Box Turtle Bulletin

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.

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!

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.

Stranger at the Gate: To Be Gay and Christian in America, by Mel White Written by a former ghostwriter for Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and Billy Graham, Rev. White describes his journey of reconciling his fundamentalist Christian faith with his sexuality. He provides a fascinating inside look into these powerful ministries and their reaction when he finally decided to come out of the closet. A must read for everyone who identifies as gay and Christian.

The Antigay Agenda: Orthodox Vision and the Christian Right by Didi Herman This book provides an excellent overview of antigay rhetoric, tactics, and politics of many conservative Christian groups. Ms. Herman demonstrates the context of “ex-gay”ministries in the overal strategy to prepare the world for Christ’s return. Sometiems polemical, always well-researched, The Antigay Agenda explores evangelical Christianity’s theology and worldview, and the role many Evangelicals see themselves playing in the modern world.

Queer Science: The Use and Abuse of Research into Homosexuality, by Simon LeVay Best known for his controversial 1991 study of brain differences between straight and gay men, Simon LeVay provides an exhaustive history of scientific attempts to understand homosexuality, going all the way back to the mid-nineteenth century. Dr. LeVay shows how some of these endeavors gave rise to disturbing “treatments” to cure homosexuals. Finally, Dr. LeVay explores several modern theories for the development of homosexuality, carefully analyzing the strengths and weakenesses of each theory.

Anything but Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth, by Wayne Besen Wayne Besen, founder of Truth Wins Out, first gained fame for exposing former “ex-gay” leader John Paulk at a Washington, D.C. gay bar. Since that expose made headlines across the country, Wayne spent four years interviewing ex-gay leaders and practitioners, and went undercover to attend conferences and individual ministries. The result is a very thorough look into the world of ex-gay ministries, which has been hailed by gay-rights leaders and reviled by anti-gay activists. It is an essential read for everyone interested in the ex-gay movement, regardless of what side you’re on.

Straight to Jesus: Sexual and Christian Conversions in the Ex-Gay Movement, by Tanya Erzen Ethnographer Tanya Erzen provides an outsider’s view into the everyday lives of the men at New Hope Ministry, a residential ex-gay program. Ms. Erzen argues that it’s impossible to understand the appeal the ex-gay movement holds for these men without appreciating their need to reconcile their sexuality with their religious convictions. But by becoming what they call “new creations,” these men undergo a religious transformation, not a change in sexual orientation or behavior — even though the Christian Right tries to counter gay rights by using ex-gays as proof that “change is possible.” With great respect and obvious affection for the men at New Hope, Ms. Erzen gives each participant a very human face which, ironically, provides a powerful argument against this anti-gay strategy.

Web Sites

Dr. Herek’s Sexual Orientation: Science, Education, and Policy: Dr. Gregory Herek is an internationally recognized authority on sexual prejudice (homophobia), hate crimes, and AIDS stigma.

Christian Alliance for Progress: The success of the Religious Right in appropriating the language of Christianity has led many people to become generally wary of religion in the public sphere and of Christianity in particular. The Christian Alliance for Progress is a national movement that started in Jacksonville, Florida among ordinary Americans who want to reclaim Christianity and change this current political picture.

Ex-Gay Watch: A group web log headed by Mike Airhart, with a primary focus on analyzing the activities of the ‘Ex-Gay’ movement.

Institute for Welcoming Resesources: IWR was created in November of 2002 by denominational representatives of the Welcoming Church Movement, which seeks to help build church homes that are welcoming of gays and lesbians.

Religious Tolerance.org - Conservative Christian Resources on Homosexuality: This web page is a gateway to analyses of anti-gay writings of Christian organizations and their web sites.

Soulforce: Soulforce seeks to achieve freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of nonviolent resistance.

The Southern Poverty Law Center’s Intelligence Project: The SPLC’s Intelligence Project, begun in the early 1980’s as “Klanwatch”, monitors hate crimes and hate groups throughout the United States. Each quarter, the Intelligence Project publishes the Intelligence Report, which is available online.

Truth Sets Free: Truth Sets Free is an inclusive, ecumenical Christian outreach to GLBTQ Christians, friends, and family.

Whosoever: Whosoever is an online magazine intended for the spiritual growth of anyone who believes that God made gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people just the way they are, and is not asking them to change to be a part of God's kingdom.