NOM Commits Sodomy
The Daily Agenda for Saturday, February 11
The Daily Agenda for Friday, February 10
Again anti-gays blindly and gleefully shoot themselves in the foot
Rep. Walsh leads with her heart
Advocate, WaPo, AP Get it Wrong On Anti-Homosexuality Bill
Uganda Executive, Parliament Tussle Over Anti-Homosexuality BIll
The Daily Agenda for Thursday, February 9
Featured Reports
What Are Little Boys Made Of?
In this original BTB Investigation, we unveil the tragic story of Kirk Murphy, a four-year-old boy who was treated for “cross-gender disturbance” in 1970 by a young grad student by the name of George Rekers. This story is a stark reminder that there are severe and damaging consequences when therapists try to ensure that boys will be boys.
Slouching Towards Kampala: Uganda’s Deadly Embrace of Hate
When we first reported on three American anti-gay activists traveling to Kampala for a three-day conference, we had no idea that it would be the first report of a long string of events leading to a proposal to institute the death penalty for LGBT people. But that is exactly what happened. In this report, we review our collection of more than 450 posts to tell the story of one nation’s embrace of hatred toward gay people. This report will be updated continuously as events continue to unfold. Check here for the latest updates.
David Benkof: Behind the Mask
At first glance, David Benkof appears to be a young gay man who believes that same-sex marriage will damage the institution of marriage, that there are better options for gay couples than marriage, that the community should join him in prioritizing other more pressing issues, and that the marriage discussion is harming the efforts of gay couples in red states to get recognition for their unions. He also claims that he’s a gay columnist, that he speaks for an influential collection of gay thinkers, and that he is part of the gay and lesbian community and that he shares our goals and dreams. But none of that is true.
“Repeat After Me”: The Reparative Therapy Echo Chamber
The April 2008 edition of the pay-to-publish vanity journal Psychological Reports featured a new report from NARTH. Written by NARTH president A. Dean Byrd, past president Joseph Nicolosi, and Richard W. Potts, the report carries the unwieldy but self-descriptive title, “Clients perceptions of how reorientation therapy and self-help can promote changes in sexual orientation.” While the title describes what the authors meant to show — how clients describe the benefits of reparative therapy — the report itself actually illustrates something very different: the ex-gay movement’s remarkable ability to instill an almost robot-like parroting of ex-gay rhetoric among their clients.
Testing the Premise: Is MRSA The New Gay Plague?
The Toronto Star said that a new study “discover[ed] a new strain” of a super-bug “hitting gay men.” Headlines in Britain screamed, “Flesh-eating bug strikes San Francisco’s gay community,” and anti-gay extremists across America spread the alarm that gays were introducing another plague into “the general population.” But there was a small problem with all of this: None of it is true!
Paul Cameron’s World
In 2005, the Southern Poverty Law Center wrote that “[Paul] Cameron’s ‘science’ echoes Nazi Germany.” What the SPLC didn”t know was Cameron doesn’t just “echo” Nazi Germany. He quoted extensively from one of the Final Solution’s architects. This puts his fascination with quarantines, mandatory tattoos, and extermination being a “plausible idea” in a whole new and deeply disturbing light.
From the Inside: Focus on the Family’s “Love Won Out”
On February 10, I attended an all-day “Love Won Out” ex-gay conference in Phoenix, put on by Focus on the Family and Exodus International. In this series of reports, I talk about what I learned there: the people who go to these conferences, the things that they hear, and what this all means for them, their families and for the rest of us.
Prologue: Why I Went To “Love Won Out”
Part 1: What’s Love Got To Do With It?
Part 2: Parents Struggle With “No Exceptions”
Part 3: A Whole New Dialect
Part 4: It Depends On How The Meaning of the Word "Change" Changes
Part 5: A Candid Explanation For "Change"
The Heterosexual Agenda: Exposing The Myths
At last, the truth can now be told.
Using the same research methods employed by most anti-gay political pressure groups, we examine the statistics and the case studies that dispel many of the myths about heterosexuality. Download your copy today!
And don't miss our companion report, How To Write An Anti-Gay Tract In Fifteen Easy Steps.
Testing The Premise: Are Gays A Threat To Our Children?
Anti-gay activists often charge that gay men and women pose a threat to children. In this report, we explore the supposed connection between homosexuality and child sexual abuse, the conclusions reached by the most knowledgeable professionals in the field, and how anti-gay activists continue to ignore their findings. This has tremendous consequences, not just for gay men and women, but more importantly for the safety of all our children.
Straight From The Source: What the “Dutch Study” Really Says About Gay Couples
Anti-gay activists often cite the “Dutch Study” to claim that gay unions last only about 1½ years and that the these men have an average of eight additional partners per year outside of their steady relationship. In this report, we will take you step by step into the study to see whether the claims are true.
The FRC’s Briefs Are Showing
Tony Perkins’ Family Research Council submitted an Amicus Brief to the Maryland Court of Appeals as that court prepared to consider the issue of gay marriage. We examine just one small section of that brief to reveal the junk science and fraudulent claims of the Family “Research” Council.
Review: The Gay Report
When Karla Jay and Allan Young published The Gay Report in 1979, it quickly a favorite source of statistics for many anti-gay extremists. But before you accepts these statistic at face value, you should examine the inner workings of this survey very carefully. What you learn might surprise you.
Daniel Fetty Doesn’t Count
The FBI’s annual Hate Crime Statistics aren’t as complete as they ought to be, and their report for 2004 was no exception. In fact, their most recent report has quite a few glaring holes. Holes big enough for Daniel Fetty to fall through.
News, analysis and fact-checking of anti-gay rhetoric
Posts 
Posts via daily email:
Robguy
September 1st, 2007 | LINK
Lying for Jesus is OK.
Emproph
September 1st, 2007 | LINK
Since they’re “Christians,” technically it’s Jesus lying for Jesus.
Samantha Davis
September 2nd, 2007 | LINK
I hate to say this, but I don’t think that it matters all that much that these groups are caught. It’s not like PFOX, the RR media, or the MSM is going to pick up the story and it’s not as if the people who would be swayed by their pieces would ever visit this website or XGW.
Jim Burroway
September 2nd, 2007 | LINK
Actually Samantha, I would respectfully disagree. While you’re probably right about most people who are swayed by their pieces, it’s not necessarily true about all of them. I, for one, was never swayed by PFOX, but I and many others were once swayed by a lot of anti-gay, homophobic statements that we once thought were true. I would venture that virtually everone in the nascent ex-gay survivor’s movement can identify with this.
I have an interesting anecdote which portrays this very well. One of the first articles I wrote when this site was young (and not yet a blog) was about the so-called “Dutch Study.” Shortly after it went up, a young woman wrote to me and said that she had read one of Dr. James Kennedy’s books and ran across his mention of the study. She wanted to learn more about it so she googled it and found my article. She wrote to tell me how surprised she was that someone she respected could misrepresent the study so badly. She said that while she still agreed with him in a lot of things, she would read his stuff with a grain of salt from now on.
So sometimes this work is not about providing evidence for everyone to consider. Sometimes, it’s about providing evidence for those who need it the most.
Samantha Davis
September 2nd, 2007 | LINK
It’s just so frustrating sometimes, but I guess you’re right.
Marcus
September 2nd, 2007 | LINK
Hey Daniel Gonzales: A FOX has more than one exit hole! If an ex-gay was hit by a gay activist at least you could show some empathy to the victims of an hate crime. David Roberts few phone calls and emails can hardly be called “Undertaking an investigation” and to make a headline like this is far from the standard you usually deliver. Would you still be shouting your bravos if it has been a gay guy being assaulted? Is this how bitter you have become since reorientation therapy did not work for you? Just because it did not work for you …it does not mean it does not work for others. Gee and I thought you were both fair minded and decent. You just proved me wrong.
I did however find another interesting piece of information in the PFOX press release!
a. mcewen
September 2nd, 2007 | LINK
The point, Marcus, is that there is a strong possibility that the supposed crime never happened and that PFOX made the entire thing up.
Marcus
September 3rd, 2007 | LINK
I do realize that a.mcewen, but gloating and writing bravo in a response to hearsay about a hate crime, is stooping so low … If you had been assaulted
by some holy bullies, and you reported the assault, and some other holy bullies tried to verify it and could not, and then begins laughing and writing bravo in a response to you being assaulted. How would that make you feel?
The only thing I do not understand about this story is that the victim did not press charges against the man who hit him.Only the ex-gay volunteer seems to know what really happened. Any other account is just pure speculation.
And if this is how “used to be good and fair minded gay guys” react to hate crimes towards others, they are sending a strong message to people in favor of hate crime legislation not to support it.
The reactions on EGW and many other sites and blogs and even here on BTB are rather “Phelpish”. When the first ex-gay get murdered I do not look forward to hearing the bravos and standing ovations from gay guys clapping their hands and seeing humorous websites like GAY posting a picture of him “screaming in heaven”….click here!
PW
September 3rd, 2007 | LINK
Marcus, wake up and smell the coffee. What we have here is a pattern of lying from PFOX and other anti-gay organizations. They’ve been caught numerous times making things up in service of their cause. That it itself should trouble ex-gays and yourself but apparently doesn’t. Where is your call for your own side to clean up their act? You come in here and berate people for being outraged that your side is lying. And you interpret that outrage as some form of sour grapes about reparative therapy. Then you continue the nonsense that ex-gays are somehow victims on a large scale. Well, reality simply does not support your contentions and assertions. I challenge you and your side to verify this story, to come up with some real examples of this persecution you throw around like a red cape at a bullfight. Until then, save the victim routine for your fund and sympathy raising efforts.
marcusT
September 3rd, 2007 | LINK
Uhhh… Marcus — in addition to the volunteer who was “assaulted,” you would think that the two police officers who supposedly urged the volunteer to press charges and evicted the militant gays from the event would recall something about the incident. The organizer of the fair might know something about people being forcibly evicted from the event.
If you were a cop who was so disturbed by this thing that you were urging the victim to press charges, would you just quietly ask the perps to leave, and not tell anyone about the situation? What’s to stop them from coming right back in and smacking around some old ladies and children the next time?
Mysteriously, the police and event organizer seem to know nothing about this issue. Hmmm…
Jim Burroway
September 3rd, 2007 | LINK
Marcus,
I can’t speak for Daniel, but I can certainly vouch for him. I’d also point out that when the Detroit medical examiner decided that Andrew Anthos did not die as the result of a hate crime, I was surprised, but I reported that turn of events anyway.
And believe me, if an ex-gay is ever murdered, you most definitely won’t see “bravos and standing ovations from gay guys” either here or on EGW. That is an outrageous accusation that deserves an apology. And by the way, that comment is also against our Comments Policy. Your comments are welcome here, but stay away from the strawmen and keep the insults to yourself.
Marcus
September 3rd, 2007 | LINK
I agree that some ex-gay ministries and so-called families values groups have lied and distorted the truth. I do take issue and call them on it when I see it. I am not taking side with them! I do however take issue with people who just ad insult to this alleged hate crime. I trust those I consider part of the anti-gay industry very little. But I do give them the benefit of doubt and take issue with those who celebrate hate crimes and applaud it with bravos. That is despicable.
And how should I be able to verify this story when I was not there? Were any of you eyewitnesses? The alleged victim has to give his account of what happened. And then we can choose to trust that or not. Had I been him I would have pressed charges, then there would have been no doubt.
Jim Burroway
September 3rd, 2007 | LINK
Marcus: We weren’t eyewitnesses, but the Arlington Police were. They say no such incident occurred. Now who do you trust?
I condemned an incident in Colorado Springs as a possible hate crime against someone who espoused anti-gay viewpoints. Yet you tied BTB to the Phelps clan who would have no compunction of celebrating such an incident. I’m still waiting for that apology for suggesting that we’d somehow shout bravo and hold a standing ovation if an ex-gay was murdered. That was outrageous and uncalled for.
marcusT
September 3rd, 2007 | LINK
Marcus:
Have you seen someone here “celebrating hate crimes” and “applauding them with bravos?”
Ben in Oakland
September 3rd, 2007 | LINK
Marcus: i have never heard of any ex-gay person being assaulted or murdered for the act of being ex-gay, though I keep it in the realm of possibility– just not a likely one. I have heard of gay people being assaulted and murdered many times, have witnessed twice two assaults, and have been assaulted three times myself for the “crime” of being gay. And I’ve seen plenty of so-called christians applauding that, denying the need for hate crimes bills etc.
You say “I trust those I consider part of the anti-gay industry very little.”
I don’t trust them at all. i have heard their lies, their distortions, their bile. i have seen that theybelieve that i do noth avethe same rights as any other american citizen. ANYTHING they say is highly suspicious to me.
Marcus
September 3rd, 2007 | LINK
I apologize for writing that gay guys would shout bravo and make standing ovations if an ex-gay got murdered!
I do however still think that Daniel Gonzales, bravo tribute to EGW Author David Roberts is very offensive. David Roberts were not able to verify the incident. That does not mean it did not happen. But he was not there. Neither was Daniel Gonzales as far I know?. He just brings the news from EGW, like some so-called pro-family groups did from PFOX, without verifying it.
I will not accept hate crimes and if any one begin accusing victims of hate crimes to lie based on hearsay I will take issue with them.
I have always supported equal rights for gays and lesbians. And I have spent hundreds of hours arguing in support of H.R. 1592: Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 also known as the Matthew Shepard Act. I still remember the vigils I went to in BoysTown Chicago in 1998, when we heard the news. I have also been a victim of a hate crime and vent through a trial to have the perpetrator convicted a jail sentence. So acts of hate crimes makes me very angry. I do not claim that ex-gays are nearly as often victims of hate crimes as gay and lesbians.
What I found more interesting about the PFOX press release was the statements by PFOX leaders for the first time ever publicly acknowledged that gays and exgays have equal rights if anti-discrimination laws include the wording sexual orientation. I have asked why PFOX then keeps fighting against anti-discrimination laws and the hate crime bill.
Jim Burroway
September 3rd, 2007 | LINK
Marcus,
Thank you for your apology.
We were skeptical of PFOX’s description of events from the beginning. No question about it.
But don’t you at least acknowledge that the Arlington Police, who acording to PFOX escorted someone from the fairgrounds and supposedly encouraged PFOX to press charges has absolutely no record of the event? How would they even encourage PFOX to press charges if they have no idea who they just escorted from the grounds?
David Roberts called the fair organizers and the Arlington Police Department to verify PFOX’s claims and came up empty. How is reporting that the Arlington Police Department disputes PFOX “offensive”? Are you suggesting that we should just let PFOX have their say and we should remain silent when the Arlington police says differently? Is the Police department being “offensive”?
Marcus
September 3rd, 2007 | LINK
I find it offensive that Daniel Gonzales calls PFOXs claims “Hysterical” and that he applauds David Roberts so-called investigation. A person may have been victim of a hate crime here and I would give him the benefit of doubts and show some empathy.
Like you write: Arlington PD having no record of the event is very strange! And yes it does make me suspect that PFOX exaggerated what happened. If at least charges were pressed, PFOX would have been more credible. Now we are left with pure speculation about whether PFOX is just “playing the victim card”. Like fx
Michael Marcavage, director of Repent America IMO did at Outfest in Philadelphia. Throwing himself in front of the crowd and refusing to take orders from police officers so he could get arrested and prove that he was discriminated against!! Now that is what I call hysterical. That incident is filmed on video and viewers can see what happened.
I do however not think an alleged assault/ hate crime is “Hysterical” and deserves to be presented as a laughing matter, like I see Daniel Gonzales does here. If no one but the alleged victim really witnessed the incident. I would remain silent. Daniel Gonzales choosing not to remain silent and mocking a possible victim of a hate crime is what I take issue with.
Jason
September 3rd, 2007 | LINK
Marcus,
I’m sorry, but PFOX doesn’t get to cry hate crime, and sit without scrutiny. It’s a sad thought, but some people do in fact cry wolf about horrible things.
I find it interesting that they chose to make the centerpiece of a public statement an incident that no one can verify. How convenient. Not the event organizers, and certainly not the people who supposedly ejected the gay rights activist. What kind of officer would forget that? How odd in this day and age that nobody had a cell phone with camera/video available. If this is “common” as they note in their press release, why not record it?
Marcus it is not disrespectful to investigate an allegation….especially an allegation from a group known for lying and distorting the truth.
Jim Burroway
September 3rd, 2007 | LINK
Marcus, it looks like this particular allegation of assault is indeed hysterical. And given PFOX’s past behavior on this front, it’s fully worthy of mocking. Although maybe I should see your point. Maybe making a fabricated allegation like PFOX did is no laughing matter.
The fact is, there is NO evidence except PFOX’s say so that anything happened at all. And in fact, the police deny anything happened. I think that is fully mock-worthy.
Emproph
September 4th, 2007 | LINK
Mock-worthy wise, I give it a mach 5.
Timothy Kincaid
September 4th, 2007 | LINK
Marcus,
I think your outrage is a bit misplaced. Daniel congratulated Dave at XGW for his investigation. I believe Daniel would have been as equally congratulatory if Dave’s investigation had shown that there was indeed an attack on an ex-gay person.
And I assure you that had this been the case, all of us here at BTB as well as everyone at XGW would have loudly and resoundingly condemned the action. Like you, we take violence and hate crimes seriously.
Secondly, you seem to think that PFOX is more credible than other ex-gay industry organizations. Unfortunately, I don’t think history supports that assumption. I’ve personally reviewed much of their material and read most of their press releases and in my opinion they have demonstrated a pattern of hyperbole, exageration and, frankly, downright dishonesty. PFOX has earned my distrust, many times over.
Third, no one has come forward to identify the ex-gay attacked. I find this interesting for a few reasons. If he was confident to witness at a fair, I wonder why he is so hesitant to be named now.
I don’t know who this ex-gay man is… but I do know that PFOX has in the past (and probably currently) been associated with a particularly vocal and visible ex-gay whose word is, shall we say, not very credible.
My question to PFOX is this: who is the ex-gay?
Marcus
September 5th, 2007 | LINK
Timothy:
My anger may be misplaced sometimes,but I do give others the benefit of doubts!
I do not think PFOX leadership is more trustworthy than other.
I just confirmed myself that Arlington PD did not have any knowledge of the alleged incident. Regina Griggs and PFOX on the other hands have not answered the questions I have asked them. I suspect my emails may have been censored away? I think PFOX leadership are so busy pushing their anti-gay political agendas that they have forgotten their claim that they are :friends of ex-gays and gays. Obviously they are not friends of any one who can think for them selves and ask legitimate questions and take issue with their anti-gay political agendas. And yes PFOX are mock worthy as long as they do that. Victims of hate crimes however do not deserve to be mocked.
Who the alleged wictim was? I know for sure it was not Richard Cohen! And why do you think he is not very credible BTW?
The Story So Far… » Blog Archive » How The Game Is Played…(continued)
October 1st, 2009 | LINK
[...] Ah yes…the incident of the militant homosexual attacker at the Arlington County Fair. The problem is of course, nobody but the two PFOX droids at the booth witnessed this assault… [...]
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