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[[Image:One by One booth.jpg|thumb|right||[[OneByOne]] booth at a [[Love Won Out]] conference]]
{{Refimprove|date=January 2009}}
'''Ex-gay''' is a term and concept used to describe persons who once identified as [[gay]] or [[lesbian]] (or any orientation other than heterosexual), but have since chosen to [[sexual identity|identify]] as [[heterosexual]], or some other sexual orientation. The '''Ex-Gay Movement''' consists of people and organisations trying to change the sexual orientation of people who are not heterosexual. Some ex-gays enter into [[heterosexual|opposite-sex]] relationships, while others remain [[celibate]]. While "ex-gays" may report a reduction in same-sex desires, they may also continue to experience [[same-sex attraction]] <ref>{{cite journal
|last=Yarhouse
|first=Mark
|year=1998
|month=Summer
|title=When Clients Seek Treatment for Same-Sex Attractions: Ethical Issues in the "Right to Choose" Debate
|journal=Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training
|volume=35
|issue=2
|pages=248–259
|accessdate=2007-08-28
|doi=10.1037/h0087753
}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal
|last=Haldeman
|first=Douglas
|url=http://tcp.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/32/5/691?ck=nck
|title=When Sexual and Religious Orientation Collide:Considerations in Working with Conflicted Same-Sex Attracted Male Clients
|publisher=The Counseling Psychologist
|volume=32
|number=5
|year=2004
|doi=10.1177/0011000004267560
|journal=The Counseling Psychologist
|pages=691}}
</ref><ref>[[Jack Drescher|Drescher, Jack]] (2001). "Ethical Concerns Raised When Patients Seek to Change Same-Sex Attractions". Journal of Gay & Lesbian Psychotherapy 5 (3/4): 183. Haworth Press.</ref> even though they do not identify as "gay".

When the term "ex-gay" was introduced to professional literature in 1980, Dr. E. Mansell Pattison defined it as someone who had "experienced a basic change in [[sexual orientation]] from exclusive homosexuality to exclusive heterosexuality."<ref>{{cite journal
|title=Initial empirical and clinical findings concerning the change process for ex-gays
|last=Throckmorton
|first=Warren
|coauthur=Pattison, M. L. | year=2002
|publisher=[[American Psychological Association]]
|volume=33
|journal=Professional Psychology: Research and Practice
|url=http://www.drthrockmorton.com/article.asp?id=1
|month=June
|number=3
|pages=242–248
|doi=10.1037/0735-7028.33.3.242}}</ref>

[[Alan Chambers (Exodus International)|Alan Chambers]], president of [[Exodus International]], has publicly denounced the term's usage.<ref>http://www.alanchambers.org/just_think/2008/03/great-thread-at.html A BLOG BY ALAN CHAMBERS: Great Thread at ExGay Watch</ref> Other than [[Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays]], organizations that practice ex-gay initiatives do not label themselves as such, but rather label themselves as restorative psychology groups.{{Citation needed|date=January 2009}}

==The ex-gay movement and conversion therapy==
{{See also|Conversion therapy}}

Exodus International argues that [[conversion therapy]], specifically reparative therapy, may be a useful tool for decreasing homosexual desire<ref>[http://exodus.to/content/view/34/117/ Exodus International Policy Statements], [[Exodus International]]. Retrieved 04-07-2007.</ref>. Despite a popular perception within the established medical and scientific consensus that conversion therapy is potentially harmful, the [[American Psychiatric Association]] stated in 2000 that "there are no scientifically rigorous outcome studies to determine either the actual efficacy or harm of reparative treatments."<ref name="Psych">{{cite web
|url = http://archive.psych.org/edu/other_res/lib_archives/archives/200001.pdf
|title = Position Statement on Therapies Focused on Attempts to Change Sexual Orientation (Reparative or Conversion Therapies)
|accessdate = 2007-08-28
|year = 2000
|month = May
|publisher = American Psychiatric Association
|format=PDF}}</ref> The APA issued a statement stating "some people believe that sexual orientation is innate and fixed; however, sexual orientation develops across a person’s lifetime."<ref name="AGLP">{{cite web
|url=http://www.aglp.org/pages/cfactsheets.html#Anchor-Gay-14210
|title=Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Issues
|author=[[American Psychiatric Association]]
|publisher=Association of Gay and Lesbian Psychiatrics
|month=May | year=2000}}</ref> In the [[United States]], the [[American Psychiatric Association]] issued a statement in 2006, backed by numerous other mainstream medical organizations, which stated: "There is simply no sufficiently scientifically sound evidence that sexual orientation can be changed."<ref name="prejudice">[http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/08/081106apa.htm APA Discredits 'Ex-Gay' Movement], 365Gay Newscenter, 8-11-2006. Retrieved on 04-14-2007.</ref> The statement went on to say that positions espoused by ex-gay organizations "are not supported by the science." Clinical psychologist Douglas Haldeman has identified conversion therapy as a [[pseudoscience]].<ref name="iglss.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.iglss.org/media/files/Angles_41.pdf |title=The Pseudo-science of Sexual Orientation Conversion Therapy |accessdate= 2009-04-04 |year=1999 |publisher= ANGLES, the policy journal of the Institute for Gay and Lesbian Strategic Studies (IGLSS), www.iglss.org}}</ref>

Proponents of conversion therapy argue that it is possible for a person's sexual orientation to be changed,<ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/12/nyregion/12group.html?pagewanted=print</ref> and cite research in support of that contention.<ref>Can Some Gay Men and Lesbians Change Their Sexual Orientation? 200 Participants Reporting a Change from Homosexual to Heterosexual Orientation (Archives of Sexual Behavior, October 2003, p.403-417) PMID 14567650</ref><ref>http://www.pointofview.net/site/News2?news_iv_ctrl=-1&page=NewsArticle&id=6702</ref><ref>http://www.upcsa.org.za/assembly_papers/Human_sexuality/Attempts%20to%20Modify%20Sexual%20Orientation.pdf</ref> [[Focus on the Family]], which advocates conversion therapy, points to ''Ex-Gays? A Longitudinal Study of Religiously Mediated Change in Sexual Orientation'', a [[2009]] book published by researchers [[Stanton L. Jones|Stanton Jones]] and Mark Yarhouse.<ref>{{cite news
- |url = http://www.denverpost.com/popular/ci_6922237
- |title = Focus on Family: Sexual orientation can change
- |last = Draper
- |first = Electra
- |date = [[2007-09-18]]
- |publisher = The Denver Post
- |accessdate = 2007-10-29
- }}</ref> The [[American Psychological Association]] has refused to comment on the study.<ref>{{cite news
- |url=http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/324337.aspx
- |title=Study Says Gays Can Change Orientation
- |last=Sells
- |first=Heather
- |date=2008-02-23
- |publisher=[[Christian Broadcasting Network]]}}</ref> A 2008 pamphlet produced by the [[American Psychological Association]] urges that [[mental health]] organizations should respect clients' right to self-determination and "be sensitive to the client’s [[Race (classification of human beings)|race]], culture, [[ethnicity]], age, [[gender]], [[gender identity]], sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, language, and [[disability]] status when working with that client; and eliminate biases based on these factors."<ref>[http://www.apa.org/topics/sorientation.html Answers to Your Questions For a Better Understanding of Sexual Orientation & Homosexuality]</ref> An earlier [[American Psychological Association]] article from 2002 states regarding sexual orientation that "change over time is not theoretically unfounded or empirically unprecedented" <ref>http://psycnet.apa.org/index.cfm?fa=main.doiLanding&uid=2002-01066-002</ref> Ex-gay groups assert that the scientific community has taken its stances on homosexuality due to political, and not scientific, considerations.<ref name="ABC">[http://abc.net.au/foreign/content/2006/s1717011.htm USA - Gay Conversion]. Retrieved on 2006-06-22.</ref><ref>Satinover, Jeff. Homosexuality and the Politics of Truth (1996) Baker</ref> However, mainstream mental health organizations have rejected this assertion since the mid-1970s.<ref name="iglss.org"/>

== Definition of change ==
Exodus describes ''change'' as "attaining abstinence from homosexual behaviors, lessening of homosexual temptations, strengthening their sense of masculine or feminine identity, correcting distorted styles of relating with members of the same and opposite gender."<ref name=Change>{{cite web |title=What's your "success rate" in changing gays into straights? |url=http://exodus.to/content/view/43/87/ |accessdate=2007-03-27 }}</ref> Some ex-gays advocate entering (or remaining) in a heterosexual marriage as part of the process. Some in opposite-sex marriages acknowledge that their sexual attractions remain primarily homosexual, but seek to make their marriages work anyway.<ref>[http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2002/003/2.50.html No easy victory]</ref> The president of Exodus said he agrees that people can't necessarily change their [[sexual orientation]], but he said they can "live in accord with their beliefs and faith" by renouncing homosexuality and not engaging in [[same-sex relationship]]s.<ref>[Ex-gay or just exploited? http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1732269.php]</ref>

== Joint statement from ex-gay organizations ==
In a joint coalition, several ex-gay organizations expressed their views that, for those with same-sex attractions, they support:
<blockquote>
*'''Personal choice''' in their sexual identity and behavior.
*'''Right to know''' of alternatives to living a homosexual life.
*'''Individual self-determination''' to seek counseling and determine the direction of that therapy
*'''Compassion and respect''' to live in their choices as they see fit, without discrimination, ridicule, marginalization, or being the target of hate speech.
*'''Policy neutrality''', especially in the freedom to speak about freely chosen alternatives to homosexuality.
*'''Equal access to public forums''' to raise awareness of alternative responses to a homosexual identity and lifestyle.<ref name=PATH>[http://www.pathinfo.org/index2.htm PATH]: Positive Alternatives To Homosexuality</ref>
</blockquote>

== People ==
=== Americans associated with the ex-gay movement ===
{{POV|date=July 2009}}
*'''Stephen Bennett'''<ref>[http://www.igroops.com/igroops/sbm+webpages+5 God's Amazing Grace: The Testimony of Stephen Bennett]</ref> is the President, Founder, and Executive Director of Stephen Bennett Ministries, Inc., an international [[nonprofit]] [[Christian]] organization that speaks out against homosexuality, assists persons seeking "freedom from homosexuality," and provides resources for parents whose children identify as gay or lesbian.<ref>[http://www.igroops.com/igroops/sbm+webpages+4 About the Ministries of SBM]</ref> Bennett is also a Christian songwriter and recording artist.<ref>[http://www.igroops.com/igroops/sbm SBM Online Members]</ref> He has been married since 1993 and he and his wife have two children.<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0306/18/se.16.html
|title=Interview with Elizabeth Birch, Stephen Bennett
|date=2003-06-18
|last=Cooper
|first=Anderson
|publisher=[[CNN]]}}</ref>
*'''[[Alan Chambers (Exodus International)|Alan Chambers]]''' is the president of [[Exodus International]]. He often speaks at ex-gay events and has written several books. He is politically active, and promotes legislation against [[same-sex marriage]].<ref>[http://www.alanchambers.org/ A Blog By Alan Chambers]</ref>
*'''[[Richard Cohen (lecturer)|Richard Cohen]]''' is the former president of [[Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays]] and was the subject of an interview by [[Jason Jones (actor)|Jason Jones]] on the [[March 19]], [[2007]] episode of ''[[The Daily Show]]''. After this appearance, [[NARTH]] and [[Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays]] removed all references to Cohen from their website<ref>[http://www.exgaywatch.com/wp/2007/03/narth-and-pfox-quietly-rid-themselves-of-richard-cohen/ NARTH and PFOX Quietly Rid Themselves of Richard Cohen (blog entry)], Ex-Gay Watch, 03-31-2007. Retrieved on 04-07-2007.</ref> and [[Exodus International]] issued a position statement distancing themselves from him.<ref>[http://exodus.to/content/view/34/117/ Exodus International Policy Statements], [[Exodus International]]. Retrieved on 04-07-2007.</ref>
*'''[[Andrew Comiskey]]''' is the founder and leader of Desert Stream Ministries.<ref name="autogenerated2">[http://www.desertstream.org/index.htm Desert Stream Ministries: Ministering the life of Jesus to the sexually and relationally broken]</ref> Founded in 1980, Desert Stream Ministries states that its mission is to "equip the body of [[Christ]] to minister healing to the sexually and relationally broken through healing groups and leadership training for the local church."<ref name="autogenerated2" /> Comiskey has authored a number of books, including ''Pursuing Sexual Wholeness: How Jesus Heals the Homosexual'' and ''The Kingdom of God and the Homosexual''.<ref>[http://dspress.net/shopsite_sc/store/html/page2.html Andrew Comiskey at Desert Stream Press Online Store]</ref>
*'''[[Charlene Cothran]]''' is a former editor of ''Venus'', a magazine for [[African-American]] [[lesbian]]s. Following her [[religious conversion|conversion]] to Christianity in 2006, she changed the editorial policy of the magazine to support the ex-gay movement.<ref>[http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/marchweb-only/112-52.0.html Interview with ChristianityToday]</ref><ref>[http://claycane.blogspot.com/2007/04/interview-with-ex-gay-charlene-cothran.html Interview with Clay Cane]</ref>
*'''[[Joe Dallas]]'''<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.christianpost.com/article/20070625/28160_Exodus_Freedom_Speaker_Warns_of_'The_Gay_Gospel'.htm
|title=Exodus Freedom Speaker Warns of 'The Gay Gospel'
|date=2007-06-25
|first=Lillian
|last=Kwon
|publisher=Christian Post}}</ref> is the Program Director of Genesis Counseling. He has written six books on human sexuality.<ref>[http://www.joedallas.com/ Joe Dallas l Genesis Counseling l Sexual Addiction Recovery]</ref>
*'''Rev. Darryl Foster''' of the Restoration Sanctuary International Church is a Christian pastor who works mainly with ex-homosexual people of color. He opposes the comparison of sexual orientation to race.<ref>[http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2003/may/03052304.html African-American Ex-Gay Pastor Explodes The Myth That Homosexuality Is No Different Than Race]</ref>
*'''Melissa Fryrear''', Gender Issues Analyst in [[Focus on the Family]]’s Legislative and Cultural Affairs Department,<ref>[http://exodus.to/content/view/358/0/ Exodus International - Melissa Fryrear]</ref> identified as a lesbian for 10 years before her conversion to Christianity and subsequent years of therapy, which she says made her life "fuller and happier."<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Health/story?id=983209
|title='Ex-Gay' Camps, Therapy Programs Attract Controversy
|last=Palazzolo
|first=Rose
|date=2005-07-28
|publisher=[[ABC News]]
|accessdate=2007-10-29
}}</ref> She now says "I'm changed. I'm a heterosexual woman now. I'm not sexually attracted to women."<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/LIVING/personal/06/29/poll.reaction/index.html
|title=Gay man, former lesbian on whether they can change
|last=Gandossy
|first=Taylor
|publisher=CNN
|date=2007-06-30
|accessdate=2007-10-29
}}</ref>
*'''[[Michael Glatze]]''' <ref>[http://massresistance.blogspot.com/2007/10/michael-glatze-interview-with-narth.html MassResistance: Michael Glatze Interview with NARTH]</ref> is a former gay rights activist and former publisher of Young Gay America [[YGA Magazine]].<ref>{{cite news|publisher=Time Magazine|title=The Battle Over Gay Teens|date=2005-05-10|author=John Cloud|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1112856-10,00.html}}</ref> Glatze recently revealed that he had eschewed his gay identity, and he has become an outspoken critic of homosexuality.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=WorldNetDaily|title=How a 'gay rights' leader became straight|date=2007-07-03|author=Michael Glatze|url=http://wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=56487}}</ref>
*'''Mike Haley''', Youth and Gender Analyst for Focus on the Family,<ref>[http://exodus.to/content/view/361/0/ Exodus International - Mike Haley]</ref> identifies as a gay man for 12 years, and at one point was arrested for gay [[prostitution]]. He began to identify as heterosexual when he was 28.<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://www.denverpost.com/lifestyles/ci_4089806
|title="Ex-gay" stood by to testify at Dobson vigil
|last=Rodríguez
|first=Cindy
|date=2006-07-24
|publisher=The Denver Post
}}</ref> After what he calls a long and painful struggle, he chose to identify as heterosexual. He is married with three children.<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0704/05/acd.01.html
|title=Sex and Salvation
|author=[[Anderson Cooper|Cooper, Anderson]]
|date=2007-04-05
|publisher=[[Anderson Cooper 360°]]
}}</ref>
*'''James Hartline ''', San Diego Christian activist and founder of <ref>[http://www.jameshartline.com The James Hartline Report]</ref>, spent over thirty years in the homosexual lifestyle. James speaks at many churches, youth groups and civic events. He is a regular commentator on radio, television and news programs on issues of moral consequence in America. James has also started a Christian, non-profit ministry, The Hillcrest Mission, to help those struggling with homosexuality and AIDS in the gay community in San Diego, California.
*'''[[Dennis Jernigan]]''' is a singer-songwriter of contemporary [[Christian music]]. He describes his experience of "deliverance from homosexuality" during his concerts.<ref>[http://www.dennisjernigan.com/ Dennis Jernigan :: Shepherd's Heart Music]</ref>
*'''David Matheson''' admitted to himself that he was attracted to men when he was 22 and married. After seven years of therapy, he claims that he has changed his sexual orientation.<ref>[http://www.peoplecanchange.com/About_Us_Matheson.htm David Matheson]</ref> He has since become a licensed professional counselor and focusing on "helping men who want to diminish unwanted homosexuality and feel whole as men."<ref>[http://www.genderwholeness.com/about.html Center for Gender Wholeness - About Us]</ref> He is the clinical director of the Center for Gender Wholeness, co-creator of the Journey into Manhood weekend, and a director of [[People Can Change]].<ref>[http://evergreeninternational.org/Speakers.htm#matheson Popular Speakers]</ref> He has written the Evergreen Workbook for Men, Four Principles of Growth<ref>[http://www.evergreeninternational.org/four_principles.htm Four Principles]</ref>, and has made several media appearances talking about overcoming homosexual attractions. He does not claim to be completely straight, but rather "straight enough".<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbT93tckW4o YouTube - Coqui Zen Entertainment]</ref>
*'''Alan Medinger'''[<ref>[http://www.narth.com/docs/medinger2.html INTERVIEW: Alan Medinger]</ref> is a former director of Exodus International,<ref name="autogenerated1">[http://www.randomhouse.ca/author/results.pperl?authorid=35841 RandomHouse.ca | Author Spotlight: Alan Medinger]</ref> and is the Founder and Executive Director Emeritus<ref>[http://www.regenerationministries.org/newsletters/200711.pdf Grace: The Risk We Need to Take - November / December 2007 Newsletter]</ref> of Regeneration Ministies, a Christian organization which deals with [[pornography]] and homosexuality.<ref>[http://www.regenerationministries.org/about.asp Regeneration Ministries - About Us]</ref> Medinger is the author of ''Growth Into Manhood''.<ref name="autogenerated1" /> He recommends that a subject who finds him or herself attracted to someone of the same sex should "immediately look around for someone of the opposite sex... and start searching for the beauty in that person"; a subject should disentangle sexual desire from the desire for affection or affirmation; and a subject should repent and confess his or her [[sin]]s.<ref>{{cite web
|url = http://exodus.to/content/view/51/55/
|title = A Realistic Approach to Attractions
|accessdate = 2007-08-28
|last = Medinger
|first = Alan
|year = 2002
|publisher = Exodus International
}}</ref>
*'''Sy Rogers''' was selected as one of '50 Up & Coming Evangelical Leaders Under 40' by ''[[Christianity Today]]''. He has served for over two decades in ministry as a pastoral care specialist regarding sexuality. He has spoken at ex-gay conferences throughout the world.
*'''Randy Thomas''', Executive Vice President of [[Exodus International]],<ref>[http://exodus.to/content/view/804/37/ Exodus International - 'Gay Gene?' No Big Deal, Says Ex-Gay]</ref> was in gay relationships since he was a teenager, but stopped when he became a Christian in his mid-20s.<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/10/28/ex_gay_ministry_reaches_out_to_hub/
|title='Ex-gay' ministry reaches out to Hub
|last=Wen
|first=Patricia
|publisher=[[The Boston Globe]]
|date=2005-10-28
}}</ref> He later stated, "I am 15 years on the other side of identifying as gay. I have had a sexual orientation shift, and I'm not gay."<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://www.miaminewtimes.com/2007-07-12/news/scared-straight
|title=Scared Straight
|publisher=[[Miami New Times]]
|last=Green
|first=Joanne
|date=2007-07-12
}}</ref>
*'''Chad Thompson''' is the founder of Inqueery,<ref>[http://inqueery.com/ Inqueery]</ref> a website addressing ex-gay issues among high school students, and author of the book ''Loving Homosexuals as Jesus Would''.<ref>[www.lovinghomosexuals.com/ Loving Homosexuals as Jesus Would]</ref> Thompson claims that there is bigotry among gays against those who do not accept their orientation.<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1112771-2,00.html
|title=The Battle Over Gay Teens
|date=2007-10-02
|first=John
|last=Cloud
|publisher=[[Time]]}}</ref> However, he has also criticized Christians who show hostility against gay rights but not compassion for gays.<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/augustweb-only/8-30-22.0.html
|title=Banning Gay Marriage Is Not The Answer
|first=Chad W.
|last=Thompson
|date=2004-08-01
|publisher=Christianity Today}}</ref>
*'''Rich Wyler''' is the founder and executive director of [[People Can Change]], and co-creator and leader of Journey into Manhood. He established Higher Path Life Coaching and began coaching professionally in 2005.<ref>[http://www.peoplecanchange.com/FINDING_A_COUNSELOR.htm New Page 1]</ref> He leads telephone-based coaching group called "A Wife's Journey: Caring for Yourself and Your Family When Your Husband Struggles With Homosexuality or Addiction."<ref>[http://nightwatchworldnews.blogspot.com/2007/04/6947.html NW World News Prayer Network: #4680]</ref>

=== Non-Americans associated with the ex-gay movement ===
*'''[[Giuseppe Povìa]]''' is an Italian singer, who said he had a gay phase, which lasted seven months, and then he got over it, as well as helping two friends who believed they were gay to get married.<ref name=GayConvert>[http://www.evvidia.com/news/world.php?subaction=showfull&id=1230201539&archive=&start_from=&ucat=2 Gay row hits Sanremo festival Group threatens to disrupt event over 'gay convert' song]</ref> He came under fire for a magazine interview in which he said "people aren't gay, they become gay on the basis of who they spend time with."<ref>[http://www.italymag.co.uk/italy/liguria/sanremo-songfest-open-amid-protests Sanremo Songfest Open Amid Protests]</ref> He later wrote and performed a song about a gay man who became straight, entitled ''Luca Era Gay'', for which he won second place in the San Remo Festival.<ref>[http://www.serviziocivilemagazine.it/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=529&Itemid=1 “Luca era gay”. Tra le polemiche, seconda classificata al Festival di Sanremo 2009]</ref> Povia says the song is about Luca Tolve, who he says has been cured of his homosexuality thanks to the therapies of [[Joseph Nicolosi]].<ref name=GayConvert />
*'''Víctor Jorquera''' is the online editor of GayChile.com. It served as an important source of information for [[Chile]]'s gay community, frequently publishing details about upcoming pro-homosexual marches or meetings.<ref>[http://www.santiagotimes.cl/santiagotimes/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=13242 Movilh Targets "Homophobic" Gay Web Site]</ref> In 2007, he says that he came to believe God wanted him to stop pursuing [[same-sex relationship]]s.<ref>[http://www.courage-latino.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=249&Itemid=71 Editor del portal GayChile.com cambia su portal y ahora cree que el cambio es posible]</ref> The focus of the web site changed, and now focuses on messages that tell people that they adapt their life to a conservative view of the Bible by stopping same-sex relationships.<ref>[http://www.bgay.com/news/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=172&Itemid=23 Queer Editor Goes Ex-Gay]</ref>

=== Persons no longer supporting the ex-gay movement ===
{{Main|Ex-ex-gay}}
*'''[[Günter Baum]]''' originally founded an ex-gay ministry in [[Germany]]. Ultimately, he formed another ministry, [[Zwischenraum]], which helps gay Christians to accept their sexuality and to reconcile it with their beliefs.
*'''Michael Bussee''' and '''Gary Cooper''', co-founders of [[Exodus International]], left the group and in 1979, held a life commitment ceremony together. Bussee went on to become an outspoken critic of Exodus and the ex-gay movement.<ref>Their story is one of the foci of the documentary ''One Nation Under God'' (1993), directed by [[Teodoro Maniaci]] and Francine Rzeznik.</ref> He flatly rejects therapies designed to change or "cure" gay people, but recently acknowledged potential for therapy that "does not promise change, but instead offers patients help in managing their desires and modifying their behavior to match their religious values -- even if that means a life of celibacy".<ref>{{cite news
|first=Stephanie
|last=Simon
|title=Approaching agreement in debate over homosexuality; More conservative Christians say being gay isn't a choice that can be changed by prayer
|publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]]
|date=2007-06-18
|accessdate=2007-10-13
}}</ref> In June 2007 Bussee issued an apology for his part in the ex-gay movement.<ref>{{cite web | title = Apology from Former Ex-Gay Leaders | url = http://www.beyondexgay.com/article/apology | date = 2007-06-27 | accessdate = 2009-01-06 }}</ref>
*'''Ben Gresham''' is a 20 year old Australian man who went through 3 years of ex-gay therapy, entering his first one at 16 years of age. His appearance on ABC TV’s 'The Hack Half Hour', 'SX News' and Triple J radio have helped many become aware of the dangers of these ex-gay programs and the psychological harm associated with them. Along with this, Gresham is a part of ''[http://www.freedom2b.org/ Freedom 2 b(e)]'' which offers support to GLBT people from church backgrounds and is also the co-founder of ''‘The Hope Alliance‘'' which takes on the growing number of ex-gay programs in Australia and offers hope to ex-gay survivors. <ref>http://thejoshy.com/?p=100/</ref>
*'''Noe Gutierrez''' appeared in [[Warren Throckmorton]]'s ex-gay video ''I Do Exist'' in 2004. This garnered some notice, as Gutierrez had previously appeared in a video for gay youth known as ''It's Elementary''. Gutierrez later left the ex-gay movement and wrote about his experience. <ref>http://www.exgaywatch.com/wp/2008/05/noe-gutierrez-what-i-learned-from-ex-gay-ministry/</ref>
*'''[[Peterson Toscano]]''' is an actor who was involved in the ex-gay movement for 17 years. He performs a related one-man [[satire]] titled ''[http://www.homonomo.com/ Doin' Time in the Homo No Mo Halfway House]'', and with [[Christine Bakke]] co-runs [[Beyond Ex-Gay]], a support website for people coming out of ex-gay experiences.

== Controversies and scandals==
=== Controversies involving minors ===

One of the most controversial aspects of the ex-gay movement has been the focus of some ex-gay organizations on teenagers,{{Citation needed|date=September 2008}} including occasions where teenagers have been forcibly treated in ex-gay camps. A 2006 report outlined evidence that ex-gay and conversion therapy groups were at the time increasingly focusing on children.<ref name="taskforce">{{cite web
|url=http://www.thetaskforce.org/downloads/reports/reports/YouthInTheCrosshairs.pdf
|title=Youth in the crosshairs: the third wave of ex-gay activism
|accessdate=2007-08-29
|author=Cianciotto, J.; Cahill, S.
|year=2006
|format=pdf
|publisher=National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
}}</ref> Several legal researchers have responded to these events by arguing that parents who force their children into aggressive conversion therapy programs are committing [[child abuse]] under various state statutes.<ref>Talbot, T. ''Reparative therapy for homosexual teens: the choice of the teen should be the only choice discussed'', 27 J. Juv. L. 33. 2006.</ref><ref>Cohan, J. ''Parental Duties and the Right of Homosexual Minors to Refuse "Reparative" Therapy'', 11 Buff. Women's L.J. 67, 2002.</ref>

Some youths have sought [[emancipated minor|emancipation]] from their parents due to parental attempts to force their children to undergo conversion therapy.<ref>{{cite news
|first=Eartha
|last=Melzer
|title=Tenn. opens new probe of ‘ex-gay’ facility: Experts say children should not be forced into counseling
|url=http://www.washblade.com/2005/7-1/news/national/tenopen.cfm
|publisher=Washington Blade
|date=2005-07-01
|accessdate=2007-08-28
}}</ref> One such case involved [[Lyn Duff]]. In 1991, at age 14, Duff [[Coming out|came out]] publicly as a [[lesbian]]. Concerned about her daughter's sexual orientation, Duff's mother had her taken by force from her grandparents' home to Rivendell Psychiatric Center, a residential treatment center near [[Salt Lake City, Utah|Salt Lake City]]. <ref>[http://gibe.com/forum/messages.asp?forumid=23&topicid=2161&pagenum=2 Right-Wing Christians and the Anti-Gay Agenda] Accessed July 10, 2007</ref> Duff's placement was paid for by the State of California through special education funds on the basis of her diagnosis with [[Gender Identity Disorder]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2008}} Her treatment reportedly included [[shock therapy]], [[aversion therapy]], [[psychotropic drugs]], [[hypnosis]], and behavioral counseling.<ref>[http://www.kuro5hin.org/?op=displaystory;sid=2001/3/30/4410/84525 Defending the Right to Pleasure] Accessed July 10, 2007</ref><ref name="Subject: A Lesbian & Gay Youth Detention Center in Utah">[http://www.qrd.org/qrd/usa/utah/lgb.youth.detention.center.in.utah Subject: A Lesbian & Gay Youth Detention Center in Utah] Accessed July 10, 2007</ref><ref>[http://imprint.uwaterloo.ca/issues/112897/2Forum/forum03.shtml Imprint Online] Accessed July 10, 2007</ref><ref>[http://www.qrd.org/qrd/religion/anti/exgay/exgay.ministries.txt ABOUT EX-GAY MINISTRIES] by David Williams, Accessed July 10, 2007</ref> After 168 days in Rivendell, Duff escaped.<ref>[http://www-rcf.usc.edu/~usclrev/pdf/072502.pdf Controlling Desires: Sexual Orientation Conversion and the Limits of Knowledge and Law] By David B. Cruz, Accessed July 10, 2007</ref> In 1992, she initiated legal action against the facility and her mother.<ref>[http://www.abanet.org/publiced/focus/f96poli.html Family Law, Public Policy and New Federalism] by Steven K. Wisensale, Accessed July 10, 2007</ref>

The ex-gay organization [[Love in Action]] has been involved in controversy surrounding youth. In July 2005, ''[[The New York Times]]'' ran a feature story about 16-year-old Zachary Stark, whose parents forced him to attend an ex-gay camp run by the group.<ref>{{cite news
|first=Alex
|last=Williams
|title=Gay Teenager Stirs a Storm
|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B00E4DA1E3DF934A25754C0A9639C8B63
|publisher=New York Times
|date=2005-07-17
|accessdate=2007-10-06
}}</ref> In July 2005, Stark was released from the camp.<ref name="towleroad_200507">[http://towleroad.typepad.com/towleroad/2005/07/zachs_release_i.html Zach's Release from "Love in Action" Imminent]</ref> An investigation of the camp did not uncover signs of child abuse, but in September 2005, the camp was shut down when [[Tennessee]] authorities discovered that unlicensed staff had been administering [[prescription drugs]] to children.<ref>[[n:Tennessee closes down Christian ex-gay camp for treating mental illness without a license|Tennessee closes down Christian ex-gay camp for treating mental illness without a license]], [[WikiNews]], 09-21-2005. Retrieved on 2007-02-08.</ref>

In October 2005, the father of 17-year old DJ Butler reportedly drove his son to a Love in Action camp in handcuffs.<ref name="ben_20060210">{{cite news
|first=Ben
|last=Popper
|title=Love in Court: Gay-to-straight ministry and the state go to court
|url=http://memphisflyer.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A12034
|publisher=[[Memphis Flyer]]
|date=2006-02-10
|accessdate=2007-08-28
}}</ref> In February 2006, Tennessee authorities, unwilling to pursue further actions against Love in Action, closed its case regarding this incident.<ref name="ben_20060210"/>

=== Other controversies and scandals ===
*'''Christopher Austin''' was an ex-gay counselor who was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2007 for [[sexually assault]]ing a male client. Austin was affiliated with and gave presentations at [[NARTH]] and [[Evergreen International]], which describes him as "a therapist specializing in homosexual and [[sexual addiction]] recovery [and] the creator of RENEW, a multi-dimensional treatment approach for men struggling with homosexuality".<ref>{{cite news
|first=Killan
|last=Melloy
|title="Ex-Gay" Counselor Convicted of Sexual Assault on Man
|url=http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=23018
|publisher=EDGE Boston
|date=2007-09-13
|accessdate=2007-08-21
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.evergreeninternational.org/Speakers.htm
|title=Keynote Speakers and Frequent Presenters
|accessdate=2007-09-21
|publisher=Evergreen International
}}</ref>
*'''Colin Cook''', founder of Homosexuals Anonymous, was in 1986 discovered to be engaging in sexual acts with his patients. He claimed that the nude massages of other men should desensitize them against homosexual desires. In 1987, he was expelled from Homosexuals Anonymous for sexual activity, and in 1995 a similar scandal happened with his newly founded group FaithQuest Colorado. Cook had engaged in [[phone sex]], practiced long and grinding hugs, and asked patients to bring [[gay pornography]] to sessions so that he could help desensitize them against it.<ref>{{cite news
|first=V.
|last=Culver
|title=Sessions with gays criticized: Former minister's counseling methods brought reprimands
|publisher=[[Denver Post]]
|date=1995-10-27
}}</ref>
*'''[[Michael Johnston]]''', an [[HIV]]-positive man who is featured in the film ''It's Not Gay'', promoted by the [[American Family Association]], had frequently been interviewed on U.S. television and radio regarding his claimed change in sexuality, and even featured in a national television advertising campaign in 1998 stating that Jesus Christ empowered him to leave his homosexual past. In 2002, he was exposed as having recently resumed having sex with men, and he admitted to having had unprotected sex with multiple male partners without disclosing his HIV-positive status, despite knowing he that he was HIV-positive, for over a period of two years.<ref>{{cite news
|first=Laura
|last=Douglas-Brown
|title=Ex-gay leader Johnston allegedly had sex with men without disclosing he is HIV-positive
|url=http://www.sovo.com/2003/8-8/news/national/exgay.cfm
|publisher=Southern Voice
|date=2003-08-08
|accessdate=2007-08-29
}}</ref>
*'''Terrance Lewis''' was a minister and former counselor at Providence Bible College in [[Winnipeg, Canada]] who was found guilty in February 2008 for sexually assaulting a young man who sought counseling to make him heterosexual. The victim, now 29, told court he started meeting Lewis for counseling sessions in early 2000 after his parents caught him viewing gay pornography on the family computer. The man said Lewis started a program of “touch therapy,” which included the two kissing and fondling each other and engaging in sexual roleplaying. <ref>[http://www.winnipegsun.com/News/Winnipeg/2008/02/14/4847839.html winnipegsun.com - Winnipeg News - Man found guilty in gay "therapy" case]</ref><ref>[http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Crime/2008/02/12/4841898-sun.html CANOE - CNEWS - Crime: Bible college counsellor accused as gay predator]</ref>
*'''[[John Paulk]]''', then leader of [[Focus on the Family]]'s ''[[Love Won Out]]'' conference and chairman of the board for [[Exodus International]] North America, was spotted visiting a [[Washington, D.C]] [[gay bar]] in September 2000 . He was photographed outside of the bar from behind by [[Wayne Besen]], <ref name="paulk">{{cite news
|last=Evangelical Press with additional reporting by Jody Veenker
|title=Ex-Gay Leader Disciplined for Gay Bar Visit
|url=http://www.ctlibrary.com/ct/2000/octoberweb-only/53.0.html
|work=
|publisher=Christianity Today
|date=2000-10-01
|accessdate=2007-08-29
}}</ref> and later stepped down from the two organizations.<ref name="besen">{{cite book
|last=Besen
|first=Wayne
|authorlink=Wayne Besen
|title=Anything but Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth
|year=2003
|publisher=Harrington Park Press
|isbn=1560234458
}}</ref>

== Ex-gay organizations ==
Ex-gay organizations began in the U.S. with [[Evangelical Christian]]s, but have since spread to include [[Catholic]], [[Mormon|LDS]], [[Jewish]], [[Muslim]] and non-religious groups in several countries across the world.

===North and South America===
The first ex-gay ministry was formed in 1973, called [[Love in Action]].<ref>[http://www.loveinaction.org/default.aspx?pid=103 History] retrieved April 14, 2007</ref> Three years later, they joined with other ex-gay organizations to form [[Exodus International]]. Exodus is the largest ex-gay organization, and has grown to include over 120 local ministries in the U.S. and Canada.<ref>[http://exodus.to/content/category/6/24/57/ Who we are]Retrieved April 14, 2007</ref> Exodus International is the largest organization under the Exodus Global Alliance. Many other ex-gay organizations have been formed to cater to a specific religious group, such as [[Courage International|Courage]] for Catholics, [[Evergreen International]] for Mormons (LDS), [[OneByOne]] for [[Presbyterian]]s, Transformation Congregations<ref>[http://www.transformingcong.org Index]</ref> for [[Methodist]]s and [[Jews Offering New Alternatives to Homosexuality|JONAH]] for Jews.

Other organizations have formed to meet specific needs. Witness Freedom Ministries caters to people of color with same-sex attractions.<ref>[http://www.witnessfortheworld.org/enter.html WitnessfortheWorld.org - Changing the World with Truth]</ref> Exodus Youth is a group specifically designed for youth,<ref>[http://exodusyouth.net Exodus Youth]</ref> and the [[NEA]] Ex-Gay Educators Caucus is a group formed to help ex-gay teachers and students.<ref>[http://www.nea-exgay.org NEA Ex-Gay Educators Caucus]</ref> Others form after a specific technique, such as Homosexuals Anonymous<ref>[http://www.ha-fs.org Homosexuals Anonymous Fellowship Services - Home]</ref> which was modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous' 12 step program and [[International Healing Foundation]] was modeled after [[Richard Cohen]]'s methods. [[People Can Change]]<ref>[http://www.peoplecanchange.com People Can Change - An alternative, healing response to unwanted homosexual desires]</ref> and [[PFOX]] are two other ex-gay organizations in North America. A major Web site that supports these efforts is [http://samesexattraction.org Same-sex Attraction].

In 1994, Esly Carvalho began Exodus Latino America.<ref>[http://www.exoduslatinoamerica.org Exodus Latinoamerica]</ref> In 2002, Exodus Brasil<ref>[http://www.exodus.org.br/ Exodus.Brasil]</ref> separated as a separate organization under Global Exodus Alliance. Other groups in [[Latin America]] include Courage Latino<ref>[http://www.courage-latino.org Courage Latino - Inicio]</ref> for Catholics, Elías S.O.S<ref>[http://www.cristianet.com.ar/frame_completa_homosexualidad.php?subaction=showfull&id=1159401356&archive=&start_from=&ucat=23 Elías S.O.S Homepage]</ref> in [[Argentina]], and Camino de Salida<ref>[http://www.geocities.com/caminodesalida Camino De Salida]</ref> in [[Ecuador]]. Es Posible el Cambio<ref>[http://www.esposibleelcambio.org Es posible el cambio]</ref> is an interdenominational group that advocates [[conversion therapy]].

=== Europe ===
In 1975, Johan van de Sluis began EHAH (in [[English language|English]]: Evangelical Counseling for Homosexuals) in [[the Netherlands]].<ref name=ega>[http://www.exodusglobalalliance.org/ourhistoryc87.php Our History]</ref> After visiting an Exodus conference in America, he combined his organization with others to form Exodus Europe in 1982.<ref name=ega /> Exodus Europe included True Freedom Trust in the UK, Medvandrarna<ref>[http://www.medvandrarna.se Medvandrarna]</ref> in Sweden, Til Helhet<ref>[http://www.tilhelhet.no Til Helhet]</ref> in [[Norway]], Basis<ref>[http://www.basis.nu basis - Foreningen AGAPE's arbejde blandt mennesker med problemfyldt seksualitet]</ref> in [[Denmark]], Aslan<ref>[http://www.aslan.fi Aslan - kohti eheyttä]</ref> in [[Finland]], Different (the old EHAH)<ref>http://www.totheildesvolks.nl/engels/ehah.htm</ref> in Belgium and Onze Weg<ref>[http://www.onzeweg.nl/ Webpagina van stichting Onze Weg]</ref> in the Netherlands. In April 2007, Exodus Europe decided to break away from the Global Exodus Alliance because it was too affected by American thinking.<ref>[http://www.exgaywatch.com/wp/2006/12/exodus-european/ Exodus European Member Ministries Secede | Ex-Gay Watch]</ref> These ministries are now part of LINC (Live in Christ). <ref>[http://www.liveinchrist.eu LINC - Live IN Christ]</ref> The [[United Kingdom]] also has Encourage <ref>[http://www.encouragetrust.org.uk Encouragetrust]</ref> for Catholics and [[StraightWay Foundation]]<ref>[http://straightway.sinfree.net/ StraightWay - The Straight Struggle]</ref> for Muslims.

=== Australia and Asia ===
In 1978, Peter Lane began the first ex-gay group in [[Australia]], which was called Liberty Ministry.<ref name=ega /> In 1987, it joined with other ministries to form Exodus Asia Pacific.<ref>[http://www.exodusasiapacific.org welcome to EXODUS ASIA PACIFIC]</ref> In 1990 Frank Worthen went to [[the Philippines]] and formed Bagong Pag-asa.<ref>[http://www.bagongpagasa.org Bagong Pagasa]</ref> Other significant ex-gay groups under Exodus Asia Pacific include Liberty Christian Ministries<ref>[http://www.libertychristianministries.org.au Liberty Christian Ministries Inc. - Home]</ref> in Australia, Rainbow 7<ref>[http://www.rainbow-7.org.tw/ 歡迎您來到台灣走出埃及關懷輔導協會]</ref> in [[Taiwan]], Liberty League<ref>[http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/188060/1/.html Non-profit group gets grant to promote 'healthy gender identity']</ref> in [[Singapore]] and Pursuing Liberty Under Christ <ref>[http://www.asianbeacon.org/articles.php?aid=137 Asian Beacon]</ref> in [[Malaysia]].

Ex-gay organizations in the [[Middle East]] include [[Atzat Nefesh]]<ref>[http://www.atzat-nefesh.org Atzat-Nefesh]</ref> for Jews and Al-Tawbah<ref>[http://www.al-tawbah.faithweb.com Home]</ref> for Muslims.

==See also==
*[[Ex-ex-gay]]
*[[Mixed-orientation marriage]]
*[[Same-sex attraction]]
*[[American Family Association v. City and County of San Francisco]]
*[[Ego-dystonic homosexuality]]

== References ==
{{reflist|3}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.ewtn.com/library/humanity/homo.htm Christian Anthropology and Homosexuality]
* [http://www.catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?RecNum=3336 "Homosexuality & Hope] Catholic Medical Association

=== Ex-gay organizations and advocacy groups ===

*{{dmoz|Society/Religion_and_Spirituality/Christianity/Perspectives/Sexuality/Homosexuality|Christian Perspectives on Homosexuality and Bisexuality}}
*{{dmoz|Society/Issues/Gay,_Lesbian,_and_Bisexual/Opposing_Views|Views Opposing Homosexuality and Bisexuality}}

=== Sites critical of ex-gay movement ===
* [http://www.exgaywatch.com Ex-Gay Watch] Watchdog blog reporting on conversion therapy and the ex-gay movement
* [http://truthwinsout.com/ Truth Wins Out] Non-profit organization, founded by [[Wayne Besen]], to oppose the ex-gay movement. Name is parody of [[Focus on the Family]]'s [[Love Won Out]]
*[http://www.beyondexgay.com/ Beyond Ex-Gay] Support website co-run by [[Peterson Toscano]] and Christine Bakke, for people coming out of ex-gay experiences
* [http://www.glaad.org/action/campaigns_detail.php?id=3305& GLAAD on Ex-gays] - [[Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation]] (GLAAD) resources on ex-gays
* [http://www.pflag.org/index.php?id=280 PFLAG responds to ex-gay movement] - [[Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays]] fact sheet about the conversion therapy movement
* [http://www.outstraight.net OutStraight]
* [http://exgayaustralianewzealand.wordpress.com/ Ex-Gay Australia & New Zealand] Watchdog blog reporting on conversion therapy and the ex-gay movement in Australia and New Zealand

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