Homosexual activist Wayne Besen — shown here shouting through a bullhorn into the window of a Boston church — which was hosting a meeting of ex-homosexuals — is curiously called upon by the media to discuss tolerance and “hate.” Many pro-family advocates see Besen as one of the most mean-spirited militants in the LGBT movement. Besen works closely with the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Dear AFTAH Readers,
God willing, the last few weeks could go down as a turning point in the struggle against the intolerant, aggressive — and often very hateful — Homosexual Lobby in America. First, as many of you know because you participated in it, Americans rallied by the hundreds of thousands behind Chick-fil-A in what I’m calling the first national repudiation of pro-”gay” political correctness in a long time. Then, those of us whose news was not filtered by the liberal media [see this report by Media Research Center] learned of the anti-Christian (politically motivated) “hate crime” at the Family Research Council — which might have been a bloodbath had hero Leo Johnson not stopped “gay” activist Floyd Corkins from going on a shooting spree.
I used to work at FRC, in the same building at 8th & G Streets NW, in Washington, D.C., where gunman Corkins walked in carrying 15 Chick-fil-A sandwiches and 50 rounds of ammunition. It lends a whole new meaning to the term “Culture War” to realize that people you know — wonderful Christian advocates like Peter Sprigg [interviewed recently by AFTAH: see Part 1; Part 2; and Part 3]– could have lost their lives at the hands of a sexually-confused, homicidal hatemonger. (Corkins volunteered at a D.C. “gay” center — a fact conveniently left out in some major media reports of the attack.)
As you can imagine, this story hits close to home for those of us engaged in cultural battle against self-styled “queer” militants. Just last October, AFTAH, Christian Liberty Academy, and our pro-family honoree Scott Lively were targeted with a brazen brick attack by pro-homosexual activists, accompanied by a bizarre, al Qaeda-like threatening manifesto published on a left-wing Chicago website. But what happened at FRC takes it up a notch and shows the truly dangerous implications of the Gay Lobby’s fanatical propaganda campaign to redefine historic, Judeo-Christian sexual morality as “hate.” Of course, Floyd Corkins is responsible for this crime, but homosexual activists, the leftist Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), and the “gay”-cheerleading media are responsible for indulging a preposterous and evil narrative that equates Christian pro-family groups like FRC and AFTAH with racist fringe groups like the KKK.
“You will not acknowledge the freedom of those who seek change”
Homosexual activist Wayne Besen of "Truth Wins Out" viciously attacks people who have overcome homosexuality in their lives--like former lesbian Janet Boynes. To order Boynes' book, go to www.JanetBoynesMinistries.com.
The following is an open letter to “Truth Wins Out” (TWO), a homosexual activist organization that attempts to discredit the observed truth that people practicing homosexuality can change their dominating sexual attractions (and behaviors). This letter was sent to members of the California state Assembly, which is considering SB 1172 — passed in late May by the state Senate — banning “sexual orientation” change therapy (also know as “reparative therapy”) for homosexual youth. The letter’s signers are: myself [Peter LaBarbera, Founder and President of Americans For Truth About Homosexuality (AFTAH)], Wayne Lela, Founder of H.O.M.E. (Heterosexuals Organized for a Moral Environment), and John McCartney, Jr., an AFTAH Board Member and advocate with the Citizens Concerned About Media, also based in Chicago.
TWO viciously demonizes “ex-gays”; typical is TWO founder Wayne Besen’s crass and demeaning characterization HERE of former lesbian Janet Boynes as an “ex-gay fraud” and “con artist.” Significantly, much of Besen’s and TWO’s efforts are directed at denying media visibility to people like Boynes who have overcome homosexuality in their lives. You can also listen HERE to Besen’s embarrassingly unprofessional appearance last year opposite me on liberal radio host Barry Lynn’s talk show, “Culture Shocks”: in addition to repeatedly calling me “Porno Pete” (a nasty smear he concocted) on air, Besen exposes his own folly of trying to “prove” homosexuals cannot change by admitting that he hasn’t (and of course cannot) monitor every former homosexual. (Besen and his small outfit evidently hadn’t been tracking successful Chicago former lesbian Linda Jernigan.)
I wish to add, for myself personally as a Christian who has monitored the homosexual movement for two decades, that some people trapped in homosexuality HAVE experienced rapid and, many would say, miraculous change away from homosexuality — mostly (but not always) through spiritual regeneration in Jesus Christ. However, that should not be the expectation of every person seeking sexual healing and transformation. As in all areas of life, each person brings his or her own unique circumstances, struggles, beliefs and personality to the process of overcoming adversity, sin and addictions in their life. And the lingering effects of temptation, abuse/family dysfunction and indulged, habitual sin — of whatever stripe — usually last a lifetime.
Why have gay activists instigated media attention over ex-gays and the husband of Presidential candidate Michelle Bachmann?
Apparently, Mr. Bachmann, who has a PhD in clinical psychology, operates several counseling centers which also offer services to homosexual clients seeking to overcome unwanted same-sex attractions. But because even one ex-gay proves that homosexual behavior is not innate or immutable, the gay lobby’s fear of their former members results in false claims and attacks aimed at preventing homosexuals from exercising their right to self-determination. They cannot bear to have even one homosexual leave homosexuality, hence their outrage at Dr. Bachmann.
I know because I am ex-gay myself. I suffer more harassment as a former homosexual than I ever did as an out and proud homosexual.
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.
Contrary to the myths being generated by outraged homosexuals, counseling for unwanted same-sex attractions is not prohibited by any medical association. Unhappy homosexuals are not children in need of parental permission and can freely choose their own therapeutic treatment just like anyone else.
The Bachmann incident demonstrates that as homosexuals gain more civil rights, heterosexuals are losing theirs. Because gays are a wealthy and politically powerful minority, they claim access to media attention, political power and corporate influence that middle America does not have.
AFTAH in the News: ABC uses homosexual activist’s mocking slogan, “Pray Away the Gay”
Ex-lesbian Janet Boynes was shown in the ABC piece by investigative reporter Brian Ross, but he did not "investigate" her story of leaving lesbianism with God's help.
Folks, it sure didn’t take long for the liberal media to go into Christian-bashing mode against GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.). Watch this almost comically biased hit-piece by ABC’s Brian Ross — featuring the militantly anti-Christian homosexual organization Truth Wins Out. (TWO denies the reality that people can leave homosexuality behind; I call them “Focus on the Failures” because their nonsensical argument seems to be that since many practicing “gays” fail in their quest to change, transformation away from homosexuality is a myth.)
Incredibly, ABC even went so far as to title its piece “Pray Away the Gay at Bachmann Clinic?” — recycling TWO founder Wayne Besen’s mocking and bigoted attack-slogan for the idea that people can overcome homosexual desires through faith in God. Shouldn’t it have occurred to Ross to sit down with and interview a SUCCESSFUL former homosexual like Janet Boynes, who:
lives near Minneapolis, where the Bachmanns’ counseling clinic is located;
was mentioned in the story — the undercover TWO “investigative reporter” ominously cites a copy of Janet’s book, “Called Out,” endorsed by Dr. Bachmann;
is a happy FORMER lesbian who endeavors to help others out of homosexuality, and who credits God for the power to change?
Here is Part Two of my radio interview [click HERE to listen] with Greg Quinlan, president of PFOX (Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays) and a speaker at next month’s Truth Academy co-sponsored by Americans For Truth About Homsexuality and Mission America (April 1-2, in Columbus, Ohio). This pre-recorded interview aired March 5, 2011. Quinlan walked away from homosexuality years ago and now helps others do the same. He also testifies across the nation (most recently in Maryland) against legalizing homosexual “marriage” and other LGBT activist agenda goals. You’ll want to listen to the interview for Greg’s informed answers to some common pro-homosexual objections to idea of leaving homosexuality (ex-”gays”). For example, he responds to those who say, ”I prayed for God to remove my homosexuality and he didn’t answer my prayer.” (He stresses that homosexual strugglers who are committed to change can do so.)
Greg calls homosexuality a “wounding” — i.e., it develops as a maladaption to trauma, abuse or emotional wounds in a person’s life. Of course, as a very public former homosexual and one-time “gay” activist, Greg has been targeted by hateful LGBT militants like “Truth Win’s Out” founder Wayne Besen (who derides people trying to — as he mockingly puts it — “pray away the gay”). Today’s young people (and the rest of us) are inundated with “gay”-positive messages that glorify sin and undermine God’s Word. What a blessing it would be to expose a young person to the Truth Academy to hear Greg’s uplifting story in person. RSVP or make inquiries at americansfortruth@gmail.com. — Peter LaBarbera, www.aftah.org
HOW TO LISTEN: This is an mp3 file. Left click once on the link below to play. (Please be patient, depending upon the speed of your internet connection it may take a moment or two to load.) OR right click the link then “save target as” to download the whole show.
GLN leader says hopefully that Academy instructor Cliff Kincaid “could get hit by a car”
The following is video of the August 5 protest against the AFTAH Truth Academy by a coalition of pro-homosexuality groups led by the Marxist Gay Liberation Network. The Chicago-based GLN attempted to smear the Truth Academy as “teaching hate,” but the real hate came from some of the protesters — not Truth Academy instructors like Ryan Sorba (featured prominently in this video). Several Academy presenters including Matt Barber, Greg Quinlan and AFTAH founder Peter LaBarbera joined Sorba in wading into the crowd, engaging various protesters on the question of “hate.” The first video below was shot by Illinois conservative Lynn Thomas, creator of Cao’s Blog, and Janet Aldrich [a second YouTube follows the jump]:
Christians must reach out with Gospel in love but avoid “soulish sympathy” for practicing homosexuals, says Bible scholar
By Peter LaBarbera
Folks, Dr. Michael Brown gave an excellent presentation at AFTAH’s monthly dinner-lecture last week. We hope to post a YouTube on Dr. Brown’s succinct and compelling response to my question on the “Big Three” hostile questions thrown at Christians who defend the Bible’s prohibitions against homosexual conduct:
“But Jesus Christ never said anything about homosexuality”;
“Why should we believe the Old Testament says about homosexuality when it also bans wearing polyester and eating shellfish?”; and
“You Christians are so judgmental.”
Dr. Brown, a world renowned biblical scholar, hit it out of the park. He also challenged what he calls the “celebration of ambiguity”in describing neo-evangelicals’ and the “Emergent Church’s” evasive and equivocating — and unbiblical — positioning on the issue of homosexuality.
Brown specifically challenged Chicago evangelical Andrew Marin (right), founder of the Marin Foundation and author of “Love Is Not an Orientation.” Brown praised Marin for wanting to reach out to homosexuals and the portions of the book in which Marin relays personal stories of homosexuals he has encountered who have been hurt by the Church. But he was highly critical of Marin’s misuse of Scripture in interpreting verses dealing with homosexuality.
Brown said of the Emergent Church — which is much more accepting of homosexual identity, uses the controversial term ”gay Christian,” and generally scolds Christians for actively condemning homosexuality and the “gay” political/cultural agenda: “Their cure is worse than the sickness …. [they] have shown more solidarity with [homosexual] people than with God.”
“How are we helping anyone when we make the clear unclear … the unambiguous ambiguous? … How is that love?” Brown asked, calling on Christians to share the full truth of the Gospel in love. After first noting that Christians need to repent for neglecting to lovingly share God’s salvation plan with people caught up in homosexuality, Brown warned against believers falling into a “soulish sympathy” for homosexuals that overrides Biblical truth and their Christian conscience. [AFTAH will be offering a DVD of Brown's talk; write americansfortruth@comcast.net for more information.]
NARTH’s Press Release on APA Gay and Lesbian Task Force Report
As a scientific and professional organization the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) welcomes all responsible discussion and investigation into the important psychological factors surrounding homosexuality. The gay and lesbian task force report just released at the American Psychological Association (APA) convention in Toronto suggests no change in the clearly established APA policy that client self-determination is the crowning principle of all ethical mental health treatment. Respect for religious diversity demands that psychologists and mental health professionals give as much weight to belief as they do to sexual identity.
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