'Change is Possible' Campaign Launched by Liberty Counsel, PFOX

[schoolboi]

Recieved the following notice from Mission America today:

News Advisory

Liberty Counsel and Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays Launch the
Year-Round "Change is Possible Campaign"

Virginia - Liberty Counsel and Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays ("PFOX")
have kicked off their joint "Change is Possible Campaign." Liberty Counsel is a
national public interest law firm with offices in Florida and Virginia and
hundreds of affiliate attorneys in all fifty states. PFOX is a national
organization that supports families touched by homosexuality, advocates for the
ex-gay community, and educates the public on sexual orientation.

In the past several years, as "tolerance" and "diversity" have become popular
buzzwords, there has been a corresponding increase in discrimination and
intolerance toward those who have made the decision to leave homosexuality.
Former homosexuals have lost their jobs and been physically assaulted because
they dared to tell others that people can and do overcome same-sex attractions.
Most disturbing is the willingness of homosexual activists to use our youth to
advance an agenda. Throughout America's public schools, staff display
"Safe-Zone" stickers with pink triangles, and schools hold diversity days to
present the message that people are "born gay," but schools consistently exclude
the message that people can, and have chosen, to change. Given the health risks
associated with same-sex behavior, our youth deserve to know that unwanted
same-sex attractions can be overcome.

To help students bring this life-saving and life-changing message to their
schools, PFOX and Liberty Counsel are encouraging students to take a "Tolerance
Test" at http://lc.org/cipc/CIPC_tolerance_test.htm Students are asked to
distribute literature and put up posters with the message that ex-gays exist,
and then report to us the results of their efforts. We also encourage them to
start Gay to Straight Clubs, and ask that the ex-gay viewpoint be included in
all diversity day presentations that discuss homosexuality. We provide the
students with a Students' Rights Brochure, sample graphics to use to create
their own literature, health statistics, and a list of organizations that affirm
a person's decision to leave homosexuality.

Regina Griggs, Executive Director of PFOX, stated: "Far too many confused
adolescents experience unwanted same-sex attractions and are told that they must
adopt a gay identity. This program will provide them hope, support, and the
facts to achieve their goal of overcoming unwanted same-sex attractions because
change is possible. Students will also learn to respect others who have chosen
to not adopt a gay identity."

Mathew D. Staver, President and General Counsel of Liberty Counsel, stated: "We
are confident that this project will help root out intolerance that exists under
the guise of tolerance and diversity. There is an ongoing battle over the hearts
and minds of our youth. We have an obligation to protect them from the harmful
message that people are "born gay" and cannot choose to change."

###

Mathew D. Staver, Esq.
Liberty Counsel
PO Box 540774
Orlando, FL 32854
800-671-1776


Regina Griggs

Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays
PFOX
Box 561, Fort Belvoir VA 22060
703-360-2225
www.pfox.org
PFOX_News@verizon.net



A copy of this advisory is available online at:

http://www.pfox.org/asp/newsman/templates/newstemplate.asp?articleid=267&zoneid=2

[keltic63]

Recieved the following notice from Mission America today:

News Advisory

Liberty Counsel and Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays Launch the
Year-Round "Change is Possible Campaign"

Virginia - Liberty Counsel and Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays ("PFOX")
have kicked off their joint "Change is Possible Campaign." Liberty Counsel is a
national public interest law firm with offices in Florida and Virginia and
hundreds of affiliate attorneys in all fifty states. PFOX is a national
organization that supports families touched by homosexuality, advocates for the
ex-gay community, and educates the public on sexual orientation.

In the past several years, as "tolerance" and "diversity" have become popular
buzzwords, there has been a corresponding increase in discrimination and
intolerance toward those who have made the decision to leave homosexuality.
Former homosexuals have lost their jobs and been physically assaulted because
they dared to tell others that people can and do overcome same-sex attractions.
anecdotal or documented?

Most disturbing is the willingness of homosexual activists to use our youth to
advance an agenda. Throughout America's public schools, staff display
"Safe-Zone" stickers with pink triangles, and schools hold diversity days to
present the message that people are "born gay," but schools consistently exclude
the message that people can, and have chosen, to change. Given the health risks
associated with same-sex behavior, our youth deserve to know that unwanted
same-sex attractions can be overcome. "let's accuse them of preying on our youth....."


To help students bring this life-saving and life-changing message to their
schools, PFOX and Liberty Counsel are encouraging students to take a "Tolerance
Test" at http://lc.org/cipc/CIPC_tolerance_test.htm Students are asked to
distribute literature and put up posters with the message that ex-gays exist,
and then report to us the results of their efforts. We also encourage them to
start Gay to Straight Clubs, and ask that the ex-gay viewpoint be included in
all diversity day presentations that discuss homosexuality. We provide the
students with a Students' Rights Brochure, sample graphics to use to create
their own literature, health statistics, and a list of organizations that affirm
a person's decision to leave homosexuality. "while we are the ones using the youth to promote our own, misinformed agenda."

Regina Griggs, Executive Director of PFOX, stated: "Far too many confused
adolescents experience unwanted same-sex attractions and are told that they must
adopt a gay identity. This program will provide them hope, support, and the
facts to achieve their goal of overcoming unwanted same-sex attractions because
change is possible. Students will also learn to respect others who have chosen
to not adopt a gay identity." "don't pay any attention to the valid, reliable research that says otherwise."

Mathew D. Staver, President and General Counsel of Liberty Counsel, stated: "We
are confident that this project will help root out intolerance that exists under
the guise of tolerance and diversity. There is an ongoing battle over the hearts
and minds of our youth. We have an obligation to protect them from the harmful
message that people are "born gay" and cannot choose to change." "and while we're at it, let's use their words against them."



OK, now that I got all the smarta$$ out of my system. How very sad this is! Once again, instead of paying attention to sound research, and looking at the programs that offer students a safe place as a good thing, they wish to subject lgbt students to more harassment, because it's for their own good. Nonviolence tells me that this group has misinformation. Unfortunately, they are using that misinformation to do spiritual violence against lgbt students.

[NonLemming]

Oh, sweet Jesus, protect me from your followers!!!!

[Zerbie]

Sounds like a load of cr*p. This press release is just another example of the pot masterfully calling the kettle.

I don't know where on earth they get that ex-gays are being harassed or hurt. If I find that to be true, I'll be mighty pissed off, but it sounds like simply another case of the abuser crying victim when they are not permitted to distribute hate propaganda or harass LGBT people into expensive ex-gay money making industries.

[schoolboi]

This announcement from the Liberty Counsel and PFOX is a perfect example of what the right does best. They know how to frame an issue. Here is a simple definition of what framing is: taking an issue or situation and talking about it in a way that makes you look like the good guy and your opponent look like the bad guy. Here are some other examples of framing by the right: “Clean Water Act” (rather then we are going to pollute the water act), “Clean Air Act” (rather then we are going to pollute the air act), “Operation Iraqi Freedom” (rather then operation invade Iraq for no good reason), “family values”, “Homosexual Agenda”, “special rights”, and the list could go on and on.

Right now we have the upper hand. The tide on the issue of reparative therapy could change very quickly if their frame takes. Yes we have research on our side, but in this battle having the facts is not all we need to win. We must have a clear message (a solid frame) that keeps discussion of this issue in a positive light for us and a negative light for them.

I am not sure exactly what are frame needs to look like. You can see theirs coming at us in several ways. Exodus new tag line on everything they publish is “change is possible” (emphasis theirs), and the resent documentary “I Do Exist” promoting exgay therapy. As a survivor of exgay therapy this is a very important issue to me. I know there are far more of us who have tired and it did not work then those for whom it has “worked”. We must be vocal.

BTW- Don't Think of an Elephant: Know Your Values and Frame the Debate--The Essential Guide for Progressives (http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=br_ss_hs/102-1066816-2965749?platform=gurupa&url=index%3Dblended&keywords=don%27t+think+of+an+elephant)<- this is a must read on framing! Buy it at this link and support soulforce!

[NathanATX]

Brilliant.

I just purchased www.loveispossible.com (http://www.loveispossible.com).

Coming soon, a powerful consortium of knowledge & faith that will speak clearly to the self-serving, soul-damaging rhetoric of the religous right's "ex-gay" programs.

[schoolboi]

Nathan,

You are to much! Let me know what I can do to help!

[themattperry]

http://www.exgaywatch.com/blog/index.html

I found this blog interesting on this issue.

[NathanATX]

Matt, that's a great site. I think I'll get a feed of their blog on my main page.

I think I want to have five main areas of focus:

Love is possible for you: Calling glbt people, their families & churches to high standard of love and integrity
-A plan for the glbt person
-A plan for parents
-A plan for churches

GLBT people who love their lives: Past & Present
-testimonies, letters, videos, etc., from REAL people who live authentic & open lives of integrity and love
-families healed
-churches healed

Faith & Sexuality: The Church is getting it right
-soulforce videos
-letters from church leaders
-mainline denominational champions
-links to other sites like www.truthsetsfree.net
-GLBT people of faith & how they reconciled these issues
-programs & lists of welcoming churches
-blogs, blogs & more blogs
-non-Christian religious perspectives

Sexuality Info
-Basic info from psychological/medical community
-Debunking flawed "studies"
-Exposing the emotional/mental health risks of "ex gay" conversion programs.

Exposing "Ex Gay" Programs
-Personal, verifiable testimonies of ex ex-gays
-exgaywatch.org blog feed
-Sexuality & Politics: using the church's homophobia as a pawn for political gain
-Exposing Conflicts of Interest: who is really behind exgay programs?

[themattperry]

sounds exciting!

[Vanessa White]

Great overview of the topics at hand, nate. Thanks for your initiative on this! Vanessa

[Emproph]

This is a short article which pretty much sums up the issues on this, lack of statistics, how their definition of "change" is often just being celibate, how they use anecdotal "evidence," etc.

Many of the Ex-gays being paraded around are nothing more than gay people not having sex or bisexuals like Mike Haley of FOF.

http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/reparative_therapy.html

[ExgayBiz]

SoulForce did the same thing a ACU.


This announcement from the Liberty Counsel and PFOX is a perfect example of what the right does best. They know how to frame an issue. Here is a simple definition of what framing is: taking an issue or situation and talking about it in a way that makes you look like the good guy and your opponent look like the bad guy. Here are some other examples of framing by the right: “Clean Water Act” (rather then we are going to pollute the water act), “Clean Air Act” (rather then we are going to pollute the air act), “Operation Iraqi Freedom” (rather then operation invade Iraq for no good reason), “family values”, “Homosexual Agenda”, “special rights”, and the list could go on and on.

Right now we have the upper hand. The tide on the issue of reparative therapy could change very quickly if their frame takes. Yes we have research on our side, but in this battle having the facts is not all we need to win. We must have a clear message (a solid frame) that keeps discussion of this issue in a positive light for us and a negative light for them.

I am not sure exactly what are frame needs to look like. You can see theirs coming at us in several ways. Exodus new tag line on everything they publish is “change is possible” (emphasis theirs), and the resent documentary “I Do Exist” promoting exgay therapy. As a survivor of exgay therapy this is a very important issue to me. I know there are far more of us who have tired and it did not work then those for whom it has “worked”. We must be vocal.

BTW- Don't Think of an Elephant: Know Your Values and Frame the Debate--The Essential Guide for Progressives (http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=br_ss_hs/102-1066816-2965749?platform=gurupa&url=index%3Dblended&keywords=don%27t+think+of+an+elephant)<- this is a must read on framing! Buy it at this link and support soulforce!

[keltic63]

SoulForce did the same thing a ACU.

back up your claims, please.

[Emproph]

One thing I’ve been wanting to do is to start cataloging their responses or non-responses when informed of/asked about the misrepresentations and deceptive claims they make.

From above:
Former homosexuals have lost their jobs and been physically assaulted because they dared to tell others that people can and do overcome same-sex attractions. -Now that’s classic, in other words PFOX doesn’t like it when other people don’t like having religious beliefs shoved down their throats. The presentation of victimization is the LIE."Far too many confused adolescents experience unwanted same-sex attractions and are told that they must adopt a gay identity.”(Adopt-choose to take up or follow. Accept-regard favorably or with approval -The “slight” is slight, but profoundly present.)
-So gay adolescents are “told that they must adopt a gay identity.” or "Because you are that way, you should GO OUT OF YOUR WAY to be that way," or "gays are 'told' to be gay."
Even if we were delusional, would you want HER teaching your child about “truth.”

Some examples from PFOX:
-Each year thousands of men and women with same sex attractions make the personal decision to leave homosexuality. = No stats to back up the implication that they are all now ex-gay.

-No one is born gay. All scientific studies, including those by gay scientists, have not found any gay gene or gay brain center. Absence of any evidence is the “proof” used to conclude that “No one is born gay?” So science is used to legitimize the MOST unscientific method of determining truth, ASSUMPTION. Not to mention that the entire basis of their motives are based on the bible, which discludes science as legitimate source of information, just look at the "myth" of evolution.

-If no one is born gay, how can you be ex-gay?
-And why would straight people who are now straight define themselves solely by their ex-nonexistent gayness?
-And how is celibacy considered being ex-gay, wouldn’t that be just a glorified version of ‘abstinence only education?’
{We'll explore these questions and many more next week on the continuing saga of "The Emproph diatribes" :D}

I could rip those sites apart. Essentially there’s really nothing we need to frame, all we need to do is point out how they are deceptively framing the issue.

-And we have an endless supply of material. :cool:

[ExgayBiz]

SoulForce activist know how to spread homosexual propaganda. They have done a good job of it. The sad thing is, they will help alot of folks have no hope of heaven.

back up your claims, please.

[keltic63]

SoulForce activist know how to spread homosexual propaganda. They have done a good job of it. The sad thing is, they will help alot of folks have no hope of heaven.

so you really have no sources for your claims? it's just because you say so?

[Joe Brummer]

Isn't it rather interesting that if there is a movie about our lives, it is propaganda. If we replace the flawed science with truthful science, it is proapanda. If we object to the lies about our lives and speak out, it is propaganda.

Of course those that call it propaganda are the ones using flawed research, misused and misrepresented research and deceoption by omission tactics to silence us by saying everytime we speak out at all that it is propaganda.

The truth is the truth and that is that we are not the ones with the propaganda.

[NonLemming]

Another one has found no a way, but THE only way to heaven. Well, praise Jesus and pass the crack pipe. This stuff really messes people up.

Oh, I meant pass that pipe right by me, ......I'll pass.

[schoolboi]

SoulForce did the same thing a ACU.

Well I hope we did, and what I am trying to say is that we need to continue to do it. We must learn to do it better. We need to take control of the conversation not always be answering the claims of the adversary.

[Joe Brummer]

Well I hope we did, and what I am trying to say is that we need to continue to do it. We must learn to do it better. We need to take control of the conversation not always be answering the claims of the adversary.



Well said.

And we shouldn't be answering the same ole claims. The debate does need to be over. Our humanity, and rights should not be up for a debate. We should be dialoging with our adversary on how to make things work for both of us. A win-win answer. That is the real spirit of nonviolence.