focus on the family gay ministry?

[sarahjane]

Could anyone tell me about the Focus on the Family gender department? What exactly is their mission? would really like some feedback from the Soulforce perspective....for a few reasons..thanks Sarah

[keltic63]

ummm, from the sounds of the crickets chirping, you can prolly guess that Focus on the Family is not real popular around here. Take a look at some of the info on the site. FOTF has a habit of using questionable research, biased resources, etc to do harm to GLBT people. If you're thinking you can get some help from them.....I'd look elsewhere.

[sarahjane]

ah crickets...gotcha, I know they are not popular here.. I understood they had a ministry to the gay community and I just wondered if anyone knew anything about it. I am not looking for any help and yes FOTF would be the last place I looked. I would guess they are trying to convert gays through this department, and just wondered if anyone had any encounter with it. No biggy....on to better things.

[SolInvictus]

To be honest, FOTF is not a recommended LGBT-friendly institution, and they run so-called "ex-gay" ministries like LoveWonOut. Facts prove that "ex-gay" ministries do not work.

[squirt07]

My school has allowed Focus to come for short segments of time these last two years. Last year, Mike Haley came and talked about being an "ex-gay", and this year, his female counterpart came. I was not convinced that she was an ex-gay but who am I to judge the heart?? I'm definitely NOT God....

[NathanATX]

Originally Posted by sarahjane

ah crickets...gotcha, I know they are not popular here.. I understood they had a ministry to the gay community and I just wondered if anyone knew anything about it. I am not looking for any help and yes FOTF would be the last place I looked. I would guess they are trying to convert gays through this department, and just wondered if anyone had any encounter with it. No biggy....on to better things.

I wouldn't say it's a "ministry to the gay community." I would say it's more like a war department, where they do everything they can to cause harm, create havoc, and grow their own power.

[keltic63]

Originally Posted by squirt07

My school has allowed Focus to come for short segments of time these last two years. Last year, Mike Haley came and talked about being an "ex-gay", and this year, his female counterpart came. I was not convinced that she was an ex-gay but who am I to judge the heart?? I'm definitely NOT God....

wait! are you saying that Focus on the Family came onto private property with the purpose of promoting their agenda?

[squirt07]

Originally Posted by keltic63

wait! are you saying that Focus on the Family came onto private property with the purpose of promoting their agenda?

Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. My school is hostile toward the LGBT community and anyone who identifies themselves as gay. For the moment, I am in the closet and so is my girlfriend because according to the school handbook and lifestyle agreement, we can be kicked out because of our sexual identities. So, we have been dating behind closed doors and off campus as much as possible.

In response to the possibility of Soulforce coming to my school, the administration has beefed up the anti-gay propaganda and heavily declared again and again the school's stance on homosexuality. Soulforce (after attending an event at a nearby church) never intended to come to my school but may be making a trip next year on their Equality Ride. If they do, I will proudly escort them around my campus (because they will not be allowed to go anywhere without an escort).

[ladyinred]

Hi, it must be hard to live in that war zone of anti-gay sentiment. Now I know why it is a toughy for GLBT youth to come out.. and having to live behind closed -doors. Whenever I sense I'm in a hostile environment, the last thing I do is tell people about me.. Perhaps that might sound cowardly to some but I call it reserved and when you are dealing with the type of people who can harrass you and do you physical harm, I think it wise to take precautions. When there isn't a support system or something to offset that environment of hostility, I think it is too difficult for people to cope alone with the animosity. Youth would be especially vulnerable in that area. Because people like Dobson are helping to fuel this cause of animosity and intolerance, you can undoubtedly see why he is not a popular man around here.. I personally would have nothing against Dobson, if he did keep his focus on the family just that ,a focus on their families,instead of worrying about what GLBT people do that is of no consequence to their own families.