Exodus International Offers False Hope, Divorces and Ruined Lives, Says TWO
NEW YORK — TruthWinsOut.org (TWO) will join a coalition of state and local North Carolina organizations to counter a conference in Asheville (July 15-20) that plans to teach people to “pray away the gay.’ The controversial Exodus International symposium will sell books that promote exorcisms and encourage gay men to play touch football and lesbians to wear lipstick to become heterosexual.
“Ex-gay groups would be a farce if its failures weren’t so destructive to individuals and families,” said Wayne Besen, Executive Director of TruthWinsOut.org. “We plan a robust week of activities to highlight the harm caused by this nefarious right wing organization and to show the truth about the lives of GLBT people. I want to thank the Coalition for Equality for their commitment to educating North Carolinians about the dangers of the “ex-gay’ myth and the positive contributions GLBT people make to the community.”
Schedule of Events, July 15-20
Tuesday, July 15, 7:00–8:30 PM, Kick off Event
“Can You Pray Away the Gay?”
Firestorm Caf?© & Books (48 Commerce St., Asheville)
Speakers: Wayne Besen, Director, TruthWinsOut.org and author of “Anything But Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-gay Myth,” and Ian Palmist, Director, Equality NC
Wednesday, July 16, 7:00 PM
Film: “For the Bible Tells Me So”
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Swannanoa Valley (500 Montreat Rd. Black Mountain , NC 28711)
Co-hosted by Common Light Meeting Place, Discussion follows, led by Laine Calloway,Gay & Lesbian Ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of WNC
Thursday, July 17, 6:45 PM
Film: “For the Bible Tells Me So”
Henderson County Library (301 Washington St., Hendersonville, NC 28739)
Hosted by Pflag Flat Rock/Hendersonville & Love Welcomes All Committee
Discussion afterward led by Rev. Jerry Miller
Friday, July 18, 7:00 PM
Film: “Fish Can’t Fly”
Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville
Charlotte St. at Edwin Place, Asheville, NC 28801
Discussion follows. Wayne Besen will discuss appearing in the film
Saturday, July 19, 11 AM — 2 PM Real-Families Picnic!!
Recreation Park – 69 Gashes Creek Rd. Asheville, NC 28805
(off Swannanoa River Rd. next to WNC Nature Center)
The Coalition for Equality consists of the following organizations: First Congregational United, Church of Christ Asheville, PFLAG Asheville, PFLAG Hendersonville/Flat Rock, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Swannanoa Valley, Gay and Lesbian Ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina, Western North Carolina, Citizens for an End to Institutional Bigotry, Employment Equality for Gays and Lesbians, People of Faith for Just Relationships, Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville, Equality NC Foundation, National Organization for Women – Asheville Chapter, and Common Light Meeting Place.
