yvette-schneider.jpgExodus International’s new women’s ministry leader is a hardline ex-lesbian who once joined critics in decrying moderate remarks by Exodus President Alan Chambers.

Yvette Schneider, also known as Yvette Cantu Schneider and previously Yvette Cantu, will “communicate biblical, compassionate truth to women who feel overlooked by society,” according to an Exodus press release.

In 2007, Schneider joined Peter LaBarbera’s Americans for Truth in criticizing Alan Chambers after the LA Times reported he had softened on the meaning of “change.” Chambers said that “By no means would we ever say change can be sudden or complete.”

LaBarbera immediately supported pal Stephen Bennett in disavowing Chambers’s remarks, saying he was “disappointed.” Two days later, Yvette Schneider went on record with the following “in response“:

I came out of homosexuality after a powerful encounter with Jesus Christ and a desire to serve and obey Him. I can say with complete honesty that I NEVER have homosexual desires of any sort – physical or emotional.

Readers might prefer to check out the Google cache here. Why? Because XGW contacted Alan in early August to ask about the apparent rift. Chambers neglected to respond, but presumably he was not too busy to consult LaBarbera, as a disclaimer was added yesterday, within 24 hours of the announcement of Schneider’s appointment:

Yvette Schneider’s comments below relate to her own story of transformative change and were initially made following a controversy last year surrounding Exodus President Alan Chamber’s quotes in the Los Angeles Times. Since we first published this piece, we have learned that Alan’s statements were incomplete and taken out of context by self-serving homosexual activists to create an impression that he never sought to create — i.e., questioning the potential for radical and even complete change in the life of homosexual strugglers.

Since the Times interview, Mr. Chambers has clarified his position on change in homosexuality to AFTAH saying:

“There are a variety of levels at which individuals experience change when it comes to the issue of homosexuality. For some it may be a rapid, total transformation, but for many, it is often a gradual process of dealing with difficult life issues, habits and behaviors. Regardless of the timing, any change is still change and as Christians, we know that the process of dealing with sin and becoming more like Christ will continue throughout the course of our lives.”

The criticism remains on LaBarbera’s website unchallenged for over a year, and then suddenly it’s time to issue a disclaimer?

A timely damage-control exercise, but just as potentially damaging is Schneider’s history of right-wing political involvement. As well as her association with the notorious LaBarbera, Schneider has worked with Eagle Forum, Family Research Council and Matt Barber’s Concerned Women for America. Not a good omen for an organization that claimed last year they were leaving politics behind.

In summary, what does Schneider’s appointment mean? On inspection, it appears Exodus has appointed to a major role in its organization a woman with a track record of ultra-conservative political activism (despite Exodus’s claim to be a non-political group), who pushes a hard line on orientation change (despite Exodus’s deliberate attempt to steer away from such rhetoric, at least in public) and who has openly criticized its president’s more moderate statements (although LaBarbera tries to alter that by pinning the blame on “self-serving homosexual activists”). Isn’t this looking like just another move in the wrong direction?

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