kiwi_kid
01-31-2008, 10:58 AM
Hey everyone,
I recently saw this group, "soulforce" in a video I downloaded off the net called "curing homosexuality" which I believe was originally aired in australia about the anti-gay or ex-gay movement.
I'm a 22 year old Canadian "ex-victim" of the ex-gay movement. I really related to the ministries that soulforce leads. Although I do not call myself christian anymore, I do consider myself sympathetic to the christian movement combating the ex-gay movement.
My parents found out I was gay when I was 17 years old and from there onwards it has been quite the emotional battle for me. I was forced into ex-gay therapy from aged 17 to 19. My brain, soul and whole mental wellbeing was tainted by evangelistic james dobson 'focus on the family'esque ideas and literature.
Some of my most poignant memories is attending an ex-gay support group when I was still a teenager. The room was full of crying married men who had recently cheated on their wives with men. Another support group I was made to attend was one for sexually deviant christians. This included people that battled with problems from incest, rape, chronic masturbation, adultery and of course, homosexuality.
Am I bitter? Of course. The church battered and broke me into a very hollow person on the brink of suicide. Quite frankly, the only thing that saved me was constant drug use or alcohol. Which were quite nasty habits to give up.
What am I up to now? I am almost graduated (3 months more!!) from a Naval Architecture program and will soon start down the life of professionalism. No more drugs. Alcohol in responsible doses and needing to quit cigarettes. We all have issues I suppose.
My advice to someone who is young and stuck in the anti-gay or ex-gay movment?
Hold on, things get better. If you can find "God" in all of this, perfect for you. I think I lost him more or less. Yet who knows, life goes on. Don't do drugs, finish school and clean between your toes.
If you don't think God is proud of you, I am.
Cheers
Cory
I recently saw this group, "soulforce" in a video I downloaded off the net called "curing homosexuality" which I believe was originally aired in australia about the anti-gay or ex-gay movement.
I'm a 22 year old Canadian "ex-victim" of the ex-gay movement. I really related to the ministries that soulforce leads. Although I do not call myself christian anymore, I do consider myself sympathetic to the christian movement combating the ex-gay movement.
My parents found out I was gay when I was 17 years old and from there onwards it has been quite the emotional battle for me. I was forced into ex-gay therapy from aged 17 to 19. My brain, soul and whole mental wellbeing was tainted by evangelistic james dobson 'focus on the family'esque ideas and literature.
Some of my most poignant memories is attending an ex-gay support group when I was still a teenager. The room was full of crying married men who had recently cheated on their wives with men. Another support group I was made to attend was one for sexually deviant christians. This included people that battled with problems from incest, rape, chronic masturbation, adultery and of course, homosexuality.
Am I bitter? Of course. The church battered and broke me into a very hollow person on the brink of suicide. Quite frankly, the only thing that saved me was constant drug use or alcohol. Which were quite nasty habits to give up.
What am I up to now? I am almost graduated (3 months more!!) from a Naval Architecture program and will soon start down the life of professionalism. No more drugs. Alcohol in responsible doses and needing to quit cigarettes. We all have issues I suppose.
My advice to someone who is young and stuck in the anti-gay or ex-gay movment?
Hold on, things get better. If you can find "God" in all of this, perfect for you. I think I lost him more or less. Yet who knows, life goes on. Don't do drugs, finish school and clean between your toes.
If you don't think God is proud of you, I am.
Cheers
Cory