Since the early 2000’s Mike Airhart, David Roberts, and volunteer authors at Ex-Gay Watch kept their eyes on the workings of the Conversion Therapy world and its leaders. They broke many stories and informed both the public and press about the many ways conversion therapists (most who never had any actual training in counseling, therapy, or theology) inserted themselves into the public discourse and insisted that “Change is Possible!”
What the proponents and practicers of these made-up therapies failed to mention was that “Change” did not mean changing one’s desires. Their clever marketing to susceptible Christians leveraged the fear and shame anti-LGBTQ+ church leaders piled on congregations.
Only after going through the doors of conversion therapy programs and ministries, I realized that they really just meant a change in “behavior” and “lifestyle.” Whenever possible they trotted out straight spouses and children to support the myth that So and So had CHANGED! They never mentioned the possibility that some people are bisexual or the reality that most of these “mixed orientation” marriages end in divorce. Once the kids leave home, daddy or mommy comes out!
Worse yet, they never revealed the harm that people who submitted to their treatments suffered. That took conversion therapy survivors to step up and tell their stories. Some conversion therapy leaders were so moved by these stories, they relented and repented of their conversion therapy ministries. Some even issued public apologies.
After some of the harm and abuses came to light, some states outlawed conversion therapy on minors. The North American conversation therapy shops began to close down one after an other, and Exodus, the big umbrella organization finally announced its closure in 2015.
But just like in the whack-a-mole game, some of the conversation therapy proponents are sticking their heads up from their underground lairs and causing trouble again. Their number one target this time? Transgender and gender non-binary youth.
Rebranded, they are attempting once again to interfere in the life, liberty, and happiness of queer youth and their families. To keep an eye on all this and to bring it to the light, David Roberts, senior editor of Ex-Gay Watch, has reopened the site and has begun posting new articles. They are also looking for writers who can report on the ins and outs of the conversion therapy world.
Check out Ex-Gay Watch, and let me know if you want to write for them.
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