Wayne Besen is reporting the following email reply from Alan Chambers of Exodus International concerning the recent posts by DL Foster.
I just emailed DL and asked him to retract his statement and to apologize. There is plenty we can disagree on without attacking one another.
I pray that DL will take my advice and make amends.
Regards,
Alan Chambers
Exodus International
Randy Thomas has also commented about the situation on his own blog. His apparent surprise at DL’s behavior is curious, as this is standard operating procedure for him. Judge for yourself, but he does seem to be genuinely offended by the post, although in a way that won’t be taken as “gay affirming”.
While it is certainly gratifying that Exodus is in some measure lodging disapproval of such vitriolic, hateful and racist comments, it has been a long time in coming. DL has made no attempt to hide what he says and that almost always falls along the same lines. In other words, this latest outburst of hate should not really be such a surprise to anyone. Still, we are happy to see Alan Chambers and Randy Thomas make the attempt.
We can only wonder where PFOX stands in all of this. Their site still lists Foster as a resource, describing him as one who “… work(s) diligently to raise awareness in the Black community on the need for holistic ministry to affected individuals as well as their families.” Will they stand against Foster’s message which compares Wayne Besen to Adolf Hitler, his framework to expose fraud to The Final Solution? We eagerly await their comments to find out.
For the record, DL claims Executive Board membership with both PFOX and Exodus Global Alliance, but we have so far been unable to verify either claim.
UPDATE: DL has responded to the calls for an apology, and it is to the surprise of no one that it is not forthcoming.
Any apology after this point would be forced and insincere.
I believe it’s time for Exodus Global Alliance and PFOX to bar the man from their board meetings, conferences and referrals — and express regret for their past support of an ill-tempered soul who has demonstrated little respect for human dignity at home, nor for human rights abroad.
Question is, which “man” am I talking about? D.L. Foster — or Peter LaBarbera? Both use similar vitriolic rhetoric, and both support the theocratic, neo-fascist and sometimes-racist Constitution Party.
DL has learned that the best way to get attention is to use the most extreme language possible. Is there really that much of a difference between him and Fred Phelps, a person Exodus has repudiated time and again? My guess is that DL is trying to make a name for himself and get on CNN, since insane, borderline psychotic behavior seems to a time-tested route.
So what do you think that DL would do if Wayne Bensen were to post a photo of DL complete with a big bushy afro and a bone stuck through his nose – or perhaps grinning inanely with a huge piece of watermelon in his hands?
Of course, Wayne has way too much class to stoop so low. Obviously DL doesn’t.
DL’s assertion that Bensen and other “homosexual activists” are a “threat” to his free speech or to the practice of his religion is absurd. DL’s right to free speech and to his religion are protected in the US Constitution. No matter how stupid DL’s comments or beliefs may be, he is entitled to them. Further, to assert that Bensen is as much a threat to DL as was Hitler to the Jews is again hyperbolic and outright false.
DL’s other assertion that Wayne (or any of us) have “bloodthirsty hate” towards “ex-gays” is also absurd. We don’t hate the confused homosexual, rather we hate the methods that others use to abuse them!
The truth will win out in the end. The whole “ex-gay” movement is a fake, a fraud, and in fact really little more than moneymaking ventures that prey upon the bias and hatred of fundamentalist/evangelical “Christians” for gays and lesbians. Few if any “ex-gays” remain in the program. Many of the leading members of the various “ex-gay” programs have left to resume their normal, homosexual lives – including some who were instrumental in creating Exodus and other groups.
Too bad for DL that he never developed the emotional and spiritual maturity to accept his sexuality and to embrace it. Instead he opts for a life of deceit and vents his frustrations at the rest of us who accept and enjoy who we are. There is still hope for DL – it is not too late! Here’s hoping that DL sees the light and can live his life openly and proudly as the man who he is, instead of masquerading as the man he thinks that he ought to be.
Randy Thomas did write a good response. But I see this morning he has retracted some of it. Which is too bad…
Not surprisingly, DL has blocked all objecting responses to his churlish attacks on Wayne, including those from ministries affiliated with Exodus.