FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Besen’s Will Join Local Community To Counter New Radical Ex-Gay Start-Up The Restored Hope Network

Sacramento, CA — Truth Wins Out’s Executive Director Wayne Besen will be speaking in Sacramento on Saturday, giving a multi-media presentation on the “ex-gay” myth. He will be discussing the Restored Hope Network, a new “ex-gay” group that will be hosting its inaugural conference in the area. The Restored Hope Network is a disgruntled group of extremists vying to replace the largest so-called “ex-gay” network, Exodus International, after the group’s leader, Alan Chambers, claimed that 99.9% of clients do not convert from gay to straight.

Besen will be speaking at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral’s International Hall, Saturday, Sept. 22, from 6-8:30 PM. All Out’s Adam Banks, who will discuss the impact of “ex-gay” organizations worldwide, will join him. And, Dr. Derrick Lawson, who endured three years of “ex-gay” therapy, will discuss the harm of such programs. PFLAG, Breaking Barriers, the GLBT Center, Agenda Health Center, Faces, and Head Hunters are sponsoring the event.

“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. “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.”

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).

John Smid, former leader of the Exodus ministry, Love in Action, also believes that the Restored Hope Network is selling a false bill of goods.

“The Restored Hope Network will not succeed,” said Smid. “Far too many truth tellers exist today. It is a remnant alright, but one that will quickly sink. It may have worked in 1974, but it will not work today. They do not have the goods, nor the truth.”

Besen will also be speaking on Sept. 26 at the LA Gay & Lesbian Center’s Renberg Theatre
from 7-8pm. There will be a reception in the courtyard and gallery 8-9:30pm.

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.