Hong Kong Fights "Ex-Gay" Movement

Dan Choi writes on Change.org:

I write with great concern because Hong Kong's Social Welfare Department recently held a workshop for its staff led by a psychiatrist who claims he can "cure" LGBT people by having them take cold showers. The quack doctor, Hong Kwai-wah, is affiliated with Exodus Global Alliance, a discredited group whose work is rejected by every major medical and mental health organization. As the "ex-gay" message fails in America, Exodus is looking to exploit new markets and export hate overseas. Exodus' last global "outreach" was in Uganda, leading to the notorious and deadly Anti-Homosexuality Bill. This is why it is crucial that we stand up today against Exodus' opportunistic spread of homophobic lies in Asia. By signing our petition, you will tell the Social Welfare Department that its endorsement of "ex-gay therapy" is bringing great shame to Hong Kong and making a mockery of the department's mission to empower communities with dignity, harmony, and happiness.

Hit the above link to sign the petition.

GHANA: 'Human Rights' Commissioner Vows To Keep Homosexuality Illegal

The laughably titled Human Rights Commissioner of Ghana says she was misquoted and would never endorse the decriminalization of homosexuality.

"I did not advocate that homosexuality should be decriminalized. My view is that, it currently isn’t clear whether it is even criminal and that if the view of the society is that it should be then, there should be a debate about that. In my view I don’t think as a society we are ready to give homosexuals, lesbians the whole category of people any of those kind of rights."

Sex between men is illegal in Ghana. The law makes no mention of lesbians.



RELATED: Yesterday Ghana's Presbyterian church announced plans to open "ex-gay" centers for the de-gaying of the nation's homosexuals.

The Ladybird Cure

(Tipped by JMG reader Will)

GHANA: "Ex-Gay" Centers Proposed

As renewed anti-gay sentiment festers in Ghana, the local Presbyterian church has proposed establishing "ex-gay" centers for the de-gaying of the nation's homosexuals.

The Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), is to establish therapy centres for homosexual victims for counselling and rehabilitation in the various communities. The church has therefore called on the government to come out with a clear position on homosexuality in the country, to enable the church to offer the necessary support in helping to reduce the spread of the practice in the society. The Moderator of the General Assembly of the PCG, Right Reverend Professor Emmanuel Martey said this at the commissioning of 36 Ministerial Probationers of the church at the Ranseyer Congregation, at Abetifi. He said homosexuality was spreading fast in the society and urged the country’s leaders and Ministers to put up effective measures to check it and transform the destiny of the country.

(Tipped by JMG reader Mitch)

IOWA: Crazy Eyes Attends Anti-Gay Church Service Supporting "Ex-Gay" Movement

Last June while doing a YouTube search on the term "ex-gay", I came across a video so outrageously ridiculous that it quickly went viral after its posting here on JMG. Here's what I wrote that day.

Adam Hood says gays must be quarantined or else "they'll bring their gangrene into heaven." Supposedly Hood became "ex-gay" after "finding God in the Castro" in the midst of a heroin binge. (Ever notice how we don't really hear from any successful, sober, otherwise happy people who suddenly become "ex-gay"?) This clip is so out there, I kept expecting the satire to become suddenly apparent. Sadly, no.

Today MSNBC reports that this weekend Rep. Michele Bachmann attended a church service that played this very insane video as part of a presentation denouncing homosexuality.

Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann yesterday attended a church here in Iowa, where the pastor called homosexuality "immoral" and "unnatural," and later showed a testimonial video from a man who claimed to have been gay before having a conversation with God. Before the sermon at Point of Grace Church -- a non-denominational congregation near Des Moines -- Bachmann stood with her husband, Marcus Bachmann, before a crowd of about 100 people, clutching her personal copy of the Bible. When Bachmann and her husband returned to their seats, Mullen began a half-hour presentation on his church's beliefs. Reading verses from the Bible to support his case, Mullen said, "We inherently know that homosexual behavior is immoral and unnatural." “God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,” Mullen said, reading from the book of Romans.

Here's the legendary clip one more time.



RELATED: Since the above clip is now more than a year old, it would be interesting to hear what Adam Hood is doing today. Email me if you know.

Crazy Eyes: Leave Ladybird Alone!

Crazy Eyes Dodges "Ex-Gay" Questions

Again, Bachmann refuses to answer questions about her husband's "ex-gay" torture clinic, which she co-owns.

ILLINOIS: Mega-Church Dumps "Ex-Gays" At Exodus International

The Illinois-based mega-church Willow Creek says it is cutting its ties with Exodus International, the infamous group of "ex-gay" liars who promote reparative therapy.

Susan DeLay, director of media relations at the mega-church, says Willow Creek ending its relationship with Exodus does not mean it is any less welcoming to people with same-sex attraction, as "Willow Creek has a whole host of ministries for people dealing with these issues. All we've changed," she continues, "is how we've gone about inviting them into the church, which is the primary issue here." Jeff Buchanan, executive vice president of Exodus International, says his group is disappointed with Willow Creek's decision. "To date, we're still not very clear on the reason why. Our church association is meant to be a referral network of churches that are willing to receive those who are dealing with unwanted same-sex attractions and they're looking for ministry and for help, and that's the sole purpose of their association with us," Buchanan explains. "So, we are still left with questions and a little bit perplexed as to why they have chosen to pull out."

VIDEO: Gay Barbarians Glitter Ladybird Bachmann's "Ex-Gay" Torture Clinic

MINNESOTA: Gay Barbarians Glitter-Bomb Ladybird Bachmann's "Ex-Gay" Clinic

Think Progress has the story.

CANADA: Hate Group Hates That Hating Might Cost Them Tax Exempt Status

An snti-gay Christian hate group in Canada is furious at the New Democrats for endorsing a resolution calling for an end to the tax exempt status of groups performing "ex-gay" therapy.

Brian Rushfeldt, executive director of Canada Family Action (CFA), contends the NDP's resolution is "blatant discrimination" against groups that assist those exiting the homosexual lifestyle. Canada Family Action"When they will target a few particular ministries that minister to people wanting to get out of the homosexual lifestyle ... and say, 'We're going to shut you down,' there is no other word for it except blatant discrimination based somehow on left-wing socialist ideology," Rushfeldt decides. "Thankfully, the NDP is simply a party that will never, I don't think, be forming government in Canada. So that's a great protection for us from this kind of ideology."

Tweet Of The Day - Steve Martin

Joy Behar Vs. "Ex-Gay" Minister

HomoQuotable - Dan Savage

"Gay people who point out how fruity Bachmann is aren't saying there's something wrong with being fruity, or with being gay, or with guys who look, speak, walk, or dance the way Bachmann does. A lot of us look, speak, walk, and dance that way. And we don't think there's anything wrong with us for looking, speaking, walking, or dancing that way. I've never met a gay man who objected to Modern Family's Cam, who looks, speaks, walks, and dances the Bachmann way. And we certainly don't think there's anything wrong with being gay. But Marcus Bachmann sure does. He thinks there's a whole lot wrong with being gay. And when we point out that this same Marcus Bachmann acts like a huge homo—like a huge, messy, married, dishonest, closeted version Cam—we're not mocking the fruits. We're hoisting that pansy with his own hateful petard." - Dan Savage, writing for Slog.

"Ex-Gay" Convention Set For Minnesota

Exodus International will hold its 2012 annual "ex-gay" convention in St. Paul, Minnesota. Did the Bachmanns have something to do with that?

Amid news that Rep. Michele Bachmann’s Christian counseling clinic performs therapy aimed at “curing” gays and lesbians of homosexuality, the nation’s largest “ex-gay” organization, Exodus International, announced it will hold its annual conference, “Exodus Freedom,” in St. Paul next year. The last time an Exodus conference came to Minnesota, Bachmann gave it a glowing endorsement. According to Exodus International, the conference will be held the last weekend of July 2012 at Northwestern College. Northwestern is a private Christian college with deep connections to Minnesota’s most conservative Christians. Minnesota Family Council CEO John Helmberger was a member of the college’s board of trustees until 2008, and current MFC associate Megan Doyle sits on the board. Bachmann’s been a speaker at the college, and the school has placed interns with her office.

When Exodus last held its convention in Minnesota, Crazy Eyes welcomed them: "I know that Love Won Out will present the truth about homosexuality and present it in a compassionate and loving manner. Those of us working to safeguard marriage from redefinition by radical judges must inform our efforts with an understanding of the deep emotional wounds that many in the homosexual community carry. I look forward to welcoming Minnesotans and residents of surrounding states to hear the message of healing that is possible."

CBN On British "Ex-Gay" Sting

I covered the below incident when it took place in 2009. CBN is looking for a fresh angle in light of the Bachmann situation.

Marcus Bachmann, Therapizer

Another winner from JMG reader Sean Chapin.

MSNBC Plays Entire "Doctored' Tape By Ladybird Marcus Bachmann

HomoQuotable - Marcus Bachmann

"I was talking in reference to children. Nothing, nothing to do with homosexuality. That's not my mindset. That's not my belief system. That's not the way I would talk. I think the strongest myth is the myth that I have ever called a homosexual a barbarian. We don't have an agenda or a philosophy of trying to change someone." - Ladybird Marcus Bachmann, claiming that the audio tape in which he calls gays "barbarians" was doctored.

MTV Airs Uncritical "Ex-Gay" Program

Unless I missed some disclaimer at the top of the show, last night's "ex-gay" episode of MTV's Real Life was completely uncritical of the abuses, torture, and brainwashing inherent in "reparative therapy." Weigh in if you saw the show, please. I'm looking for clips.