VIRGINIA: Bill To Ban "Ex-Gay" Torture Of Minors Introduced In Both State Chambers

From the National Center for Lesbian Rights:

Today, Virginia Delegate Patrick Hope and Senator Louise Lucas introduced a bill protecting children and their families from the dangerous and discredited practice of conversion therapy, joining a growing number of states and jurisdictions to consider and pass legislation to put an end to the discredited practice. The bill reflects the unanimous view of medical, mental health, and child welfare experts that attempts to change a young person’s sexual orientation or gender identity are ineffective and unsafe, putting youth at risk of severe long-term health impacts, including depression, substance abuse, and even suicide.

“Today, more than ever, it is clear that state legislatures need to step up to the plate to protect LGBT youth from the dangerous and discredited practices of conversion therapy,” said National Center for Lesbian Rights Staff Attorney and #BornPerfect Campaign Coordinator Samantha Ames. “We commend Delegate Hope and Senator Lucas, as well all the local organizers who have worked tirelessly to get this bill introduced and ensure all Virginian children are able to grow up in communities and families where they are loved for exactly who they are.”

RELATED: "Ex-gay" torture is currently banned in California, New Jersey, and Washington DC. Similar bills have stalled in several other states due to pressure from anti-gay groups. In New York the GOP-led Senate blocked the bill from even coming to a vote.

Linda Harvey On CA's "Ex-Gay" Bill

"Similar bills may soon be introduced in New Jersey and a few other states. It’s the latest strategy of those who oppose biblical morality to portray high sexual standards as being mean and hateful. Good luck with that because most of America is starting to see how false and harmful the gay agenda is and it’s our youth who are particularly at risk. There are no words to describe how seriously evil this is. It can affect certain children in a make it or break it way.

"Imagine you are the parent of a thirteen year old son who announces that he think he might be gay and wants to start daring other guys! You as a well-informed Christian know this is not the way he was born and that he could easily start down the road of spiritual, emotional and physical tragedy. But no counselor in California can now share this information with your son if they choose to follow this law." - Hate group leader Linda Harvey, speaking on her radio show.

Nicaraguan Pastors: We Will Die Or Go To Prison Before Giving Up Kidnapped Child

The Nicaraguan pastors shielding Isabella Miller from her lesbian mom say they will gladly go to prison or be put to death before surrendering the child to authorities. Last month a jury convicted one of their American conspirators on the same day that the girl's mother filed a RICO lawsuit against numerous U.S.-based Christian groups.

The Brotherhood says that they forgive their persecutors, but will stand firm in the defense of Isabella, now 10 years old, who “has become an innocent victim of an ungodly agenda.” “Her wellbeing has not been given much or any consideration. According to the Bible we believe that God has given Lisa sole responsibility to care and protect her own daughter since she has no known father. According to the Bible it is a war between good and evil, a battle between God and Satan. As congregations we stand united in this spiritual warfare against evil.”

The Brotherhood add that they are willing to suffer imprisonment or death in the cause of protecting Isabella. “The fact is that suddenly we find ourselves having to choose between obeying God and man made laws,” they write. “We have chosen to obey God. We are willing to give up our rights, go to jail, or even die, for the cause of helping anyone become free from a sinful life and helping that person to live in obedience to God’s Word.”

The Liberty Counsel, who was named in Janet Jenkins' lawsuit, say they plan to sue her for defamation.

Tweet Of The Day - Jane Lynch

Now YOU do the same. Tweet him @JerryBrownGov.

"Ex-Gay" Ban Heads To Gov. Jerry Brown

California's bill to ban "ex-gay" therapy for minors has cleared its final hurdle before heading to the desk of Gov. Jerry Brown.

The state Senate on Thursday sent the governor a bill that would prohibit so-called sexual-conversion therapy for minors, aimed at changing their orientation from gay to straight. Sen. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) proposed the measure based on concern by medical groups involving psychologists and psychiatrists that the therapy is not based on sound scientific principles. "The entire house of medicine has rejected this phony and sham therapy. It really is junk science,’’ Lieu told his fellow Senators. "The American Psychiatric Assn. says it poses great risk to individuals including feelings of guilt, self-hatred, shame. Some people commit suicide having gone through this.’’ The bill was approved with a 22-12 party line vote, with Republicans objecting to the state telling parents and teenagers what kind of therapy they can pursue.

The bill is vigorously opposed by PFOX, NARTH, the Catholic Church, and other hate groups that enjoy brainwashing and torturing gay children.

Tell CA Gov. Jerry Brown To Sign The Bill To Ban "Ex-Gay" Abuses Of LGBT Children

Sign the petition right now. Brown may get the bill very soon.

CALIFORNIA: "Ex-Gay" Therapy Ban For Minors Passes In State Assembly

California's bill to outlaw "ex-gay" therapy for minors was approved by the state Assembly yesterday. The bill has already passed in the state Senate.

The 51-21 vote in the Democratic-controlled Assembly marked a major victory for gay rights advocates who say the so-called conversion therapy has no medical basis because homosexuality is not a disorder. Opponents of the practice say such attempts to change sexual orientation can cause depression and lead to substance abuse and suicide. Several openly gay legislators championed the bill in emotional speeches during the floor debate, citing their own childhood experiences.

"One of our No. 1 priorities in this house is to protect the next generation of Californians," said Ricardo Lara, a Democrat from Los Angeles County. "And some of those are sissy boys. And some of those sissy boys grow up to be Assembly members. And some of those sissy boys need help. And we are here to stand with those sissy boys." The Senate passed its version of the bill by a vote of 23-13 in May. Lawmakers must iron out minor differences in the two measures by Friday before a final bill makes its way to the desk of Democratic Governor Jerry Brown.

Gov. Brown has made no public comment on how he might vote on the bill. In the clip below, openly gay Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez argues for passage of the bill.

NOM Speaker Robert Gagnon To Keynote "Ex-Gay" Brainwashing Conference

Virulently anti-gay nutcase Robert "Gay Is Worse Than Incest" Gagnon, who regularly speaks at NOM affiliated events, will keynote the September "ex-gay" conference by the brand spanking new Restored Hope Network, which was apparently formed in reaction to Exodus International's recent rejection of brainwashing and torture.

Restored Hope Network (RHN) has recently been formed by leaders from throughout North America who seek to minister to homosexuals and other sexually broken individuals according to the historic doctrines of the Christian faith. We seek to be honest about the need for repentance in the life of believer and nonbeliever alike and we seek to communicate the many ways that God brings about real and lasting change in the life of anyone who turns to Him and allows Him to take them through a life-transforming process. One of RHN's founding leaders is Frank Worthen, who was the key figure in the founding of Exodus International in 1973.

Of this new network, Frank writes: "I am feeling inexpressible joy that the Lord has brought together a group of people who will not allow the message of hope and change to die in a sea of misguided social/cultural relevance. Restored Hope Network will now carry the torch of freedom from the sin and degradation of homosexuality and the transforming power of Jesus Christ." Restored Hope Network will be holding its inaugural conference this coming September 21 & 22 at Sunrise Community Church in Fair Oaks, CA (Sacramento area). Speakers will include Frank Worthen, Andy Comiskey (Desert Stream Ministries), Dr. Robert Gagnon (Pittsburgh Theological Seminary) and others.

Only $50 a head. Which is what you'll get in their toilet.

Alan Chambers: I Have To Be Honest, I'm Still Digging Hot Sexy Men

Alan Chambers: "I have to be honest and say, 'Of course I have temptations. Of course I have attractions related to the same sex.' But for over 15 years since I've been in a relationship with Leslie, my attraction is for her." He adds, "Am I heterosexual? I don't know. I'm not gay." Since Chambers announced the end of his support for "reparative therapy," Exodus International has been scorned and denounced by their former colleagues in brainwashing. Chambers now glumly calls for a lifetime of untouched, unloved celibacy for those who can't fake it with the opposite sex.

Headline Of The Day

This is how Christianist media is spinning the Lisa Miller case.

BREAKING: Jury Finds Preacher Guilty Of Kidnapping Daughter Of Lesbian Mom

Finally we have some (partial) resolution in the case of Lisa Miller, the "ex-gay" mom who kidnapped her daughter to Nicaragua rather than obey multiple court orders that awarded custody to her former partner. Via the Hartford Courant:

A Mennonite minister was found guilty on Tuesday of aiding and abetting international kidnapping by helping a woman flee to Nicaragua with her daughter to evade court orders giving visitation rights to her former lesbian partner. The case has drawn widespread attention as gay rights groups and evangelical Christian groups have taken opposing sides in the legal battle between the two women over Isabella Miller-Jenkins, now 10. Federal prosecutors say Kenneth Miller of Stuarts Draft, Virginia, helped orchestrate Lisa Miller's flight to Canada and Nicaragua in 2009 with her daughter out of Christian solidarity with her decision to reject homosexuality and her former partner. The two Millers are not related. The jury deliberated only a few hours before finding Kenneth Miller guilty. He faces the possibility of three years in prison. No sentencing date was set.

I said "partial" because NOW we need to see some felony conspiracy counts for Liberty Counsel president Mat Staver and his accomplices.

Pastor Down Low Explains Jesus

"Ex-Gay" Group PFOX: It's Fascist To Stop Us From Our Fascist Torture Of Gay Kids

Parent & Friends Of "Ex-Gays" are predictably quivering with anger over California's proposed bill to ban the torture and brainwashing of LGBT children. PFOX writes to the bill's main sponsor, CA Sen. Ted Lieu:

Sponsoring legislation endorsed by the gay lobby to ensure that children only receive gay-affirming therapy is an act of childhood endangerment and an unconstitutional attempt to deny parental rights everywhere, but especially for parents in California and those in your Torrance district. Your bill will turn California into a nanny state by usurping the civil rights of parents who support their child's right to receive therapy for unwanted same-sex attractions, especially when that child has been sexually molested. This smacks of fascism and ex-gay bashing. As parents of gays and ex-gays, we are ashamed of your willingness to take action against parents, children, and the family in order to support gay activists. It is people like you who endanger children, and not their parents, whom you wish to dictate on how they raise their own children. California is not a socialist state and our children do not belong to the government, subject to the ideology of the state over the objections of their parents.

PFOX's letter is illustrated with a CDC graph on AIDS, of course. Last week the bill passed out its Assembly committee and must be approved by the full chamber before heading back to the Senate (where it's already been approved) for concurrence. It then would head to the desk of Gov. Jerry Brown, who has as yet not indicated his stance on the bill.

RELATED: Several major "ex-gay" figures have recently confessed that "reparative therapy" does not work, earning them the condemnation of their former colleagues in child abuse.

Petition Of The Day

The petition is here. Video explanation below.

Southworth: Why I Outed Jonathan Merritt

Send A Prayergram To Outed (And Already "Ex-Gay") Author Jonathan Merritt

This morning just outed and already "ex-gay" Christian author Jonathan Merritt presumably confessed his previous love for hot sweaty mansex before the Atlanta megachurch of his father, the former president of the Southern Baptist Convention. We'll have to wait to hear how that went over, but today the church posted the above request for "prayergrams" in the names of Merritt and his horribly, horribly embarrassed dad. (Tipped by JMG reader Dwight)

RELATED: In case you're just joining this carnival of hypocrisy, you should know that Jonathan Merritt is a best-selling Christian author and religion columnist for outlets such as USA Today, The Atlantic, and others. Merritt is a popular and reportedly charismatic speaker who tours major churches to deliver speeches about the sin of homosexuality and the perils of same-sex marriage, all while cautioning his audiences to be forgiving and kind as they condemn LGBT people.

Outed Christian Author Jonathan Merritt: Yes, I Had Sex With Azariah Southworth But I Swear I Am Totally Not Gay!

"In 2009, I was contacted by the blogger [Azariah Southworth] in response to an article I wrote about just that--that Christians must love people who experience sexual brokenness. We corresponded several times by email and text for a couple of weeks, some of them inappropriate. When I was traveling through a city near him, we met for dinner because we'd corresponded so recently. As we were saying goodbye, we had physical contact that went beyond the bounds of friendship. I was overcome with guilt, knowing I had put myself in an unwise situation. We never saw each other again and we ceased contact after a period of time.

"When I returned home, I saw a Christian counselor to address the events in my life and sort through my childhood and what I believed God wanted for me. I also began to acknowledge to myself that I have sin in my past, sin for which I accept responsibility. Inappropriate texting, inappropriate actions are inappropriate no matter who the other party is. These were my decisions and no one else's. It's from my brokenness, that I feel I can now be transparent, honest, and authentic about these accusations. Those close to me know I have actually been planning to share the story of my brokenness for some time. Because it is part of my spiritual journey. And because it underscores the power of the Gospel to transform lives." - Anti-gay Christian author Jonathan Merritt, in an interview just posted to the blog of evangelist Ed Setzer.

RELATED: I guess that special announcement to Daddy's congregation will be old news by the time those pews fill up this Sunday.

He Is 90% Cured Of The Gay

Thanks to NARTH and the Journey Into Manhood retreat, where he bro-hugged away all his girly ways. Or something. These days he only thinks about hot sweaty man sex 10% of the time.

Alan Chambers: Perverted Homosexual Leaders Are Like Hitler And Marx

IMPORTANT UPDATE: It appears the below quote was first published by the Christianist Charisma Magazine in 2004. Ex-Gay Watch speculates as to why the story is now appearing on the magazine's front page with today's date: "Is someone at the conservative Christian publication trying to sabotage him [Chambers] by bringing up his past words?" As always, infighting is funny. And also, in this case, fascinating.

"Pro-homosexual leaders realized the same truth employed by Hitler and Marx: To advance their agenda they must radically influence the hearts and minds of young people. Because Mom and Dad are working all day and Susie and Junior are in school and then home alone, activists came up with a plan: Use public schools, television, the Internet and other youth-friendly venues to influence the way young people view homosexuality. Under the guise of AIDS education, groups such as the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network gained access into public schools.

"Similarly, pro-homosexual activists ran for school board positions and partnered with every kid's favorite after-school babysitter, MTV. Teenagers got hooked on the Internet, which opened them up to a 24-hour source of temptation and perversion. Now, perhaps too late, we are waking up from a three-decade sleep to realize that the gay lobby has taken America hostage. I hope we are not so naive that we think their agenda stops with legalizing same-sex marriages. Ultimately, if this process is not stopped, the gaying of the United States will begin to affect religious freedom." - Alan Chambers, head of Exodus International, desperately trying to win back the hate groups who have slagged him since his confession that nobody is ever "cured" of being gay. (Via Right Wing Watch)

Former Exodus Head To Divorce Wife

Back in April I reported that former Exodus International chairman John Paulk had made some interesting changes to his Facebook profile. Yesterday Truth Wins Out took the story further:

“Ex-gay” poster couple John and Anne Paulk may be Splitsville. Sources tell Truth Wins Out today that John has moved out of the couple’s Portland, Oregon home. Other sources in Portland have informed Truth Wins Out that Paulk was dating a man, although the current status of that relationship remains murky, and that Paulk has frequented homosexual establishments in the city. Speculation on the status of their relationship was heightened today after TWO spotted a cryptic status message posted by John Paulk on his business’s Facebook page:

“After a lifetime of heartache, July 19, 1992 [the date he married Anne] was the happiest day of my life. I will never forget it… It is emblazoned in my memory. And although a lot has occurred since that day long ago and I am on a hard journey right now, i want this woman to know how much she has always meant to me and that no matter where things pan out… I always will love you.”

You may recall that years ago TWO founder Wayne Besen photographed Paulk fleeing a DC gay bar where he'd been chatting up patrons. Paulk later claimed that he'd only been in the bar to use the bathroom. (And buy a couple rounds for the hotties.) Besen notes that Paulk spoke at an Exodus event as recently as two years ago. Besen is calling for Paulk to apologize to the LGBT community.