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Tuesday, October 31, 2006
A week ago I was driving on I-85 in downtown Atlanta and I looked up to see the above billboard on the freeway and I immediately thought to myself "only in the damn south". But as I did more research on these billboards, I learned that they were erected in many states across the country by the anti-gay group Exodus International .
I'm sure we're all slightly familiar with the group of homosexuals who swears that they've been changed or delivered from the
sin of homosexuality. Let's just get one thing straight, just because a man stops sucking dick doesn't mean he is now a new and improved heterosexual. Anyone can abstain from sex if they choose to do so, but that choice doesn't change your inherent sexual orientation.
These ex-gay ministries are scary and misleading. If you think your life is messed up before entering one of these psych wards, then just wait and see what life is like after you've been brainwashed to believe you're someone that you're not, then later realizing the feelings you had before are still present. Let's talk about all of the additional counseling you'll need in order to deal with all of the inner turmoil as a result of this bs.
I believe in free speech, we live in America. But I also believe when anti-gay billboards go up like these, the gay community needs to respond immediately, and my response is below.
5 Comments:
So you got a chance to research those billboards, eh? I clearly remember the shock and frustration of seeing them on the freeway. It's a damn shame we can't police what message is disseminated to an already conservatively homophobic community. Keep putting the negativity on blast, man...we need a voice!
November 01, 2006 11:33 AM
Darian! I think you have such a wonderful, wonderful blog. I really admire your activism and I'm glad you are keeping it up.
You know what's funny about those billboards? You know how uptight folks are always accusing gays of "recruiting" people, and trying to lead them "astray?" Well, If you look at the "Rethink Homosexuality" billboard without knowing the context, someone might think they were trying to get people to consider homosexuality.
But I know what these people are actually trying to say and accomplish, and it's so sad. I feel like they are predators to people who already feel isolated, outcast, and ashamed of something they shouldn't be ashamed of. If these ministries truly preached the word of God, they would encourage people to love themselves and each other.
-Ellen
November 01, 2006 12:05 PM
God bless you Captain ! So when are you gonna take over as head of Exodus International? I think you would be perfect for the job!
November 01, 2006 4:18 PM
Dear Captain,
On your own blog you say, "Some people have to “KISS ASS” just to be accepted and wanted within a group and still get mistreated and used. I refuse to be bothered with such nonsense." I interpret this as you saying that you want to be loved and valued for who you are. I think Darian (please correct me if I'm wrong) is seeking the same thing.
How would you react to an organization that offered to help African Americans "become" white? What if they said, "many people with true life-changing stories are leading authentic Aryan lives and not returning to their vile African roots." They may believe that "hope and love is at the heart of their mission," but wouldn't you (shouldn't you!?) be insulted?
November 01, 2006 7:39 PM
I recently atteneded a conference called "Love Won Out". Sponsored by Focus on the Family. It really made me mad because a lot of the people there talking about the "Lord's redeeming power" never even claimed to be gay. How can you possibly understand the things we as gay men and women go through without walking in our shoes. Another thing that pissed me off about it was one of the people at the EXODUS INTERNATIONAL BOOTHS ASKED ME TO GIVE HIM HEAD IN THE BATHROOM!!?? Darian that goes to prove your point that just cuz you go through some counseling sessions and throw on an Exodus t-shirt doesn't mean that any kind of internal change has been made. But, on the flip side, I was very pleased to see our gay brothers and sisters standing outside in peaceful protest of what was being said and done at the conference.
November 14, 2006 3:20 PM
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