The London Times Slams Exodus - Quotes Yours Truly
October 9, 2008 by Randy
Filed under Activism, Christianity, Church, Culture War, Current Affairs, Ex-Gay, Exodus, Gay, Homosexuality, Lesbianism, People, Sexuality, Women, Worldview
From the Exodus Press Office …
The London Times is Falling Down . . . on the job that is
The London Times published a heavily biased article on Exodus this week and the title, The Camp That ‘Cures’ Homosexuality, makes that clear.
I was surprised to find that the organization which I have been a part of for more than 17 years hosts “Christian boot camps.” I had no idea. Obviously, we have never used such terminology and in fact, what the author attended was our annual Freedom Conference - a public event that has been held for more than 30 years.
Additional errors pervade this article including a reference to Mr. Wayne Besen, an outspoken critic of our organization, as “ex-gay” or “ex-ex gay.” He has never claimed this. Notably, Besen was afforded the courtesy of initial disclosure regarding this article while we were not.
The article also heavily quotes the author’s roommate at the conference as she discusses her heartfelt and very personal struggle with same-sex attraction. While she likely didn’t realized she’d be quoted in an international newspaper, she sums ups what we as Christians believe about homosexuality and sexuality in general well when she says, ” . . . I’d love to be openly gay and have a completely satisfying relationship with God. But I don’t know how that can be done. All I know is that it makes more sense to listen to the God who created the Universe than to my puny human emotions.”
Well said. For over 15 years, I, and thousands of others, have been living out this reality and have found it to be worth the journey! Please take a minute to share your thoughts with The London Times.
Alan Chambers
READ The London Times article
RESPOND with a comment to The London Times
I am quoted in the article …
Exodus vice-president Randy Thomas, on the other hand, delights the crowd with his campness: “Just because I stopped being gay 16 years ago doesn’t mean I can’t be fabulous,” he says. Clearly, gaydar has yet to be invented on planet Exodus.
It’s true. I am not gay and yet amazingly still fabulous … and totally humble about it. ::: grin :::
I didn’t know gaydar had to be invented? hmm… I am *really* glad we don’t have a build it yourself gaydar seminar.
Of course the above was simply a joke and it wasn’t the only thing I said but that is the luxury of being that particular reporter… she obviously had an opinion to prove and simply picked quotes that fit with her apparent writing goal of stigmatizing people like us. Plus, the article is much much more of an ambush than that one little quote.
If the Exodus Conference, or beliefs, were anything like what she describes I wouldn’t have ever gone to my first one in 1995 and then eventually, and happily, work here.
… moving on.
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