One set of vital voices missing from this article are the voices of the ex-gay survivors, the vast majority of people who once were ex-gay and are no longer. These are people who spent time, money, energy attempting to go ex-gay to find it did not work, but more importantly that it caused much more harm than good.
In the past few years these survivors has been speaking out, not primarily to bash ex-gay ministries, rather to speak out as public witnesses and warnings about the potential harm of attempting to change and suppress one's sexuality.
I believe people should have informed consent. What we don't hear in the glowing testimonies of those who are currently ex-gay is what happens to the many people who have been through these programs only to find themselves nearly bankrupt emotionally, spiritually and psychologically years later.
Not only are the people who attempted to go ex-gay harmed, but the spouses they married and the parents who too often become scapegoats.
I spent 17 years as ex-gay. I wanted it to work. I believed it would and also publicly gave my testimony. The reality I discovered for me is that change in orientation or an ex-gay life is not possible, necessary or healthy.
Instead I have found health, wholeness, peace and clarity in being honest about my sexuality and accepting it for what it is in spite of the opposition I felt in the world. Now I experience the fruit of the Spirit in a way I never dreamed possible.
Faith said to change sexual orientation
One set of vital voices missing from this article are the voices of the ex-gay survivors, the vast majority of people who once were ex-gay and are no longer. These are people who spent time, money, energy attempting to go ex-gay to find it did not work, but more importantly that it caused much more harm than good.
In the past few years these survivors has been speaking out, not primarily to bash ex-gay ministries, rather to speak out as public witnesses and warnings about the potential harm of attempting to change and suppress one's sexuality.
I believe people should have informed consent. What we don't hear in the glowing testimonies of those who are currently ex-gay is what happens to the many people who have been through these programs only to find themselves nearly bankrupt emotionally, spiritually and psychologically years later.
Not only are the people who attempted to go ex-gay harmed, but the spouses they married and the parents who too often become scapegoats.
-To read about the various types of ex-gay harm, visit http://beyondexgay.com/article/harm1 -To see how ex-gay treatment negatively affected my parents http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21xfgh... -To read narratives of ex-gay survivors, view art work, video, and more visit www.beyondexgay.com>
In this video I explain the reasons I attempted to go ex-gay. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMPnxq...
I spent 17 years as ex-gay. I wanted it to work. I believed it would and also publicly gave my testimony. The reality I discovered for me is that change in orientation or an ex-gay life is not possible, necessary or healthy.
Instead I have found health, wholeness, peace and clarity in being honest about my sexuality and accepting it for what it is in spite of the opposition I felt in the world. Now I experience the fruit of the Spirit in a way I never dreamed possible.