PRESS RELEASE (U.S.)
DATE: 20 June 2012
Contact: Jason O'Neill, MCC Communications, [email protected], 508-246-8416
Exodus 'Ex-Gay' movement needs 'conversion to truth-telling'
"We will not be satisfied until we see Evangelicals bring the same fervor to saving our lives as they have to trying to separate our souls from our God-given sexual orientations and gender identities."
The Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson is the moderator of the Metropolitan Community Churches, which has ministries in over 40 countries. Dr. Wilson was part of the first LGBT faith delegation to meet with a sitting president in 1979. She is currently a member of President Obama's Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
"For decades, Exodus International has been synonymous with the idea that people need to be 'cured' or 'healed' of homosexuality. This week's historic apology from Exodus leader, Alan Chambers, for the harm done to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people by Exodus is encouraging," said the Rev. Dr. Nancy Wilson. "Sadly, nothing will bring back the lives lost to suicide based on pseudo-psychology and corrupt theology. Any apology for past suicides, lost years and damage to families is only as good as real actions to counter the lies spread throughout the world by past Exodus action.
"What is needed is true repentance and a conversion to truth telling. The theology of condemnation must be replaced with a theology of grace in the service of God's good creation-including LGBT people. The trail of emotional, psychological and spiritual damage must be mitigated by evangelistic outreach around the world where the lives of LGBT people hang in the balance at the hands of religious and political leaders who would shed their blood, rape their bodies, and crucify their spirits for their own careers.
"We will not be satisfied until we see Evangelicals bring the same fervor to saving our lives as they have to trying to separate our souls from our God-given sexual orientations and gender identities.
"Around the world, MCC is known as 'The Human Rights Church' because we are sometimes the only faith tradition standing up for the lives of LGBT people. Exodus has the opportunity to join us.
"In just days, MCC will celebrate 45 years of ministry and advocacy as we gather in Chicago, July 1-5, for our 25th General Conference. We exhort Exodus leaders to join us. Join us to celebrate the life of Bishop Christopher Senyonjo of Uganda who risks his life every day to fight the infamous 'kill the gays' bill. We challenge you to sit at the feet of leaders who founded the Global Justice Institute and are working with LGBT leaders in Asia, Africa and Latin America."
"Words are cheap. Lives are precious," concluded Dr. Wilson. "Do not disappoint us."
