The Ex-Gay Movement In Australia

[Christian Taylor]

Cheyne67's article about the ex-gay movement in Australia raises some interesting points about curing gayness. (http://www.samesame.com.au/support/1129/Blood_On_Their_Hands_Behind_Australias_ExGay_Movem ent)If the statistics are anything to go by, it would seem that homosexuality isn't something that can be cured.

What do you think? If there was a cure, would you take it? And has anybody else in here had anything to do with the Ex-Gay movement?

[ap_bcd]

Hi everyone

I'm the Adrian quoted in the article. My life is in a much better place since I've stopped fighting who I am. I am a Proud Gay Man and although I can't undo my involvement with Exodus I sincerely hope that the article and these forums can help stop other taking the path I did.

Cheers

Adrian

[Mr J]

I love psychology ... I love the APA ... and as I say in yahoo and as every one here should know there is NO cure. The APA says they have no scientific proof of success and is actually detrimental to a persons wellbeing. I like the fact that two of the main (male) leaders left exodus international and had a commitment ceromony. Ahh the irony.

Now that I have shown my disdain for the exgay movement ... if there was a cure ... I wouldn't take it because I'm proud and happy for who I am. I don't need a cure

[pinkyboisyd]

In the words of Margaret Cho:

These Christian groups are always up to some kind of bullshit. They're either trying to sneak Terry Chavo a Happy Meal, or going off about 'SpongeBob is gay!' Sponge Bob is a sponge. Obviously, transsexual. They're so busy all the time. I'm like, shouldn't you be preparing for the rapture? Aren't you supposed to be leaving soon? They have no right to call themselves Christians, because they have no Christianity to them. They have no kindness, they have no compassion, they have no charity. I want Jesus to come back and say "That's not what I meant!"

They need to read the scripture, where it says, in Mathew, chapter four, verse seventeen, it says 'Shut the fuck up!'

[Maximus83]

I would never trade who I am or the life I have for any other..

No fuckin' way!

Being gay has opened my eyes to the diversity within the world.

Perhaps if I was just another face in the straight crowd I'd never see that.

[Tim D]

In the words of Margaret Cho:

These Christian groups are always up to some kind of bullshit. They're either trying to sneak Terry Chavo a Happy Meal, or going off about 'SpongeBob is gay!' Sponge Bob is a sponge. Obviously, transsexual. They're so busy all the time. I'm like, shouldn't you be preparing for the rapture? Aren't you supposed to be leaving soon? They have no right to call themselves Christians, because they have no Christianity to them. They have no kindness, they have no compassion, they have no charity. I want Jesus to come back and say "That's not what I meant!"

They need to read the scripture, where it says, in Mathew, chapter four, verse seventeen, it says 'Shut the fuck up!'

What a brilliant quote. My god I love Margaret Cho so much. When's she coming back?

[pinkyboisyd]

I dunno but i would love to see her at Mardi Gras next yr.... she'd be fantastic to open it!

[bexter]

hahaha
CLASSIC

Good old Margaret

[bexter]

All those fundamental Christian groups are similar.. the one you support at Gloria Jeans (or do my fellow gaybees shun crap coffee?) which is called "Mercy Australia" (it keeps changing its name so you can't google the controversy about Mercy Missions") does the same thing: strike when you are at your most vulnerable and attempt to brainwash with rubbish someone just made up. This stuff isn't in the bible, and as for that tome, I wish all the Hillsongers et al would remember that "God" didn't write that thing anyway.. neither did Jesus.

Quote of the year "That's not what I mean"—Jesus

[seasideboi]

Having previously been in a straight relationship and having kids, life would certainly be less complicated. But I wouldn't trade anything in the world for my kids.
Life is a journey, not always an easy one.
I am proud of who I have become since I have acknowledged my own sexuality. I feel much more self-confident now and almost everyone I know has been supporting and accepting of my lifestyle.

I certainly don't want to go back from where I came from, so there is NO WAY I would take cure for being gay.

Cheers
Andrew

[bexter]

Good for you, seasideboi!
Kids are wonderful and I hope your journey gets easier now that you know more about who you really are, perhaps always were. Life's a funny thing. It would be dull otherwise

[ap_bcd]

There was a film about a few years back at the Queer film festivals called "Hard Pill" about a guy who was part of a trial of a pill to cure his homosexuality. The film probes deeply into not just the ramifications for his life but that of his friends and co-workers. Not sure if it's on DVD yet but really worth a watch for those interested in this topic.

[DaddyWayne]

These people are responsible for the high suicide rates among gay/lesbian folk who have problems with their sexuality and thus seek a cure. Or because their sick and twisted families can't cope with their child's sexuality.:(

THEY HAVE BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS!!!!

These CHARLATANS need to be shut down.

Pathetic harbingers of misery is all these organisations are.

[LynDoh]

I thought the question is would you be straight (and enjoy it) rather than living with the difficulties we face being gay ?

As for me I've always preferred being 'different' so if I wasn't gay I would have to find another way to be discriminated against. Also I love the feeling of strength that comes with facing the challenges of being gay.

I'd always prefer to take the road less travelled as I believe you learn more that way.

p.s. Margaret Cho really rocks. If you haven't seen her then find her DVD somewhere. I saw her at the Seymour Centre and she's funny, sexy and very confronting - what a woman.

[ap_bcd]

I thought the question is would you be straight (and enjoy it) rather than living with the difficulties we face being gay ?

As for me I've always preferred being 'different' so if I wasn't gay I would have to find another way to be discriminated against.

Hi LynDoh The question is simply about would you change. I've tried (over 8 years of trying) and at the time i would have given anything for that magic pill. For me it wasn't about escaping the difficulties of being gay - although granted they are many - but about being able to accept and reconcile as being different to the other boys. Difference is NOT a desirable attribute in Aussie society.

I think some people are able to come to that place of peace and resolution more easily than others. And from what I see with some mates a few years younger than me this is getting easier all the time

[ChrisDude]

I briefly thought about trying to get "help" for my "homosexual tendencies" last year, at a point when I was still very unsure about what to make of my sexuality. A "cure" would have been very handy at that point. But since I came out earlier this year, and started accepting (and embracing!) who I am, I would never want to be altered like that.

Like some other people here, I think ex-gay programs promote homophobia and self-loathing. That's really horrible, and exactly what people coming to terms with their sexuality don't need.

[robbie]

I hated myself between the ages of 18 - 22, and I couldn't cope with my gayness, partly due to my christian upbringing. During those years I didn't have any close gay friends, and I stumbled through my gay awakening in silence. I was shit scared and contemplated many ways out. One of those was certainly taking a pill to make me straight.

I'm glad there is no pill like that.

At 23, I met some great gay mates and ever since, I've been out, proud and wouldn't have it any other way.

[peeter]

Me too, when you first realise you're gay, it's very daunting to comprehend that you are in a small minority. Fear can overwhelm you but it passes. No straight pill for me thanks!

[azza]

Mmmmm, having come out of a marriage with 3 teen daughters just to embrace my gay identity has been a huge dicision. Again like so many, christian values made me hate who I was and I would have egerly taken the pill to "fix"my same sex attractions. So as the title states, better late than never, I have embrased this new identity, now trying to negotiate my way around the gay world, making new friends and a new life style is another challenge, but one that Im willing and egar to do, I dont feel the need to make up for lost time but will continue my journey foward with a healthier and more positive out look on life and a healthier proud respect for who I am, a gay man.

[sydneychick69]

There is no way that i would want a qure. I love it and im proud of it. I have beautiful partner and would not want to change her for no opposite sex person in me life time. Gay and proud of it baby. Thats the way i would always want to be. And if my child turned out to be one to would say this baby follow ur heart and live life u want to as long as ur happy.

[avb7]

for people interested in following developments here in Australia you can view my blog

http://exgayaustralia.blogspot.com/

or go to the special section on this on the freedom 2 b[e] website

http://www.freedom2b.org/forum/44

or read my presentation here

A Glimpse into Australia's Ex Gay World (http://www.freedom2b.org/topic/1189)

[gayambassador]

you can read my artilce on unwanted same sex attraction here http://gayambassador.blogspot.com.au/2013/02/what-is-unwanted-same-sex-attraction.html

today it went to the number one spot on google