Scandal-tinged NARTH Conference Also Fails To Generate Support
The so-called “ex-gay” industry suffered twin setbacks in the past month with two highly touted events failing to live up to expectations. This week, the much-anticipated “Allies Too” campaign floundered in its attempt to win support in high schools for its ex-gay message. This sub par campaign followed the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality’ (NARTH) annual conference in Dallas, which attracted only 50 therapists, according to media reports. The double disappointments reveal that ex-gay programs do not have broad public support and are merely publicity stunts with little following or substance, said Truth Wins Out.
“The “Allies Too’ week was a bust because students were smart enough to understand that it was an exclusionary ex-gay message packaged and sold as a tolerance campaign,” said Wayne Besen, Executive Director of Truth Wins Out. “NARTH’ support has been eroding ever since it was discovered that its website housed an essay that seemed to justify slavery. Credible researchers don’t want to be associated with this fringe organization and I think this was reflected in the paltry attendance numbers at NARTH’ annual conference.”
The Allies Too campaign received little media attention outside of a few fundamentalist Christian websites and publications. Having checked with sources, there is little evidence that it even left a footprint in schools. Indeed, there were so few real participants, that a puff article in The Christian Post was reduced to quoting the 19-year old brother of Matt Barber, policy director for cultural issues at Concerned Women for America.
Truth Wins OUT is a non-profit organization that counters right wing propaganda, exposes the “ex-gay” myth and educates America about gay life. For more information, visit www.TruthWinsOut.org.
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