Tag Archives: conversion therapy

John Paul I: First Gay Friendly Pope

 When Pope Francis earlier this month confirmed the “heroic virtue” of Pope John Paul I, he conferred on him the title “Venerable”, reminding us  of Pope John Paul II’s earlier declaration of him as a “servant of God” – the first step on the road to sainthood.

My interest in John Paul I is that there have been numerous suggestions that he may have been the first to speak up for pastoral support for gay couples – for example,  by permitting adoption by gay couples, or even for some form of recognition for same-sex unions.

My original source came from a post at  “The Gay Mystic, which I first wrote about some years ago. I’ve now done some more research, and found much more of interest.

Pope John Paul I




Continue reading John Paul I: First Gay Friendly Pope

New Jersey Court: “Conversion Therapy” is Consumer Fraud/

Right from the start, my objection to so-called “conversion therapy” and the “ex-gay” movement, has been simple: it amounts to misleading advertising. I have no objection to those wishing to offer religious counselling to gay people who find it a struggle to  live in accordance with their religions belief – but to call it “conversion” is deceitful. It is now widely accepted that one’s sexual and affectional orientation is deeply ingrained (possibly even within the womb), and simply cannot be changed. Even the “ex-gay” leaders themselves have now acknowledged it.

Now, an American court has ruled (unanimously) that so-called “conversion therapy” amounts to consumer fraud

After three weeks of trial, a New Jersey jury reached a quick verdict in the case against JONAH, a Jewish ex-gay organization sued under the state’s consumer fraud laws. The jury unanimously found against JONAH on all counts, meaning it will have to pay upwards of $25,000 in damages to the clients and their families for undergoing ex-gay therapy. Continue reading New Jersey Court: “Conversion Therapy” is Consumer Fraud/

Exodus International: Ex-Gay Efforts Are Un-Christian

Exodus International has finally accepted reality. It has acknowledged that “ex – gay” reparative therapy does not work, it has apologised for the harm it has done by insisting that gay men and lesbians should attempt to become straight, and has voted to close down the organisation – and replace it with one which is more authentically Christian, safe and welcoming to all.

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Alan Chambers and his wife, Leslie, respond to survivors of ex-gay therapy. (Picture – Advocate)

This does not come as a complete surprise. In recent years, a steady stream of individual Exodus leaders have recanted, and admitted that there are no ex – gays, only gays who have modified their behaviour, not their intrinsic orientation. This is the first time however that the group as a whole has accepted what those individuals have been saying. It is also notable for two specific admissions – that the attempts to change orientation can be harmful, and that their past approach, while supposedly based on Christian principles, was in fact profoundly un – Christian