“The issues surrounding homosexuality have become so politicized in recent years, that it is easy for people to forget how deeply personal these matters are. We hope to change that,” said Melissa Fryrear, director of Focus’ gender issues department and a conference speaker. “Love Won Out is a conference that reaches out to those who are hurting and offers them a message of understanding and of hope.”
An brief examination of Melissa Fryrear’s media release statement for Focus on the Family (FOTF) :
1.) FOTF makes a statement regarding how “issues surrounding homosexuality have become so politicized,” and then Exodus International — which I believe receives a certain amount for operating funds from FOTF (A.S., 10/11/2006)– makes multiple statements indicating how deeply they’re involved in the politics “surrounding homosexuality.” Examples:
Representatives from the world’s largest outreach to those affected by unwanted homosexuality will join other pro-family organizations as President Bush endorses a federal amendment that defines marriage as between one man and one woman in a White House ceremony today. As the Senate plans to vote on the amendment this week, Exodus International plans to voice their concerns on Capitol Hill and says this vote is critical in the fight to preserve the institution of natural marriage.
“The lives of thousands of former homosexuals, like me, verify that homosexuality is not an immutable trait, therefore marriage is not a civil right to be casually granted to any group who demands it. Nor is it a relational right of passage to be awarded to those demonstrating a committed, emotional bond,” said Alan Chambers, President of Exodus International. “Ultimately, this debate is about nothing less than the preservation of future generations.
From Randy Thomas and Alan Chambers Invited To White House, Lobby For Marriage Amendment:
(Randy Thomas🙂 Yes, I am going to DC to lobby for the MPA (Marriage Protection Amendment) and also the next LWO is in the vicinity (Silver Spring Maryland.) We start the week with MPA, finish the week with Exodus Regional leaders meeting and then the LWO conference.
Surely at least part of the “blame” for so much politics being involved is because it appears, at least per the Southern Poverty Law Center, that Exodus International is “funded largely by Focus on the Family.” (Although FOTF and Exodus International have entwined issues and jointly sponsor events such as ‘Love Won Out’, there is question of Exodus International’s key funding sources and the distribution of honoraria from speaking appearances by Alan Chambers and Randy Thomas. –M.A., 10/12/2006)
2.) As for hurting people:
– 51 percent of lesbians and gay men in Pennsylvania reported experiencing discrimination in their lifetime
– 54 percent of respondents in a 2001 statewide survey of lesbian, gay, and bisexual New Yorkers had experienced discrimination in employment, housing, or public accommodation since 1996, with eight percent reporting that they were fired specifically because of their sexual orientation; 27 percent also reported being called names such as “faggot” and “dyke” in the workplace
– 35 percent of respondents in a 2004 Task Force survey of residents of Topeka, KS reported receiving harassing letters, e-mails, or faxes at work because of their sexual orientation, and 29% had observed discrimination based on sexual orientation seeking social or government services
– 33 percent of a national sample of members of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the National Latino/a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Organization, and the National Black Lesbian and Gay Leadership Forum reported employment discrimination
At the ‘Love Won Out’ Conference in Woodstock, what will Melissa Fryrear, Director of FOTF’s Gender Issues Department and a conference speaker, offer in terms “of understanding and of hope” to those LGBT people who are hurting from employment discrimination, workplace harassment, or being called “faggot” and “dyke” in the workplace?
My guess is that Melissa Fryrear won’t address hurt as related to employment, housing, or bullying issues, as — for example — addressing employment issues possibly goes against the politics of FOTF.
I don’t have a lot of faith that Melissa Fryrear is FOTF’s future voice for turning the politicized into the personal, unless by personal she means fallacious statements of conversion.
“The issues surrounding homosexuality have become so politicized in recent years…”
No, duh. And which ex-gay organization has been most active in politicizing the issue? EXODUS — an organization that its founders fought HARD to keep politically neutral for just the reason Meliisa describes.
“Focus on the Family” says “… homosexuality is not an immutable trait, therefore marriage is not a civil right to be casually granted to any group who demands it.”.
So by the same token I imagine they would have no problem with Catholics lobbying to protect marriage via a constitutional amendment that outlaws marriages between two people of different religions. I am outraged at the hypocrisy of religious people who demand protections on the basis of religion, ignore the mutability of their religious identities and then claim gays don’t deserve protection because they can change.
You see, Autumn, it really hurts when fundy family members can’t force their LGBT family member into the change which we all know can happen if they just pray it away hard enough.
And, the pain and rejection that fundies themselves feel when they are not allowed to publicly hate on LGBT people. Oh, the stigma!
And, when fundies are forced to hear the word “tolerance” uttered as if it is not the curse word that it is, well, this is real pain.
Melissa has come to let these people in pain know that the Dobson cares; he feels their pain! And there is hope that if they vote Republican in a month, they have the best hopes of having all these LGBT evildoers declared illegal enemy combatants, and these haters of Murca will all be non-habeas-corpus renditioned to somewhere where they cannot cause such suffering to the [self] righteous.
Let’s try to remember that XGW strives to not only analyze the ex-gay movement and their claims, but we want to be a source of accurate and neutral information for those who may be involved in an ex-gay program, are thinking about it or just have questions. These people may be coming from a completely different perspective. Many sites they find in their search are highly political and sarcastic, full of terms that may alienate them. By comparison, there are very few – maybe none – quite like XGW, where they can feel safe even if they don’t understand or agree.
We all need to keep this in mind when we post. It need not shackle our thoughts or discussion, but it would help if we could drop any unnecessary terms like fundy, wingnut, etc. For the most part everyone is great about this but we all slip now and then when we become passionate about something. Just keep our purpose in mind. Thanks.
Sorry David if I offended you, but I thought the whole point of this blog post was about an obviously political ex-gay movement (LWO), that lays voting guides on the chairs of participants (https://exgaywatch.com/blog/archives/2006/09/focus_misrepres.html) and now is bemoaning the political-ness of it all.
And as to Ms. Fryrear’s assertion, “Love Won Out is a conference that reaches out to those who are hurting and offers them a message of understanding and of hope.” Puleeze. These conferences are held to cause LGBT people more grief. The only pain they are concerned with is that of the parents, ex-gays and “friends” of ex-gays.
Crocodile tears, all!
A little satire is entirely warranted!
Sharon, you didn’t offend me, I’m just doing my job.
Satire is fine in moderation. I use it, we all do. This has nothing to do with satire. Terms like those mentioned are loaded to some people. They work on them the same way “the homosexual” or “moonbat” might work on some of us. Some of those visitors are the main reason we are here, so it is important we try to keep things as civil and safe as possible for all. It’s something that needs to be said now and then, I’m not trying to single you out. You just happen to be the one that triggered the reminder this time 🙂
Whether or not Exodus receives direct funding from FOTF, what I’d like to know is whether the Exodus leaders receive honorariums when they speak at LWO or the multiple political rallies organized against gay marriage. Does anyone know?