Truth Wins Out claims that the Family Impact Summit is exploiting
so-called "Ex-Gays" to sugarcoat discrimination
Barbara Leavitt, a woman whose marriage ended after "ex-gay" therapy
did not cure her husband, warned against such marriages
From TWO in Tampa
TAMPA, Fl -- Truth Wins Out's Executive Director Wayne Besen spoke at an
Equality Florida press conference today to counter the rabidly anti-gay
Family Impact Summit. Besen, the author of "Anything But Straight:
Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth," said right wing
organizations were embracing so-called ex-gay ministries to cloak their
discriminatory aims.
"The Family Impact Summit is a cynical political ploy to use gay baiting
to energize voters in a critical election year," said Wayne Besen,
Executive Director of Truth Wins Out. "The red meat conservatives are
using so-called ex-gays as cover for their extremist views. By exploiting
these vulnerable people, they are pretending to love gay people, when in
reality they simply love discrimination."
Barbara Leavitt also shared her story at the press conference in front of
Bell Shoals Baptist Church. She discussed how her life was upended because
her gay husband was told that marriage could help cure him of his
homosexuality. Earlier in the year, Truth Wins Out featured her and her
husband Lester in a video that can now be seen on YouTube.
"I want you to know that when ex-gays marry straight women, it hurts both
the man and the woman and any children that come," said Leavitt.
The Family Impact Summit will include right wing stalwarts, such as Gary
Bauer, Katherine Harris, Dr. Richard Land, Don Wildmon, Bob Knight and
Alan Chambers.
Speakers at the press conference include: Nadine Smith, Equality Florida;
Wayne Besen, Truth Wins Out; Rev. Irene Monroe, Faith In America; Sally
Phillips, Hillsborough Florida GLBT Democratic Caucus; Rev. Phyllis Hunt,
MCC Tampa; Marty Rouse, Human Rights Campaign; Barbara Leavitt, spouse of
former ex-gay; Rev. Cedric A. Harmon, Americans United for Separation of
Church & State.
Truth Wins OUT is a non-profit organization that counters right wing
propaganda, exposes the "ex-gay" myth and educates America about gay life.
For more information, visit
www.TruthWinsOut.org.
