamaican society, because I am not sure that that is tolerated anywhere in Jamaica," argued Samuels.

The Jamaica Forum for Lesbians, All-Sexual and Gays (J-FLAG) has gained traction locally and internationally for activism on behalf of the body, even as there remains a push back from the wider society.

As Samuels spoke, there were sotto voce expressions that there was a growing homosexual population in Jamaica. He said there was a cultural bias against homosexual lifestyle in the country and the church should not be singled out as the only body unaccepting of the lifestyle.

Patrece Charles, chief executive of the National Parenting Support Commission and a devout Seventh Day Adventist, said, given the vulnerability of boys to waywardness, she would be uncomfortable exposing her sons to the lifestyles of homosexuals.

ENDS

The fact that we are still having to contend with the term 'homosexual lifestyle' says alot about who and what we are up against. 

Not to mention the mischief making of conflating abuse with same gender sex as done in the comment by Patrece Charles of the National Parenting support Commission just shows how much ignorance is to be overcome. As if gay men automatically act or operate as misogynistic heterosexual men who go after young ones as soon as they think they are ripe.

To also have such a headline screaming such that gays are welcomed suggests they weren't in the first place as sinners bearing in mind the church is supposed to be opened to all. If one is same sex attracted for example or transgender or non binary one must therefore act the fool and keep it to ourselves as some suggest in order to be legitimized and or accepted?

If they say they want to celebrate 'You' and not your lifestyle then the 'You' cannot be a fake or a shadow of themselves can they? and therefore there is a major contradictory in terms here at work. Want these church groups want then is a shade of the 'You' which includes thoughts, feelings and lifestyle.

What is meant by this repeated argument about 'tolerated?' so outward displays of affections such as holding hands and such are contaminants for passing on homosexuality!

What would Jesus do? I am sure he would not have left out or seek to ostracize the very souls the church is charged to win. Why can't one be gay and Christian as the same time? so many persons I know are struggling knowing they have the holy spirit and at the same time are torn with doctrine versus feelings and church pressure.

Sometimes I wonder if these people think before they speak.

Peace & tolerance

H

also see:
The Deliberate Misuse of the “Sexual Grooming” Term by Antigay Fanatics to Promote Their Hysteria

Men who have anal sex with women are (likely to be) gay! ..... oh boi

Disturbing Paedophile Case & Conflation of Same Gender Sex with Abuse

Promoting homosexuality? No, its about freedom of choice, privacy & tolerance 2009

Anti gay religious voices where are they? .... Pastor charged with sexual assault 2014

Survey of employers, politicians etc says 4% jump in Jamaicans 'hate or reject' homosexual relationships

According to the Gleaner today:

Gays in Jamaica can expect to face increased levels of 'hate or rejection', although many of the people who hate their lifestyle believe they can be 'fixed' through a conversion process.

Those findings are contained in the 2015 Awareness, Attitude & Perception Survey about Issues Related to Same Sex Relationships.

The survey of employers, politicians, and members of the general public was done between June and July last year by Market Research Services for Jamaica's leading gay lobby, the Jamaica Forum of Lesbians, All-Sexuals and Gays (JFLAG).

Among the range of findings is a 14 percentage-point jump in the number of Jamaicans who 'hate or reject' homosexual relationships when compared with the results of the previous survey done in 2012. Sixty per cent of Jamaicans say they reject the lifestyle compared to the 46 per cent in 2012. In 2011, the figure was 40 per cent.

When broken down into the sampling group, 61 per cent of the general public shared the view, while it was 30 per cent among politicians and 14 per cent among employers. Religion and moral concerns dominated the reasons for the strong negative reaction.

UNWELCOME FINDINGS

There were more unwelcome findings for the gay community as the level of tolerance among Jamaicans remains at 12 per cent, the same from the 2012 survey. Unlike 2012, when only one per cent among the population said they would encourage it, it was zero in 2015.

However, despite the increased unfavourable views of most Jamaicans towards homosexuality, the majority who did the survey shared the view that gays and lesbians may be 'converted to heterosexuals'.

The view was especially strong among politicians and the general public, who said gays "can just change".

For most politicians and employers, the Bible was critical to why believed gays and lesbians could be converted to heterosexuals.

They also were of the view that gay desires are born out of social factors and can be adjusted.

Questioning the inclusion of the word 'hate' in the survey, Dr Wayne West, chairman of the Jamaica Coalition for a Healthy Society, said he was not surprised by the finding that more Jamaicans are hating or rejecting homosexual relationships.

"Jamaicans, like myself, are becoming more and more aware that what we are contending with is not simply what people do in their private lives. This is a political movement. It has implications for public organisation and public order. People will reject it the more they hear of the public consequences," he argued, while raising questions about challenges to freedom of expression.

The gay lobby argues that the findings of the survey of 2015 attitudes towards same-sex relationships are "instructive".

"They show the tremendous amount of work we need to do to engender a society where everyone can feel safe and know that the laws will secure justice for them if their rights have been infringed," Dane Lewis, JFLAG's executive director, said in a statement to The Gleaner.

The same-sex survey involved a sample group of 1,003 comprising 33 politicians, 28 employers, and 942 people from the 'general populace'. It covered all parishes and has a margin of error of plus/minus three per cent.

ENDS

So it is known the crap that can happen out there and the earthy homophobia out there, but if we were to follow the throw off attempt by JFLAG's own advocacy officer although he does not identify himself as such when he writes for the Gleaner Jaevion Nelson chose to dismiss or read down those who in their own way highlight homophobia as published on March 31, 2015 as in: Jaevion Nelson: Starting A Different Conversation On Homophobia, yet here is the same JFLAG as presented here speaking on all things "Homophobia"

Oh boy one has to wonder sometimes, he must have been aware of the study or is it only JFLAG must speak on the issues? as he and others seek to instruct others as to how to proceed.

Bearing in mind JFLAG's own statistics in regards to reports:

Finally watch this symposium where parts of the article where presented in February at the University of The West Indies:

Peace and tolerance

H

WPA Position Statement on Gender Identity and Same-Sex Orientation, Attraction, and Behaviours

Background

Recent controversies in many countries suggest a need for clarity on same-sex orientation, attraction, and behaviour (formerly referred to as homosexuality).

Along with other international organisations, World Psychiatric Association (WPA) considers sexual orientation to be innate and determined by biological, psychological, developmental, and social factors.

Over 50 years ago, Kinsey et al (1948) documented a diversity of sexual behaviours among people. Surprisingly for the time, he described that for over 10% of individuals this included same-sex sexual behaviours. Subsequent population research has demonstrated approximately 4% of people identify with a same-sex sexual orientation (e.g., gay, lesbian, and bisexual orientations). Another 0.5% identify with a gender identity other than the gender assigned at birth (e.g., transgender) (Gates 2011). Globally, this equates to over 250 million individuals.

Psychiatrists have a social responsibility to advocate for a reduction in social inequalities for all individuals, including inequalities related to gender identity and sexual orientation.

Despite an unfortunate history of perpetuating stigma and discrimination, it has been decades since modern medicine abandoned pathologising same-sex orientation and behaviour (APA 1980) The World Health Organization (WHO) accepts same-sex orientation as a normal variant of human sexuality (WHO 1992). The United Nations Human Rights Council (2012) values Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) rights. In two major diagnostic and classification systems (International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) and DSM-5), same sex sexual orientation, attraction, and behaviour and gender identity are not seen as pathologies (WHO 1993, APA 2013).

There is considerable research evidence to suggest that sexual behaviours and sexual fluidity depend upon a number of factors (Ventriglio et al 2016). Furthermore, it has been shown conclusively that LGBT individuals show higher than expected rates of psychiatric disorders (Levounis et al 2012, Kalra et al 2015), and once their rights and equality are recognised these rates start to drop (Gonzales 2014, Hatzenbuehler et al 2009, 2012, Padula et al 2015)

People with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities may have grounds for exploring therapeutic options to help them live more comfortably, reduce distress, cope with structural discrimination, and develop a greater degree of acceptance of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Such principles apply to any individual who experiences distress relating to an aspect of their identity, including heterosexual individuals.

WPA believes strongly in evidence-based treatment. There is no sound scientific evidence that innate sexual orientation can be changed. Furthermore, so-called treatments of homosexuality can create a setting in which prejudice and discrimination flourish, and they can be potentially harmful (Rao and Jacob 2012). The provision of any intervention purporting to “treat” something that is not a disorder is wholly unethical.

Action

1. The World Psychiatric Association (WPA) holds the view that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals are and should be regarded as valued members of society, who have exactly the same rights and responsibilities as all other citizens. This includes equal access to healthcare and the rights and responsibilities that go along with living in a civilised society.

2. WPA recognises the universality of same-sex expression, across cultures. It holds the position that a same-sex sexual orientation per se does not imply objective psychological dysfunction or impairment in judgement, stability, or vocational capabilities.

3. WPA considers same-sex attraction, orientation, and behaviour as normal variants of human sexuality. It recognises the multi-factorial causation of human sexuality, orientation, behaviour, and lifestyle. It acknowledges the lack of scientific efficacy of treatments that attempt to change sexual orientation and highlights the harm and adverse effects of such “therapies”.

4. WPA acknowledges the social stigma and consequent discrimination of people with same-sex sexual orientation and transgender gender identity. It recognises that the difficulties they face are a significant cause of their distress and calls for the provision of adequate mental health support.

5. WPA supports the need to de-criminalise same–sex sexual orientation and behaviour and transgender gender identity, and to recognise LGBT rights to include human, civil, and political rights. It also supports anti-bullying legislation; anti-discrimination student, employment, and housing laws; immigration equality; equal age of consent laws; and hate crime laws providing enhanced criminal penalties for prejudice-motivated violence against LGBT people.

6) WPA emphasises the need for research on and the development of evidence-based medical and social interventions that support the mental health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals

References

1. American Psychiatric Association (1980). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd edition). Washington, DC: APA.

2. American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) (5th edition). Washington, DC: APA.

3. Gates GJ (2011). How many people are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender? Accessed March 4, 2016. Available at:http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/Gates-How-Many-People-LGBT-Apr-2011.pdf

4. Gonzales, G (2014). Same-sex marriage — a prescription for better health. New England Journal of Medicine 370: 1373-1376.

5. Hatzenbuehler ML, Keyes KM, Hasin D. (2009). State-level policies and psychiatric morbidity in lesbian, gay and bisexual populations. American Journal of Public Health, 99: 2275-2281.

6. Hatzenbuehler ML, O’Cleingh C, Grasso C, Meyer K, Safren S, Bradford J (2012). Effect of same sex marriage laws on health care use and expenditures in sexual minority men: a quasi-natural experiment. American Journal of Public Health, 102: 285-291.

7. Kalra G, Ventriglio A, Bhugra D (2015). Sexuality and mental health: issues and what next? International Review of Psychiatry, 27: 463-469.

8. Kinsey AC, Pomeroy CB, Martin CE (1948). Sexual Behavior in the Male. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press.

9. Levounis P, Drescher J, Barber ME (2012). The LGBT Casebook. Washington, DC: APA.

10. Padula William V, Heru S, Campbell JD (2015). Societal Implications of Health Insurance Coverage for Medically Necessary Services in the US Transgender Population: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis. Journal of General Internal Medicine: 1-8.

11. Rao TSS, Jacob KS (2012). Homosexuality and India. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 54: 1-3.

12. United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner (2012). Born Free and Equal: Sexual Orientation and Gender identity in International Human Rights Law. New York and Geneva: Office of the High Commissioner United Nations Human Rights; 2 Available from:http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/.....EqualLowRes.pdf. [Last accessed on 2013 Dec 31]

13. Ventriglio A, Kalra G, Bhugra D (2016). Sexual minorities and sexual fluidity. Discussion paper (available from authors).

14. World Health Organization (WHO) (1992). International Classification of Disease 10: Classification of Behavioural and Mental Disorders. Geneva: WHO.

The writing group was led by Professor Dinesh Bhugra and constituted Drs Kristen Eckstrand (USA), Petros Levounis (USA),Anindya Kar(India), Kenneth R Javate (Philippines)

'Tell Me Pastor' & reparative therapy again .......

Happy New Year again folks and the GJW begins with a Pastor Aaron Dumas entry in the long line of many previously wherein he keeps pushing the reparative therapy line; despite being a psychologist he goes against the DSM 5 guidelines when it comes to homosexuality.

I still also think some of the letter in the column of his are edited so much so as to get readers.

Here is a recent letter and response:

Dear Pastor,

I am a frequent reader of your column and I must say keep up the good work. I am a 20-year-old male living with my grandparents until I've finished my studies. I am pursing a degree in primary education. I am not a Christian. However, I was brought up in an Adventist household. Growing up in my community, I would say those were the good old days. I used to visit my neighbours, where I was surrounded by younger and older children and those of the same age group as I am.

At this particular house lived a sibling family of about five children, where I visited quiet often and participated in sexual intercourse. Incest was practised among these teenagers as they were three girls and two boys. Furthermore, oral and anal sex between both brothers, including myself at times, was pratised.

Pastor, that was when I were about eight years of age and it bothers me. Even other teenage boys and male cousins used to visit this household for sex. I was recently involved with a male, which I really regret. I want to stop, and I am planning on getting baptised, but I don't wish to seek repentance until I am over this unclean life. Please give me your advice. Fathers were not present in this home and the absence of the mother was because of her mental issues.

Troubled

Response:

Dear Troubled,

I hope that you will not seek to be baptised until you believe that you have experienced victory over your homosexual practices or way of life. I am in no way condemning you. Evidently, when you were young and visiting your neighbours, you engaged in sex with both male and female. At that time, however, the activities that you had with the boys did not bother you as much as the sex you had with this grown man. You must know why you are so troubled now. Could it be that this man is much older than you, or is it that you feel that you know better?

I wish to suggest that you end the relationship with this man and all the males with whom you have had sexual relations and that you seek professional help. I know that there are folks who are eager to condemn me because I do not encourage same-sex relations. I am not condemning anybody and I am only trying to respond to you the best way I can. You are not comfortable in what you are doing. Something inside of you is telling you that what you are doing is wrong.

I am sure you have been praying about the matter. Continue to do so. You may wish to discuss this matter with the pastor of your church or with a Christian psychologist. I assure you of my prayer and may the Good Lord lead you.

Pastor

ENDS

So this young man it seems was exposed to same gender sex via experimentation yet the proper advise in my eyes is that he should really see if he is gay or not via counseling and not just dismiss the issue via the suggested restorative route.

Finally I think he should be guided by this:

taken from the documentary  "For the Bible Tells Me So"

Peace and tolerance

H

Obama calls for stop to gay 'conversion' therapies

On the strength of Obama's just concluded visit to Jamaica and the national talk of LGBT inclusion in his town hall meeting appearance I decided to share this one, I guess the folks at JCHS maybe so mad at this call by Obama.

also see:

Discredited ‘Ex-Gay’ Therapy Group, NARTH, Undergoes Major Rebranding Effort

Father of gay son to religious groups: Focus on the real problem guys

Former 'ex-gay' leaders publish open letter saying conversion therapy is damaging

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – US President Barack Obama is calling for an end to so-called conversion therapies that seek to change sexual or gender orientation of young homosexuals or transgenders.

see: 

Petition Response: On Conversion Therapy

The call is in response to a petition on the White House website that was launched after the death of 17-year-old Leelah Alcorn, a transgender youth who committed suicide in December.

In a note posted online before her death, Alcorn wrote about being forced to undergo conversion therapy by her parents.

Obama said young people must be given the right to choose and live safely regardless of sexual orientation.

"Tonight, somewhere in America, a young person, let's say a young man, will struggle to fall to sleep, wrestling alone with a secret he's held as long as he can remember," Obama said in a statement Wednesday.

"What happens next depends on him, his family, as well as his friends and his teachers and his community. But it also depends on us -- on the kind of society we engender, the kind of future we build."

The online petition has received more than 120,000 signatures in the past three months.

Valerie Jarrett, senior adviser to Obama said the therapy, also called "reparative" treatment, are morally and medically damaging.

"The overwhelming scientific evidence demonstrates that conversion therapy, especially when it is practiced on young people, is neither medically nor ethically appropriate and can cause substantial harm," Jarrett said in a statement.

"As part of our dedication to protecting America's youth, this administration supports efforts to ban the use of conversion therapy for minors."

Obama has been a vocal supporter of gay rights, both on US soil and abroad and is the first US president to come out in support of same-sex marriage.

also see:

Obama Hails Jamaican Lesbian Advocate's Work

the White house statement/blog entry also had:

As part of our dedication to protecting America’s youth, this Administration supports efforts to ban the use of conversion therapy for minors.
The use of conversion therapy

The medical and mental health communities have long made clear that they reject the practice of conversion therapy, aimed at “changing” one’s sexual orientation. Recently, efforts to change an individual’s gender identity have also been shown in countless instances to have dangerous effects. More than 40 years ago, the American Psychiatric Association declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder, and in 1998 released a statement “[opposing] any psychiatric treatment, such as ‘reparative’ or ‘conversion’ therapy.” It asserted that “such directed efforts are against fundamental principles of psychoanalytic treatment and often result in substantial psychological pain by reinforcing damaging internalized attitudes.”2

Similarly, the American Psychological Association has repeatedly affirmed its stance against these practices, recently stating that efforts to change an individual’s sexual orientation canpose serious health risks to LGBTQ+ individuals. Numerous other accredited medical and mental health organizations have echoed this sentiment, including the World Health Organization, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, theAmerican Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the American Counseling Association.

Steps by states

As part of their duty to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of their citizens, several states have taken their own steps to protect minors from the potentially dangerous effects of conversion therapy. California, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia have all banned licensed professionals from using conversion therapy on minors. Since last year, lawmakers in 18 other states have introduced similar legislation.

In a 2013 signing statement for his state’s legislative ban, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie expressed that “exposing children to these health risks without clear evidence of the benefits that outweigh these serious risks is not appropriate.”3 In February 2015, a New Jersey Superior Court judge ruled that advertising a service that could change a person’s sexuality is fraudulent and violates the state’s consumer protection laws.

While a national ban would require congressional action, we are hopeful that the clarity of the evidence combined with the actions taken by these states will lead to broader action that this Administration would support.
The importance of family support

Family relationships are pivotal to the physical and emotional well-being of any child, including LGBTQ+ youth. Every child needs love, support, and acceptance to grow, dream, and thrive. LGBTQ+ youth with supportive families and friends show greater well-being, better general health, and significantly decreased risk for suicide, depression, and substance abuse.4

Countless families and guardians across the country proudly support their LGBTQ+ children. Too many LGBTQ+ youth, however, lack this support system, which can have devastating consequences. Negative family reactions to LGBTQ+ youth can be perceived as rejection by children, often contributing to serious health issues and inhibiting a child’s development and well-being.5 And when it comes to LGBTQ+ youth, some actions by family and caregivers can be harmful, despite even the best intentions.

This Administration believes that young people should be valued for who they are, no matter what they look like, where they’re from, the gender with which they identify, or who they love.

We hope that the resources below can be of use to LGBTQ+ youth, their families, and friends.
LGBTQ+ youth issues are an Administration priority: Resources for LGBTQ+ youth, their families, and friends

Bullying

In 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services launched StopBullying.gov, aimed at providing valuable resources and support to youth, parents, and community members with the goal of building a safe environment for all youth, including LGBTQ+ youth.

Family acceptance

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) supports positive dialogues between providers, families, and LGBTQ+ youth, and has developed A Practitioner's Resource Guide: Helping Families to Support Their LGBT Children to help providers implement best practices in engaging and helping families and caregivers to support their LGBTQ+ children.

LGBTQ+ youth homelessness

To advance the Administration's goal of ending youth homelessness by 2020, federal agencies have developed partnerships to create and promote a research-informed framework that focuses on improving data quality and service capacity to support highly vulnerable homeless youth, including LGBTQ+ youth, youth involved in the foster care or juvenile justice systems, and pregnant and parenting youth.

To see the Petition go HERE as per usual locally the phobic and negative comments come out as exampled:

from the Jamaica Observer

also see:

Obama Hails Jamaican Lesbian Advocate's Work

Our friends at Box Turtle gave a timely update as well:
So it appears that there is something called Former Ex-Gay Leaders Alliance (FELA) which is comprised of (not surprisingly) former ex-gay leaders. FELA has issued a statement in support of the Obama Administration’s opposition to reparative therapy for minors.

Banning reparative therapy for minors from licensed clinical mental health professionals assures young people can find solace and solidarity in the scientific community, while holding mental health workers accountable. It does not limit them, or their parents, from seeking spiritual advice from clergy. It does however, send a clear message that the practice of sexual orientation change efforts does not work, and should alert and alarm guardians of its potentially dangerous, or even deadly, effects.

As one would never send a patient to a doctor to perform unethical, unnecessary, and outdated medicine, it is time to hold mental health practitioners to similar standards. We welcome President Obama’s statement and stand with him in opposition to reparative therapy for minors, and call on everyone, regardless of political affiliation, to stand with us and put an end, once and for all, to this practice.

Signatories included

Brad Allen – Exodus International
Darlene Bogle – Paraklete Ministries
Michael Bussee – Exodus International
Catherine Chapman – Portland Fellowship
Jeremy Marks – Courage UK, Exodus Europe
John Paulk – Love Won Out, Exodus International
Bill Prickett – Coming Back
Tim Rymel – Love in Action
Yvette Cantu Schneider – Exodus International, Family Research Council
John J. Smid – Love In Action, Exodus International
Randy Thomas – Exodus International
Michael D. Watt – Love in Action
Kevin White – Exodus Books

Yesterday Alan Chambers, former President of Exodus International, gave his support to the Administration’s position.

video clip from "For The Bible Tells Me So" documentary that made it clear that reparative therapy can be dangerous

(no copyright infringement intended)

Peace and tolerance

H

flashback read:
THE JAMAICAN GOVERNMENT SCHIZOPHRENIC ON HUMAN RIGHTS ?

Restorative Therapy Advocate & Anti Gay Voice on Trial for Perverting the Course of Justice

Also see: REVEREND AL MILLER’S OWN MORAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST & ANTI GAY CAMPAIGN

Leading member of the newly formed anti gay group Jamaica CAUSE who had the June 29 rally, Pastor of Fellowship Tabernacle and a strong proponent of restorative therapy Rev Al Miller is on trial for aiding a fugitive. Sadly this is the voice that has been at it for over a decade trying to block LGBT rights of any sort even at the Charter of Rights level where he and Lawyers' Christian Fellowship founder Shirley Richards got removed the only small protection from discrimination due to sexual orientation in the 1999 draft when JFLAG made their parliamentary submission, sadly the J did not adjust their call from a full repeal of buggery to decriminalization so we have had to live with the grief all these years hence the strong opposition since.

The case has been carried by various media, here is an excerpt from the Gleaner's take:

A police sergeant yesterday testified that minutes before the 2010 capture of then fugitive Christopher 'Dudus' Coke, the Reverend Merrick 'Al' Miller led police on a high-speed chase in St Catherine after twice ignoring their attempts to stop his vehicle.

Det Sgt Winston Radcliffe gave evidence that at one point in the chase, his police service vehicle was travelling at 130mph, but still could not keep pace with the popular pastor's "heavily tinted" sport utility vehicle (SUV) with Coke on-board.

Radcliffe said when police finally used their vehicle to force the SUV to stop on the soft shoulder along Mandela Highway and ordered the occupants out, Dudus emerged wearing a black and green peak cap, clear eyeglasses and a black curly wig.

The evidence came as Miller's long-delayed trial for attempting to pervert the course of justice got under way in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court.

Miller, through his attorneys, has insisted that the police were, at all times, aware that he was taking Coke to surrender to authorities.

Radcliffe's testimony provided a behind-the-scenes look into how the islandwide manhunt ended for the former Tivoli Gardens strongman and convicted drug kingpin, who is now serving a 23-year prison sentence in the United States.

The police sergeant told the court that on June 22, 2010, he got information that led him and a team of three constables to position their police car near the entrance to the Bog Walk gorge in St Catherine. He said a short time later, Miller's RAV4 exited the gorge travelling with a Subaru Impreza motor car.

Radcliffe said his team began trailing the two vehicles before requesting assistance from police control and other units that were in the Spanish Town area at the time.

He testified that another police vehicle, which joined the trail after he requested assistance, was used to block the path of the Subaru, while his vehicle was positioned "about one car length" behind the RAV4, bringing both vehicles to a halt.

"The RAV4 SUV pulled out from behind the Impreza and continued towards the [Highway 2000] toll road. I activated the emergency equipment [the flashing lights] on my vehicle and gave chase," said Radcliffe, as Clerk of the Courts Larona Montague-Williams led him through his evidence.

He said he caught up with the SUV a short time later and used his police vehicle to block its path, forcing the driver to stop.

"Myself and my team alighted from our vehicle and moved towards the RAV4 when I observed the front driver window rolled down and the driver identified himself as 'Al Miller'," the sergeant testified.

He said Miller then rolled the window back up, "pulled away from the service vehicle, drove past it, and headed to the toll plaza".

"We drove on to the highway eastbound towards Kingston in an effort to catch up with the RAV4 that was travelling at a very high speed," the sergeant said, noting that his vehicle was travelling at 130mph, but was still about half a mile behind the SUV.

However, Miller's lead attorney, Jacqueline Samuels-Brown, challenged this claim, suggesting to Radcliffe that there was no second stop.

While conceding that he did not record the second stop in his notebook, the police sergeant insisted that it took place, triggering an exchange with the attorney.

"You know the importance of preserving your notebook for the purpose of a trial, right?" Samuels-Brown questioned.

"I don't know about preserving it for trial. I know about having them for reference," the sergeant responded.

"Where is that notebook?" the defence attorney pressed.

"I have absolutely no idea," the policeman responded.

He testified that a team from the St Catherine South Police, which was part of the chase, later used their vehicle to force the SUV to a stop on the soft shoulder near the "cane cart crossing" along Mandela Highway.

Radcliffe said Coke was handcuffed and placed in a police car, while Miller remained in the driver's seat of the SUV.

The sergeant said he approached Miller and asked why he did not stop when he was signalled to and the clergyman told him "he was taking Coke to the US Embassy as officers were there waiting for him".

The trial continues today.

ENDS

Old Clovis cartoon with outgoing Commissioner 

Lasmay's take at the time

Sadly this is the man who we must fear or wants to stop LGBT rights or recognition from progressing and even labeling us as "aliens" as he did at the Jamaica CAUSE rally meeting as carried on CVM TV

I hope they find him guilty as he obviously was aiding a fugitive escape the law of the land and his arrogance and refusal to step aside at the time from the church and other leadership positions was even more so troubling to show the lack of integrity he has and seems more interested in power and image more than dignity and truth which are supposed to be God centered principles eh.

The Observer's take: Lawyer accuses cop of lying as trial of Al Miller starts

UPDATE July 26 2014

LAWYERS FOR THE Reverend Merrick 'Al' Miller yesterday questioned a retired police superintendent about a public plea the popular pastor made to then fugitive Christopher 'Dudus' Coke to turn himself in on the condition that he had the "commitment of the authorities" that they would ensure his safety.

The questions by Miller's lead attorney, Jacqueline Samuels-Brown, were in reference to a public letter the clergyman wrote in June 2010, which was published by this newspaper during the time of the islandwide manhunt for the former Tivoli Gardens strongman and convicted drug kingpin.

"Are you aware that there was an open letter published in one of our national newspapers in which Reverend Miller wrote 'be assured that I and others will do everything to ensure your safety and we have the commitment of the authorities'?" Samuels-Brown asked retired Superintendent Wrenford Robinson during cross-examination.

"I did not see that appeal," Robinson replied.

Coke was found in Miller's sport utility vehicle along Mandela Highway in St Catherine on June 22, 2010, but the popular pastor has maintained that the police top brass were, at all times, aware that he was taking him to surrender to authorities.

Robinson is the third witness to give evidence in Miller's trial for attempting to pervert the course of justice, which got under way in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate Court on Thursday. The trial has been adjourned until September 10.

ENDS

Peace and tolerance

H