Charlene Cothran, the publisher of Venus, a magazine targeting black same-gender-loving people, recently determined that she was no longer a lesbian and has changed the message of her magazine. While Cothran wants to target the same audience (people of African descent In The Life), her new theme is how God can deliver you from being gay. This has left some of her readers – and former writers – somewhat perplexed.
Amy Wooten of The Windy City Times discussed Cothran’s conversion and the new direction of her publication as well as Cothran’s intention to continue targeting a gay audience. She quotes Cothran as saying,
“… I know that there is a connection in the African-American and gay community at large. … The responsibility that I now have is that those people that are connected to it receive a different message. I will not change the name. I have not changed the distribution points. I have not changed the subscribers who have paid for it in the past but are still getting it. We built this business over 13 years to target Black, gay households and communities and outlets. That is still where we are going, but with a new message.”
Cothran became rather unhappy with Wooten’s article, especially with Wooten suggesting that Venus had now become a voice for the ex-gay movement. Cothan rebutted on her website:
Reporter Amy Wooten and others try to have VENUS shut down by attempting, in this article, to define VENUS as a magazine re-established by and ‘now a voice for the ‘Ex-Gay’ movement,’ then using the article as reference in a letter to VENUS advertisers. I personally have nothing against the work of Exodus and other organizations like them, but VENUS clearly DOES NOT REPRESENT THEM. Wooten’s opening statements are clearly meant to harm VENUS. I have no control over the ‘Ex-Gay’ movement’s celebrating my new life, if indeed they are, I don’t know.
Yet Venus’ latest issue includes a cover article about former lesbian Carla Thomas Royster and a reprint of the article Redeemed: 10 Ways to Get Out of the Gay Life, If You Want Out.
Wooten did a follow-up story about the attitudes and opinions resulting from Cothran’s conversion and the new purpose of Venus.
Two things impressed me in looking at Wooten’s article and the feedback on the Venus blogsite. First, though in some cases dismayed, many gay people expressed support for Cothran’s right to her personal choices and decisions. The other was this within this comment:
Affinity, a non-profit organization that provides programs and services for Chicago’s Black lesbian community, is also upset by the direction the publication has taken. “This isn’t a part of why we connected ourselves to that publication,” Chris Smith of Affinity told Windy City Times.
Smith said that for years, Affinity only received one copy of Venus each quarter. But just last week, 200 copies of the most recent issue were sent to the organization.
…
Smith said they intend to send back all 200 copies, along with a letter of response. “We cannot support the direction of the publication,” Smith said.
It struck me as odd that a gay organization that had previously received only a single copy now received 200. I am curious whether this is simply a shifting of distribution points (something Cothran has said she did not do) or whether this is the result of a ramping up of production.
For a magazine of Venus’ size, the largest expenditure – by far – is printing cost. If there was an increase in production in proportion to the increase of magazines received by Affinity, this clearly would have required a huge investment of funds.
Another item of note is that on the Venus blogsite a person identified as “Editor” is DL Foster, an ex-gay activist best known for his hostile hateful attitude (some here may recall the meep-meep comments) and his stirring up of anti-gay attitudes in the Carribean. Foster is also listed as one of Cothran’s spiritual mentors.
Should Wooten follow up further on this story, she might want to inquire whether Cothran has received new funding as a result of her new-found ex-gay identity and also inquire as to her relationship with this speaker for Exodus Global. It is possible that such questioning may expose a conflict with her claim not to be a voice of the ex-gay movement.
Huh? DL Foster is now the editor of a woman’s magazine based in NJ?!
It does appear that D.L. is signed as an “Editor” for the blog but not necessarily for the magazine.
I’m interested to see a copy of the magazine — if Cothran is the Publisher, then who are the various editors and writers, and who are the magazine’s corporate owners?
Cothran (or her personal business) also appears to be the owner.
In a World of constant change it’s good to see some things never do: DL is plainly up to his old tricks; and as hostile, rude and toxic as always.
What a black and white World he lives in (no pun intended). That we could all be so aggressively full of ourselves.
On second thoughts: no, that would be awful.
And this quote I like:
“Her personal decision should not become a public cry for the rest of us.”
The conversion process described reminds me of Larry Flint. He took Hustler in a different direction and confused readers and writers. His magazine went back to its roots, but I suspect this magazine, Venus, will probably just lose readers. I say though that if she wants to go in that direction, cool. I am sure the exgay movement needs a magazine of some sort. But associating the “born that way” idea with white gays is somewhat disturbing.
I do think that women are more likely to experience more change and make more choices in sexuality than men. I have read studies that suggested men have a more fixed sexuality, but again, everyone is different. Nevertheless, I am never surprised when a female changes sexuality (Ann Heche anyone?), and I have known lesbians who said that they liked men primarily but for political reasons, they consider themselves lesbians (one was my boss in fact). Doesn’t Paglia say the same thing? Yet, males don’t generally seem to have that fluidity. While I have had friendships and relationships with women (and that included sex), I have never once ever felt sexual feelings or had dreams or attractions towards females. Not once, and I doubt I could ever have genuine sexual feelings for females. I have seen more female nudity than most straight and gay males combined, and I find it beautiful and interesting, but no sexual feelings. My spouse has absolutely no sexual feelings either towards females, but he is even more extreme in his lack of feelings than me (I am a Kinsey 6 and he is a 6+++). My straight male friends also seem to have the same very strong feelings that they have never experienced male sexual attraction either. So, good for Cothran, but her conversion does not surprise me in the least.
DL Foster was delighted to report on this on his website. Indeed, he considered it a huge victory that another person had found god and the conviction to change and do so very publicly.
I don’t remember if he’d mentioned any direct work with her, but I’m not surprised. He’s stated his firm support of every columnist who was supportive of ex gay ministry and therapy. But those same writers were anti gay as well.
I’ve noticed that some religious folks love to scold and upbraid, as if they are now so holy and above reproach.
It seems like that culture is very much more engaged in the fantasy of a vengeful and violent God…especially if a smiting of a gay person (or the gay friendly and supportive) is the most likely occurance.
But of course, that’s not left up to God.
But his gleefully self appointed enforcers.
But I digress.
Aaron is correct when it comes to women. But a good deal of that has to do with what the culture expects and accepts in women.
Mostly the expectations are low, and certain types of physical contact among women is more acceptable in the public mind.
Women are subject to the same double standards that homosexuals in general are.
If there is emotional and psychological exhaustion among gays and lesbians, this should be expected.
This is a calculation by straight people that this happen. Can I safely assume that compatibility among gay people would be a lot harder, since there a much less of you to go around?
With many more straight people to choose from, and many straight people assuming they have the power to ‘turn’ a gay person, I’m not surprised at this woman’s change of heart, and the eagerness of ex gays to embrace her now.
However…what it takes to fully and completely convince us and the public is going to take much more intrusive questioning and observation.
Which obviously the ex gay aren’t willing to expose.
It’s other gay people’s lives they love to tattle on and lie about.
Which is what makes anyone’s claim, of being converted hard to trust.
But it makes ex gays harder to trust as honest and respectful neighbors.
In other words…it’s as if the conversion is another way to sharpen a knife with which to stab the next gay person’s back.
Charlene must be trying to get on the wingnut ex-gay gravytrain cause you know its been so good to folks like Ted Haggard. I have seen her at enough gay pride events to seriously doubt that she has now given up her affection for woman.
Bloggernista, we appreciate your participation but please avoid emotionally charged labels such as “wingnut” while posting. Thanks.
Notice the MSM is ignoring her choice to change? and the Pro-gay groups are ripping her apart?
Sad indeed the lack of tolerance from the so called tolerant folks!
Moderator Note (DR): Post deleted as off-topic, entirely quoted from outside sources and soapbox monologue.