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In Plugging New Book, Exodus' Alan Chambers Sets Low Bar For Exodus
So, "ex-gay" activist Alan Chambers admitted in an interview that he lives in "self-denial." The president of Exodus International also told the conservative online magazine, Citizen Link, that Exodus clients should not expect that "they are going into heterosexuality."
If one reads through all of the convoluted double talk, Chambers is essentially letting potential clients know that they should have very low expectations of what Exodus has to offer. Exodus is basically a support group for suppressing sexuality.
The interview with Chambers promoted his new book, "Leaving Homosexuality", which focuses on intimate details of his private life, such as his inability to perform sexually with his wife on their wedding night. More important, Chambers admits that becoming "ex-gay" is unnatural, a "hard road" and that the nagging "temptations" never end.
"The truth is, I'm in denial, but it is self-denial," Chambers told Citizen Link. "...What I've found is that my freedom, and the freedom of those who've left homosexuality, was centered around denying what might come naturally to us...here is a way out for those who want it, but it doesn't say that they are going into heterosexuality."
Clearly, attempts to 'pray away the gay' don't work and can lead to depression and even suicide. Alan Chambers was forthright when he said 'ex-gay' groups are not about 'going into heterosexuality.' I hope people will grasp this before they waste time and money on ineffective and dangerous programs.
Chambers also said, "The most important thing for someone who doesn't know the Lord is that they know Christ, not that they leave homosexuality."
I hope that Chambers' sentiment translates into more acceptance for gay Christians and religious institutions that support equality. Exodus must realize that the intolerance it preaches has driven away many gay people from all forms of religion.
21 Comments:
Nice to hear the part about not leaving homosexuality from the horse's mouth. But the point remains: why should I leave a warm, loving marriage to live a cold lonely life of celibacy just to make some homophobe happy?
Anyone who reads this and doesn't understand that this "ex-gay" movement is a big fraud is sad indeed.
posted by Merlyn, at
7/29/2009 10:00 PM
Merlyn, the ex-gay movement is bogus. When people are not born gay in the first place how in the world can they be considered ex-gay?. We are all born heterosexual. Some of us, for a host of reasons, express ourselves homosexually. Let's do away with this ex-gay crap. We are not gay.
posted by Monica, at
7/29/2009 10:46 PM
I like that fact that Alan Chambers is honest about his struggle and issues. I wish more of us would get real and share our crap publicly. I am thinking of both heterosexuals and those who are gay-identified...that we would be more honest with our sexual garbage.
posted by Monica, at
7/29/2009 10:48 PM
Chambers is simply telling the truth, which is that he is a homosexual who simply forces himself to behave as a heterosexual. This is no surprise, but at least he is being honest about it. It does show, however, that on some level, this man needs to unburden himself, and what a heavy burden it must be to live that way.
I wonder if he fantasizes about men when he is with his wife, if he is with his wife at all sexually. I don't say that to be mean; just to point out how unnatural his existence is. This is the "ex-gay" movement...you're still totally gay but you find yourself a woman and you do what it takes to have sex with her. Ugggh. Anyone who thinks this is "God's way" is sadly misguided.
posted by Chris L., at
7/29/2009 10:52 PM
You may be heterosexual, but I am happily, proudly, openly lesbian, married to a wonderful woman. If we are all heterosexual, why is Alan Chambers having all this trouble? Because people are born whatever sexuality that they are. If heterosexuality was the default template, all people would be straight without problems expressing themselves thusly.
By the way, why are you, a supposedly heterosexual woman, hanging around a gay site?
BTW, great points, Chris L.
If anything, the "ex-gay" are choosing to act heterosexually.
posted by Merlyn, at
7/29/2009 11:20 PM
Monica,are you serious? We're not gay? Since the age of 4 I realized I was different. Nobody taught me,it felt as natural as waking up in the morning. You say we express ourselves "homosexually". In other words you're implying its a "choice". FYI...its NOT, just as being straight isn't. If it were, there would be NO reason for ex-gay ministries to exist, no DADT and no DOMA because we could all "choose" to be straight. Do you think anyone in their right mind would knowingly choose their sexual orientation to face discrimination and denial of basic human rights? You're sadly misinformed if you do.
posted by Anonymous, at
7/30/2009 8:05 AM
Well, Allan, why can't you just come out and say "I'm gay!" Why all this crap about "ex-gay?" As an aged gay senior, I think that I can safely say that homosexuality is part of God's creation! It was intended! It's always been part of the human experience, and I suspect, always will be! Come on people, we ARE born gay; leave us that way!!
posted by Unknown, at
7/30/2009 11:18 AM
Monica is a troll. She's just here to try to annoy gay people with her idiotic comments. Monica, some people are same sex attracted which is the definition of gay. Being gay has nothing to do with behavior, the vast majority of gays realize they're that way when they're still virgins.
posted by Priya Lynn, at
7/30/2009 12:21 PM
You GO, Clinton! Nice to have you here! You are absolutely right. Chambers is too chicken to just say he is still gay and then go do something about it. The homophobes need to leave us alone...the reason they try to foist nonsense like the "ex-gay" fraud on us is because we disturb THEIR comfort level. Too bad.
Priya, you are right but I suspect that also Monica is messed up on many levels. You are right-I knew I was gay long before being brought out almost 37 years ago. I knew very little about GLBT people but I was/am definitely attracted to my own gender. It is truly amazing to see the amount of pure bunk some people will believe in order to keep from admitting their true needs and desires.
posted by Merlyn, at
7/30/2009 12:34 PM
I just cannot allow myself to trust one word that comes out of that twisted self hating queen. Ok? So he is basically a gay man who remains celibate because of his shame. Oh excuse me, except when he is wanking it to get it hard for whatever he does with his trophy wife. Whateva!!! And of course lets not discount the fact that there are millions of Alan Chambers in anonymous dark corners everywhere across this planet. Alan Chambers is a deeply disturbed individual who will probably be struggling with his sexual orientation the rest of his life. That's because Alan Chambers cannot get past "COCK". There are much better examples of people that can inspire me. So what if he finally gets the fact he is never going to be straight? He's fifty years of age for gods sake. This is a man that cannot be trusted because a person who does not know and accept themselves is not going to be a good friend, brother, father, uncle, partner, confidante or anything worth being associated with. Alan Chambers needs to shed the hate and anxiety and fully accept his homosexuality and until that day arrives, he can never reverse the damage he has created for gay men and women who have turned to him at one of the most fragile periods in their lives only to be subjected to self loathing, negativity and judgement; all cloaked in God of course. Surprise surprise. As Wayne alluded to early in his post, there is book out correct?Alan Chambers was always and continues to be a Charlatan. I would spit in his evil mug of a face without thinking twice and slap him across it too just to make the point that he is in a comotose state of personal disability influenced by ignornat societal norms that he willingly chose to buy lock, stock and barrel without thinking of the consequences for himself and others. So.... He better publicly take it all back or he can go fuck himself.
posted by Spouse Walker, at
7/30/2009 1:19 PM
Merlyn, you're right, Monica is deeply messed up. It takes such an individual to attack those who are already oppressed. Someone so lacking in compassion will never be a complete and wholesome individual.
posted by Priya Lynn, at
7/30/2009 1:55 PM
Monica is in denial. She needs to wrap a curtain round her face and call it gods will. Whatever she does, just make sure it is far away from me. The woman needs to be enrolled in kindergarten. It's gonna take awhile.
posted by Spouse Walker, at
7/30/2009 2:04 PM
You know, when you really think about it, isn't it just pathetic how some human beings go so bat shit over the fact that some of us, for whatever reason, are attracted to the same gender and want to be held in their arms instead of the opposite sex? I mean, get over it already!
posted by Chris L., at
7/30/2009 4:33 PM
If someone offered me one hundred million dollars if I were to live with a woman and somehow have sex with her once a week for a year, I suppose that I could try, although it would be a sad sight to behold. Alan Chambers believes in the literal interpretation of the Bible. He believes in a literal Heaven and a literal Hell. I guess getting to Heaven and avoiding the torments of Hell is his own personal version of that one-hundred million dollars.
Personally, I think it is a shame when I consider what has been robbed from this man. He goes to an Assembly of God church, just like I did when I was a Pentecostal teenager. I know how it is.
It is sad that he has been convinced that his desire to be held in the arms of another man is such a terrible thing, a thing worthy of such loathing. It is a sadness. I know that if Alan were to approach Wayne and ask for help, Wayne would help him find peace, because Wayne has done that for others, and without an ounce of smugness or "I told you so."
posted by Chris L., at
7/30/2009 7:27 PM
Chambers is waiting for the rapture that will never come unless of course he finally accepts who he is and enjoys a hot healthy sex life with a man brave enough to take on this deeply troubled psycho talker.
posted by Anonymous, at
7/31/2009 10:27 AM
Robert, your analysis of Alan Chambers on July 31 is a sad testimony of someone who is clueless. Have you ever sat down with this man and talked with him? I doubt it. Your analysis of him comes out of a hate-filled heart. And yes, I have never talked with you face to face. And so, I am making a judgment in the same manner as you maligned Alan Chambers
posted by Monica, at
8/02/2009 7:57 AM
Monica, I don't care what you say. Ex-gay ministries are about HATE, period, hating oneself and hating those who are gay. If that weren't the case, they wouldn't exist to try and change someone's natural orientation. Its nothing more than HATE.
Who are you to accuse me of hatred in my heart? I have no sympathy for the likes of Chambers and others like him for all the unhappiness he has caused for others and bogus claims he has made against us, preying on vulnerable people and making money in the process on people's misery. You can continue being an apologist for them, but as someone on here said, you're nothing more than a troll. You are the clueless one, get a grip or pour youself a huge cup of STFU.
posted by Anonymous, at
8/02/2009 11:25 AM
Monica: It is extremely obvious you are trying to elevate yourself with your ignorant comments. Only problem is that you are so off base and out of your mind on the subject of homosexuality that you should just take Roberts advice and STFU. Save your pity for yourself.
posted by Spouse Walker, at
8/05/2009 12:58 PM
