Peterson Toscano reports that former ex-gays Christine Bakke and Darlene Bogle will host a public conference call tomorrow, August 7, to talk about their experiences in the ex-gay movement and answer questions.
As Toscano explains, “many ex-gay survivors have come forward and several sites offer thoughtful analysis of the ex-gay world, but we have heard precious little from the women who once partook of ex-gay treatment and have since come to accept their lesbian or bisexual side.”
Details for those who wish to participate in the conference call:
Thursday, August 7th, 5pm Pacific/8pm Eastern
1. Dial-In Conference Number 1-218-486-1300
2. Access Code: 807282
Questions can be emailed in advance to info@godandgaysthemovie.com.
As I told Peterson earlier, I think the ex-gay movement is connected with that disease in Christianism (not to be confused with Christianity) that devalues the feminine and female sexuality. It’s no surprise, therefore, that the movement has even less for women than it does for men and that female experiences would be devalued in it. (I remember being very surprised to read that I, as a woman-loving woman, was sexually abused and neglected as a child and that my relationship doesn’t really have a sexual component, for instance.) So I am glad that Christine and Darlene are sharing their experiences, and that they are mobilizing.
Ultimately it’s that disrespect for females and things that are feminine in general that leads to the disrespect for homosexual men – because even if you ARE a “normal” guy, you are still considered “womanly.” Which to a man, is an insult.
I regret that I missed the conference call. I would hope that exgaywatch would post the audio tomorrow.
Emily K is on very much on target. If anyone goes to a discussion of homosexuality on any website the main focus is the ridicule of male homosexuality.
The foundation of ex-gay ideology is gender stereotyping – which of course they claim is God-ordained and “natural.” [If something is “natural,” why do they have to enforce it with threats of eternal damnation?]
Ex-gay men are encouraged to dominate their wives (and marriage is seen as part of the healing process); and ex-gay women are encouraged to let their husbands dominate them.
Yuck.
If you want to read a particularly heinous version of this way of thinking, see the books by Gerard van den Aardweg, who was once on NARTH’s advisory Board (he may still be).
No wonder the movement is made up of fewer women than men (oh, except all the support groups for wives of ex-gay men).
But of course, women-loving women also don’t need civil rights, only to find Jesus and change (because after all, unlike religion, our minority status is changeable).
How weird that this retrograde nonsense is foisted on ex-gays when even many heterosexuals are rejecting it in some way or another.
I remember a woman who heads the organization that is support for spouses of gay folks was a guest speaker at our PFLAG meeting. I think ‘network’ is in their org name.
Our very own Pam Ferguson would be great as a representative also, because her feelings and outreach ARE truly compassionate.
There’s a difference between giving support for the bewildered, or maybe not so, spouse of someone gay, and exploiting it to say how bad gay people are.
And THIS after the entire movement about being ex gay virtually rests on marrying the opposite sex, and presumably someone heterosexual!
Talk about something working at cross purposes!
This is why the whole ex gay thing comes down to not making any sense really.
Attraction isn’t rocket science. Pam and T-Dub went through a LOT of practice, recriminations, regrouping and advice seeking during their marriage.
Attraction doesn’t require all these disciplines and instruction and difficulty in practice (or no practice SHOULD be required).
As human beings, we do like we do…and it should be FUN and so uplifting, you practically are carefree as you get on with being in love and supporting each other.
The ex gay thing sounds like as much struggle as having same sex attraction is to these people.
A heterosexual doesn’t seem to want to appreciate why it would take so much, let alone be willing to go through the ‘process’ they demand of gay folks.
Not even a little bit.
Not even considering the ridiculous ways that gay people have to submit and expose themselves to such disciplines.
To me, I see a tremendous loss of dignity. I hate hearing what my gay friends (like Petersen) and his wife went through.
Or Pam and her husband.
The efforts of Beyond Ex Gay is another kind of exposure all over again, but I see the courage there, more than what I consider in someone EX gay.
I would like to, but knowing that it doesn’t seem so much choice or free will.
Sometimes it seems like resignation, or experimentation with the ex gay doctrine.
Attraction itself is the EASY part. What is normal for an individual IS easy.
For a person to go through so much JUST to be ATTRACTED to the opposite sex, ISN’T natural. As someone did say.
Even if you ask the question of someone straight:
why would you want to compete for a spouse with gay people and how would you feel if THEY got who YOU wanted?
They don’t answer that one. Have you noticed? If a gay man answers, ‘do you REALLY want me to marry YOUR sister, or daughter?’
There is little that the anti gay person WOULD answer truthfully on that.
The sacrifices, disciplines and deprivation are ALL up to the gay person, yet the heterosexual demanding it, has nothing THEY have to do….but say later on ANY failure is ALSO all on the gay person.
How easy for THEM.
It’s hard enough being a minority, and having enough of you to go around for each other.
Straight folks don’t appreciate that either.
Worse still is the stupidity ‘attraction fine, just don’t EVER have sex!’
Yeesh!
Why don’t they employ the ‘golden rule’ more often on that one?