New Show Sends Dangerous Message

Almost every professional medical association condemns “reparative therapy” as both dangerous and ineffective when applied to changing a person’s sexual orientation.

Recently the practice became banned and illegal in California, New Jersey and Washington D.C. with pending legislative actions against its practice in a number of states.

I experienced first hand almost six months of this dangerous form of therapy through the now disbanded Exodus International, the once largest “ex-gay” Christian network in the world. I tell people I survived six months of hating myself and witnessing other men and women made to feel completely ashamed for being attracted to the same-sex.

I consider myself fortunate where others turned to suicide when the promises of change never came to fruition. Even though Exodus closed it’s doors in June 2013, the belief that same-sex orientation is an abominable, and shameful “life-style” still exist.

Most recently, TLC has decided to debut a show called “My Husband’s Not Gay” exploiting the lives of married men struggling to reconcile their sexual orientation with a faith that condemns them.

I started this petition because these men deserve compassion and acceptance.

Instead, TLC is presenting their lives as entertainment, and sending the dangerous message that being gay is something that can and ought to be changed. No young person should ever be told to be ashamed of who they are — especially by a television network.

I ask you to join with me in sending a message to TLC and other organizations that any form of “reparative therapy” is dangerous and deadly. Too many have already lost their lives due to this form of ignorance. Enough is enough.

Image via Change.org