Former 'Pray the Gay Away' Church Leaders Say Sorry to Gays

By Anastacia Mott Austin

At a press conference Wednesday, three former leaders of a church promoting prayer to "heal" homosexuality apologized to the gay community.

Exodus International, founded in 1976, is an organization that vows to help people who identify as gay or lesbian by using prayer to make them straight. A recent radio commercial for Exodus assured that "sudden, radical, complete change" is possible "through Christ...for those who struggle with same-gender attraction."

Now the former leaders of the group say that it's not possible to change one's orientation, and try to do so only causes shame and feelings of failure. Michael Bussee, who co-founded the Exodus group, left in 1979. The other two speaking out were Jeremy Marks, previous president of Exodus International Europe, and Darlene Bogle, former director of Paraklete Ministries, which referred people to Exodus.

"Some who heard our message were compelled to try to change an integral part of themselves, bringing harm to themselves and their families," said the three in a written statement to the press. "Although we acted in good faith, we have since witnessed the isolation, shame, fear, and loss of faith that this message creates."

The press statement was timed to coincide with two competing conferences happening this week in Los Angeles. The annual "Freedom Conference" for Exodus is expected to draw over 1,000 participants, and a mile away, "The Survivor's Conference: Beyond Ex-Gay" will also be happening and was coordinated in part by Bussee.

During past Exodus events, gay-rights groups picketed the conference. "This year, we decided instead of having a protest, why not just have an alternative conference?" asked Bussee.

Alan Chambers, current president of Exodus, feels the organization can offer hope to those who want to change. "Exodus is here for people who want an alternative to homosexuality," said Chambers to reporters. "There are thousands of people like me who have overcome this. I think there's room for more than on opinion on this subject, and giving people options isn't dangerous."

"God's love and forgiveness does indeed change people," counters Bussee, who is still a Christian. "It changed me. It just didn't make me straight."

Even Chambers admits the straight road hasn't always been easy. "[It] isn't a light switch that you can switch on and off. Today, I am a far different person. Not that I don't struggle, but my life has changed."

The American Psychiatric Association changed its categorization of homosexuality from a mental disorder to a sexual orientation in 1973, as did the American Psychological Association in 1975.

The American Academy of Pediatrics affirmed in 2004 that "sexual orientation is not a choice; that is, individuals do not choose to be homosexual or heterosexual," adding that therapy designed to change one's orientation is therefore doomed to failure, and can only lead to feelings of shame and self-doubt in patients.

An attendee at the press conference Wednesday was the Reverend Mel White, who is the president of a spirituality-based gay rights organization named Soulforce. White told reporters that the apology was a significant step toward gay acceptance. "It's a major moment, a paradigm shift. They're saying this doesn't work, and that's incredibly important."

All three of the ex-Exodus leaders who spoke out maintain that they are still practicing Christians. "We are committed Christians," said Jeremy Marks. "But we're still gay."