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 Former
'Ex-Gay' Leaders Apologize For 'Bringing Harm'
by The Associated Press
Posted: June 28, 2007 - 10:00 am ET
(Los Angeles, California) Three former leaders of
an international ministry that counsels gays to change their sexual orientation
apologized for their efforts, saying that though they acted sincerely, their
message had caused isolation, shame and fear.
The former leaders of the
interdenominational Christian organization Exodus
International said Wednesday they had all, over time, become
disillusioned with the group's ideas and concerned about what
they described as the wrenching human toll of such gay
conversion efforts.
"Some who heard our
message were compelled to try to change an integral part of
themselves, bringing harm to themselves and their
families," the three, including former Exodus co-founder
Michael Bussee, said in a joint written statement presented at
a news conference in Hollywood. "Although we acted in
good faith, we have since witnessed the isolation, shame, fear
and loss of faith that this message creates."
The news conference was held in
a courtyard outside an office of the Los Angeles Gay &
Lesbian Center. It was timed to coincide with the opening of
Exodus' annual conference, which is being held this week at
Concordia University in Irvine and expected to draw about
1,000 people.
Exodus' president, Alan
Chambers, said he disagreed with its critics and the
ministry's methods have helped many people, including him.
"Exodus is here for people
who want an alternative to homosexuality," Chambers said
by phone. "There are thousands of people like me who have
overcome this. I think there's room for more than one opinion
on this subject, and giving people options isn't
dangerous."
Bussee left Exodus in 1979
after he fell in love with a man who was a fellow ex-gay
counselor with the group. He speaks out frequently against
ex-gay therapies.
The others speaking at the news
conference included Jeremy Marks, former president of Exodus
International Europe, and Darlene Bogle, the founder and
former director of Paraklete Ministries, an Exodus referral
agency based in Hayward, California.
Chambers, who is married and
has children, said he and other current Exodus officials are
careful to warn those who seek help that such a path is not
easy.
Sexual orientation, he said,
"isn't a light switch that you can switch on and
off."
Founded in 1976, the Orlando,
Florida-based Exodus has grown to include more than 120 local
ministries in the United States and Canada and over 150
ministries in 17 other countries. The group has monthly
newsletters, annual conferences, speaking engagements and Web
services. It promotes "freedom from homosexuality"
through prayer, counseling and group therapy.
©365Gay.com 2007
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