Wayne Besen - Author, Activist, Columnist, Public Speaker

Monday, August 15, 2005

Boston gay newspaper Bay Windows wrote a story about Focus on the Family's Love Won Out conference coming to Boston. The road show tries to make gay people straight through prayer and therapy. The funny thing is, there are usually no "ex-gays" at these events who are not on the payroll of right wing groups like Focus. Because the right refuses to show ex-gays who aren't on the dole I've questioned whether any truly exist. In the Bay Windows story, Focus on the Family, once again, refuses to provide real people, and not spokespersons, that claim to have gone from gay to straight. When questioned why they can't provide unpaid testimonials, the group's spokesperson got defensive and made some lame excuse about security concerns.

Melissa Fryrear, an ex-gay conference speaker, disputed Besen's claim, saying that there are plenty of success stories, but that those people often keep quiet to avoid intimidation by the gay community. "Literally thousands of men and women have successfully overcome homosexuality. Not everyone feels safe to share their story publicly because to be honest, in my own life, I have to have personal security when I travel. I could never repeat to my mother the things that are said to me," said Fryrear. "There's a lot of hatred directed towards former homosexuals, and people don't want to share that publicly."

Sounds like a lot of BS excuse making. She claims "thousands" of people have changed, yet not a single one of them will come forward? Not one brave soul who is excited to share his or her story without Dobson sticking a check in the pocket? When real success stories can't be found, I'd be pretty skeptical and wonder if such a conference is a scam.

4 Comments:

These people have thought of every answer, every excuse to cover up their fraudulent claims. If they were true, they'd share it with the APA, so far, they haven't. These are desperate people seeking desperate measures to advance their agenda. They will lie, cheat, pay anyone to bolster their claims. They know deep down they are losing ground. I'm sure if we dig deep enough we will find many ugly skeletons in their own closets. They are so transparent just like Msgr. Eugene Clark, rector of St. Patrick's cathedral here in NYC who is alleged to have had an affair with his secretary for several years, the same man who blamed gays for the damage done to the catholic church and campaigned against same-sex marriage and other rights. Its all about hypocrisy in the end. Religion deserves to be bashed.

Robert, Bayside, NYC
posted by Anonymous, at 8/15/2005 9:54 AM

And what about the thousands who went through "change therapy" in the 50s, 60s and even 70s? Why is it that NONE of these people have ever come forward to preach about how wonderful their lives were after being made "straight." The ex-gay movement has been known to use alleged results from Masters and Johnson (who were convinced being gay was wrong), that claimed up to a 70% success rate. NONE of those people, hundreds of whom must still be alive, are available to testify to their change?
posted by Anonymous, at 8/15/2005 1:03 PM

There is simply no credible scientific evidence that human beings have the power to change their sexual orientation by any method. The use of religion to wipe out homosexuality is ludicrous and fraudulent. If Ms Fryear ever reads this blog, I challenge her to present real data on her claims of "thousands" changed. We all know she cannot because she is a paid Focus on the Family hack. She is not a "former lesbian" as she claims, she is a fraud and knows it. If her claims were true, organizations such as the APA would be studying Focus's methods for use in the mainstream. They tend to stay away from it due to the fraud perpetuated by groups like focus and phonies like Fryear "gender issues analyst". Whatever that means. I would like to see a full scale investigation of these groups for fraud and misuse of donated money. Tim W.
posted by Anonymous, at 8/16/2005 12:19 AM

There were about 40 studies in the behavior modification literature in the '60s and the first half or so of the '70s in which some aspect of homosexual behavior was punished or re-conditioned in some way. The results were very weak, and not any more convincing than the every-day behavior modification that takes place from just living in a homophobic culture. As a function of that culture, I dated women (I am male), and was briefly sexual with a woman, and thus was "straight," but, no, fundamentally, physiologically, most profoundly, I was, and am, gay. Like the previous contributor, I also find it incredibly suspicious that not one of the subjects of this research has come forward about their post-behavior-modification life as a straight person. I know of people who underwent behavior modification but it rather quickly wore off; and they remained quite gay. What I really, really want to see is a converted gay-to-straight person who DOES NOT HAVE RELIGIOUS BELIEFS! (I suspect Ms. Fryrear has strong religious beliefs, and the strong beliefs go hand in hand with her conversion -- take away the beliefs, take away the conversion.) I want to see just one case of such a conversion where there is no religious or political ideology involved!! I agree that if there are "thousands" then you'd think that a couple dozen could band together and feel safe with going public. Somehow that hasn't happened.
posted by Anonymous, at 8/16/2005 2:19 AM