Ex-gays being harassed

[Vhayes]

I don't personally know the individual cited in the article, so I cannot attest to the veracity of his statements. But neither do I have reason to believe he's lying about being harassed for leaving the gay lifestyle. The entire argument in support of that lifestyle is the unproven assertion that those involved in it are born gay, and that it is as immutable and no more matter of choice than race.

When you see a former homosexual succeed in leaving it behind, and forming a happy heterosexual relationship--many going on to be married and have children, it cracks the foundation that the LGBT world is built on.

You really shoud read the article. The author states this about midway through:

The ex-gay community includes thousands of former homosexuals like myself who benefited from counseling. We did not choose our homosexual feelings, but we did exercise our right to seek help to change those feelings. As a registered nurse, I saw hundreds of gay men die of AIDS before I finally left the gay lifestyle.

[Vhayes]

And just to be clear, I am not questioning the authors voracity at all. I am just confused as to how a gay group could deny a former gay any of his/her "rights"? I don't understand that statement at all.

[Athanasius]

I would put those gay activists who resent ex-gays in the same boat of intolerance and injustice as those guilty of the wrongs you cited. Past wrongs do not make present wrongs more acceptable or justifiable. As I said, the core double standard issue is very uncomplicated and universal.

Like Vhayes I have to ask -- how are the rights of 'ex-gays' being violated?

[Warrior4God]

Like Vhayes I have to ask -- how are the rights of 'ex-gays' being violated?

The right to pursue heterosexuality being challenged by the gay community, I would say.

[TomH]

No one was promised rights that can't be challenged.

[Warrior4God]

No one was promised rights that can't be challenged.

Would you say this to gays that want their rights "respected" and "left unchallenged" or does this sentiment only apply to ex-gays wanting to leave homosexuality behind?

[Vhayes]

The right to pursue heterosexuality being challenged by the gay community, I would say.

Did you read the article that was linked? I can't find anything specific. Nothing.

[Vhayes]

Would you say this to gays that want their rights "respected" and "left unchallenged" or does this sentiment only apply to ex-gays wanting to leave homosexuality behind?

No one is defending an in your face challenge to anyone else.

[Vhayes]

Ok - I've read the article three times.

First off, the dateline is 07/2011. Michelle Bachmann's husband is named.

If I remember correctly, there was some sort of brouhaha over the fact that Mr. Bachmann owns clinics that claim to "get the gay out" or some such verbiage. I can go back and look if you want but you can also look for it.

I don't think this article has anything at all to do with "rights" per se, as much as it has to do with whether or not Bachmann and his clinics were able to collect Federal funding if they stood on a faith based platform.

But again, I could be mis-remembering.

[BrianW]

The problem as I see it is that these clinics use the bible and praying to help the people who come to them. They share the gospel to seekers to try and help them overcome the sin in their lives.

The gay activists hate that with a passion and claim that this is basically brainwashing and "Unethical." They picket outside the clinics, try to get them shut down and try to find the "Ex-Gays" who have went through the programs and give them as much grief and trouble as they can and that's where I think the persecution comes in.

[Vhayes]

The problem as I see it is that these clinics use the bible and praying to help the people who come to them. They share the gospel to seekers to try and help them overcome the sin in their lives.

The gay activists hate that with a passion and claim that this is basically brainwashing and "Unethical." They picket outside the clinics, try to get them shut down and try to find the "Ex-Gays" who have went through the programs and give them as much grief and trouble as they can and that's where I think the persecution comes in.

Ok. That makes sense. Thank you. And fyi, they may have the "right" to picket such places but in my opinion they are completely wrong for doing so.

[BrianW]

I agree. Then again a lot of people picket and protest things (Christians included) in ways that I think are completely wrong. The "God Hates Fags" Westboro church people come to mind.

[Warrior4God]

I agree. Then again a lot of people picket and protest things (Christians included) in ways that I think are completely wrong. The "God Hates Fags" Westboro church people come to mind.

Those clowns are such a thorn in the side of real Christians. I wish their church, not the people themselves, would just die off. Seriously.

[keck553]

Those clowns are such a thorn in the side of real Christians. I wish their church, not the people themselves, would just die off. Seriously.

Oh, I don't know. It's good to have a reminder once in a while that Jesus really meant it when He said we would have false teachers in our midst. Keeps us alert and in the Word if nothing else.

[Sojourner55]

And just to be clear, I am not questioning the authors voracity at all. I am just confused as to how a gay group could deny a former gay any of his/her "rights"? I don't understand that statement at all.

Maybe you need to read the article.

While the media look the other way, the ex-gay community is being harassed and publicly denounced by unforgiving gay activists because of our unpopular sexual orientation.

That doesn't sound at all like harassment to you?

Wayne Besen of the hate group Truth Wins Out, and other modern day Sauls, stalk and expose 'out' ex-gays in a negative light to ensure that they retreat back into the closet. Lambda Legal supports the establishment of GLBT Centers at public universities but blocks any attempt at ex-gay equal access. Corporate shareholder resolutions to include ex-gays in anti-discrimination policies are repeatedly defeated by the gay community.

The Human Rights Campaign demands same-sex marriage for gays while fighting ex-gay equality. One of their latest victories is to successfully bully the World Bank into denying funds to ex-gay charities while allowing gay organizations to participate.

The American Psychological Association adheres to a code of ethics which calls on their members to respect a person's right to self-determination. Therefore the only question about the Bachmann news is this: Should homosexuals have the right to determine heterosexuality? That is, if a gay man decides he wants to live as a healthy heterosexual, as I decided, should homosexuals have the right to veto that decision?

The answer will determine if America is to be ruled by a politically powerful minority like the gay community, or if equality and justice for all will prevail. As for me, I long to live in an America where my friends and I are not hounded by gay activists because I chose to change from gay to straight.

It sounds to me like the man is complaining not only of bullying and harassment by the homosexual advocacy groups, but also of them flexing their political muscle to hurt ex-gays. Maybe we have a different perspective of what he's saying, but it seems clear to me that the LGBT community has an axe to grind with those who choose to leave the homosexual lifestyle.