Quote Of The Day

"Please know that I am deeply sorry. I am sorry for the pain and hurt many of you have experienced. I am sorry that some of you spent years working through the shame and guilt you felt when your attractions didn’t change. I am sorry we promoted sexual orientation change efforts and reparative theories about sexual orientation that stigmatized parents. I am sorry that there were times I didn’t stand up to people publicly 'on my side' who called you names like sodomite—or worse. I am sorry that I, knowing some of you so well, failed to share publicly that the gay and lesbian people I know were every bit as capable of being amazing parents as the straight people that I know. I am sorry that when I celebrated a person coming to Christ and surrendering their sexuality to Him that I callously celebrated the end of relationships that broke your heart. I am sorry that I have communicated that you and your families are less than me and mine."

- Alan Chambers in an apology to the LGBTQ community.

Chambers is the head of Exodus International, the most recognized "ex-gay" organization in the world.  With the apology, came the announcement that Exodus would be closing their doors permanently as of yesterday.  Founded in 1976, Exodus had 100 office locations within the U.S. at its peak, and over 150 locations worldwide.  They were the leaders in so-called "reparative therapy", the belief that gay and lesbian people could become straight with the help of god.

In the last 12 months, Chambers has changed his position on a number of issues involving Exodus and the LGBTQ community.  He was an ardent supporter of the "ex-gay" movement, citing himself as an example of its success.  In recent months, he's said that he doesn't consider himself gay, yet he doesn't think of himself as heterosexual.  He stated that he was confused about his own sexual identity.  He has questioned whether reparative therapy is effective, and, as we can see, has realized how much damage him and his movement has done in this world.

A documentary will be airing tonight on OWN at 10PM, focusing on the "ex-gay" community and Alan Chambers in particular.  I'm expecting to see a couple of bombshells being revealed.

Political Cartoon Of The Day

Via Jeff Danziger:

Seriously, though.  Have you seen the guy?

CNN Host Lays The Smackdown On Gay Conservative Group

Finally, some journalistic integrity coming from CNN!  Early this morning, Ali Velshi spoke with GOProud's Chris Barron on CNN's American Morning.  Things got a little testy.

In case you're not familiar with Barron or his organization, GOProud is a conservative gay group.  They believe that their fiscal values as Republicans outweigh any social issues that come to the forefront regarding the LGBT community.  As a group, they are vehemently opposed to the overturn of DOMA and the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell.  Not because of what it stands for, but how they were reversed.  A repeal is a repeal, right?  Not to them.  Last year, the Keynote speaker at their convention was Ann Coulter.  She's the poster child for everything that's wrong with the Republican party.  Last month, when asked what she would do if her son came out as gay, she proudly said, "Obviously, I'd tell him he was adopted, and ask for help in redecorating the dining room".

Fast forward to today...



"When my partner and I talk about the issues that impact us, we're not talking about hate crimes.  We're talking about taxes."  If hate crimes aren't an issue that you and your partner discuss at the dinner table, let me fill you in on something......YOU'RE NOT FUCKING GAY!  If you are a gay man and are going to speak to Michele Bachmann, and the subject doesn't come up about her husband's "ex-gay reparative therapy" clinic, guess what?  YOU'RE NOT FUCKING GAY!

The fair tax?  Personal savings accounts?  When your priority is to protect your wallet before your civil liberties, then you may be a conservative, but you certainly aren't a part of the gay community.  "Gay conservative" is an oxymoron.  It doesn't exist.  The words aren't meant to go together.  It's much like "Amish IPhone app".  It doesn't make sense.