|
from Ethical Issues
Critic Ignores the Whole Truth
About Ex-Gays
by Warren Throckmorton, PhD
November 10, 2004 -
"The founder of every ex-gay ministry in America has proved to be an
extraordinary failure. The two founders of Exodus International, [the world's
largest 'ex-gay' organization], divorced their wives to move in together." -
Wayne Besen, as quoted in an October 8, 2004 article by Natalie Troyer of the
Washington Times.
The article containing the above quote was entitled, "Film Depicts Gay
Reorientation" and discussed the recent documentary I Do Exist which explores
the lives of people who have changed from gay to straight. However, columnist
Wayne Besen, a gay man and ex-gay critic, staked out a different perspective. He
made two claims in this quote: first, that all ex-gay ministry founders have
reverted to a homosexual life and more specifically that the founders of Exodus
International left their wives and became homosexual partners.
Are these claims accurate? Let me cut to the chase. Mostly, they are not
true. In fact, after investigating the matter, I found that of the original
board members of Exodus International, only one reverted to homosexuality.
Furthermore, one of the two men referred to by Mr. Besen was never in leadership
with Exodus. Here are the details.
Exodus International is a distinctly religious organization offering services
and referrals to people who are in conflict with their sexual feelings and
Christian beliefs. However, detractors often say that the message of Exodus is
compromised due to the failure of the co-founders of the organization to remain
heterosexual. In a recent Cleveland Plain Dealer article, also on the subject of
sexual orientation change, Mr. Besen claimed that Michael Bussee and Gary Cooper
were the co-founders of Exodus International. He noted again that the men became
gay partners.
The second claim is true. As documented in the 1992 film One Nation Under
God, the two men did indeed leave their families in 1979 and engaged in a
commitment ceremony in 1982.
However, the first claim is false. Mr. Cooper and Mr. Bussee were not the
co-founders of Exodus International.
Why do Mr. Besen and others (including the abovementioned film, One Nation
Under God) claim they were? While I cannot judge motivation, it appears to be a
deliberate effort to discredit the concept of sexual orientation change.
Concerning Gary Cooper, in no way can he be considered a founder of the
organization. Mr. Cooper, who died of complications from HIV/AIDS in 1989, was a
volunteer with Mr. Bussee's ministry, called Exit (Ex-gay Intervention Team)
based in Anaheim, CA. By all accounts, he was never on the Exodus Board.
Mr. Bussee however, did help arrange a meeting of ex-gay leaders that
eventually came to be considered the first Exodus conference. According to
Exodus incorporator, Ron Dennis, Mr. Bussee was one of the people who saw the
need for a collegial relationship between independent ex-gay ministries.
The original board of Exodus included 5 formerly gay identified people,
including Mr. Bussee. The incorporators of the group included Frank Worthen, Ron
Dennis and Greg Reid. None of these men have returned to homosexuality and two
of the three are still in ex-gay ministry. One other original board member,
although still straight, requested his name not be included in this article.
Let's do the math: four out of five of the original board have not returned to a
gay identity.
The truth is that some people who were ex-gay ministry leaders or
participants have reverted to a gay or lesbian identity. Ex-ex-gays exist.
However, the majority of people who began with Exodus have not returned to a gay
identity. Speaking of Exodus, Mr. Besen and those detractors who say all ex-gay
leaders are "extraordinary failures" are simply ignoring the whole truth .
Just so this is clear, let's re-cap. Gary Cooper was not one the co-founders
of Exodus. Michael Bussee was on the original board. The men were involved in an
ex-gay ministry in Anaheim, were married, left their wives and children and
returned to a public gay identity. Of the five formerly gay men on the original
board of Exodus International, four have not reverted to homosexuality. Frank
Worthen and Ron Dennis continue to lead ex-gay organizations. The other two
original board members were rumored to have returned to a gay identity but
according to both men, this is not true. Thus, 80% of the original Exodus board
members are still ex-gay after 30 years.
What is the importance of these observations? Given the longevity of change
that most people involved with Exodus and other ministries report, it is an
important contribution to our understanding of sexual orientation and human
nature overall to give attention to the whole truth. Although critics for a
living such as Mr. Besen may not be able to change their thinking, others may
not be so closed minded.
Warren Throckmorton, PhD is Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of College Counseling at Grove City College (PA). His articles have appeared in over 50 newspapers and he is a Contributing Columnist with Crosswalk.com. Dr. Throckmorton is the producer of a recently released documentary titled I Do Exist concerning sexual orientation. His website is www.drthrockmorton.com.
Updated: 8 February 2008
|
