“Change is Possible” was the slogan used by the ex-gay organization called Exodus International. I use the past tense since that group is officially closing its doors. And lest you think it is just quietly going away, the organization’s president, Alan Chambers, issued the statement that he was “sorry for the pain and hurt” experienced by so many at the hands of his group.
“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.”
After I caught my breath, I read the apology from Chambers again and realized that the organization was not just admitting defeat; after working for 38 years and trying to convince people that they could change their sexual orientation the group is seeking to atone for its actions. Chambers envisions the group ree-merging as a new ministry, one that works to create “safe, welcoming and mutually transforming communities.” Now that is a group I could get behind.
Personally, I think the name is so tarnished and the reputation is beyond repair. Since the scientific community has openly repudiated “reparative therapy” for LGBT people, support for Exodus has been dwindling. Now as it closes I suspect the religious right will simply disavow any contact with it at all. I wouldn’t be surprised if the whole thing is not swept from history, at least as far as the evangelical right is concerned. Rewriting history is their strong suit after all and if they can rewrite the Bible by cherry picking verses, they can certainly make an inconvenient episode like “Exodus” go away.
Other groups may not be so contrite in their demise. The Jewish ex-gay racket, JONAH (Jews Offering New Alternatives to Homosexuality) is still promoting their “therapy” which includes “unlearning” homosexual behavior. Part of that process involves what several participants describe as stripping off all of their clothing in front of a mirror and touch their genitals as the “councilor” watched. Additionally, one of the leaders of this group admits that he is still attracted to men.
The Mormon Church has its own brand of snake oil in the form of Evergreen International. Though not an official LDS enterprise, it has been in business since 1989. To its credit this group admits that “therapy will likely not be a cure in the sense of erasing all homosexual feelings.”
Though there are others including Michelle Bachmann’s husband still pedaling the reparative therapy quackery, their numbers are dwindling and the exit of Exodus International will go a long way to healing the damage these “treatments” have caused. The American Medical Association, American Psychological Association and the America Counseling Association all note that it doesn’t work and in many cases hurts the client.
I sincerely hope that Alan Chambers and whatever group he re-emerges in can actually do some reparative therapy for the people they hurt in the past. Perhaps then these misguided attempts and vast sums of money can be directed toward liberating LGBT people not from their sexual orientation, but from the prejudice and hatred of society. Now that would be a welcome change.
