FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Wayne Besen, Executive Director
Phone: 917-691-5118
E-Mail: wbesen@truthwinsout.org

Goal of Restored Hope Network is to Replace Exodus International, Says TWO

Burlington, Vt. – Truth Wins Out strongly condemned a new network of so-called “ex-gay” ministries today that is offering clients false hope and grossly distorting the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. The Restored Hope Network’s goal was revealed today on the blog of Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays (PFOX) when the group wrote: “This is the new ex-gay organization that has formed to replace Exodus.”

The Restored Hope Network largely consists of disgruntled ministries that have left Exodus International, the world’s largest “ex-gay” umbrella group. They became enraged after the organization’s president, Alan Chambers, offered a realistic portrait of attempts to change one’s sexual orientation – saying 99.9 percent of clients don’t transform from gay to straight.
“The Restored Hope Network is a coalition of hardcore ideologues who reject reality, mislead clients, and distort the lives of LGBT people,” said Truth Wins Out’s Executive Director Wayne Besen. “Exodus President Alan Chambers told the truth – that change from gay to straight is not possible – but truth and facts are inconvenient obstacles for the snake oil salesmen that comprise the Restored Hope Network.”
Chambers recently upset the fringe of his movement by telling the New York Times:

“I do not believe that ‘cure’ is a word that is applicable to really any struggle, homosexuality included. For someone to put out a shingle and say, ‘I can cure homosexuality’ – that to me is as bizarre as someone saying they can cure any other common temptation or struggle that anyone faces on Planet Earth.”

The Restored Hope Network will be holding its inaugural conference on September 21-22 at Sunrise Community Church in Fair Oaks, CA. Speakers will include Frank Worthen, Andy Comiskey (Desert Stream Ministries), and Dr. Robert Gagnon (Pittsburgh Theological Seminary).

“Truth Wins Out will be in California to help counter the lies and misinformation disseminated by this new organization,” said TWO Communications Director John Becker. “Far from restoring hope, leaders of the so-called Restored Hope Network are fond of calling LGBT people perverse; some key members even believe that homosexuality is influenced by demons. Our job is to show the American people just how extreme and out of touch this organization truly is.”

In the coming days, Truth Wins Out will provide the full schedule of our activities countering the “ex-gay” myth in Fair Oaks. Truth Wins Out is a nonprofit organization that fights anti-LGBT extremism. TWO specializes in turning information into action by organizing, advocating and fighting for LGBT equality.