Parents and the Ex-Gay Movement

[Mottahead]

Well, as a raging heterosexual (even though contained by a loving mariage), I have this to say:

- Perhaps being gay didn't make sense in ancient times when small communities needed children (which is a little odd, since gay men CAN have children).

- Nowadays with the world population as large as it is, being gay actually solves a problem - it helps to control population growth

Too cold, isn't it?

Well, I don't like people to be defined by their sexual orientation.

Every person has a name.

[mariotaz]

America, you guys can be fuckin' weird as hell sometimes...

[nightfrog65]

The Christian church does not have a good record when it comes to treating others according to the golden rule:

-Pograms against Jews,

-Crusades against Muslims

-Spanish inquisition

-Forced conversion of native indians in central/north/south america

-Current campaigns to ban same-sex marraiges/unions

-Protests over women becoming clergy

I'm not blaming all Christians; some actually have a heart for others and don't use religion to justify their bigotry.

[basp3]

I am a 19 year old male who is in his first year of college and I just recently accepted myself as bisexual. For many years, I tried to get rid of my same sex attractions (not through ex-gay rehab, though). It never worked. I had done a few of the things ex-gay ministries teach, they were ineffective and caused me some mental harm, and I won't fall for that bullshit again. I like who I am. no one is to blame.

Thank you for sharing your experiences.

[jehoshqwe]

do you see gay dogs? cats? elephants ?giraffes? No.. beacuse God made us to genetically so that a man can love a woman and a woman love a man... thats the truth

[MattRichards711]

@jehoshqwe: 95% of male giraffes are homosexual. I apologize for your lack of scientific knowledge.

[william76950]

I always believed that God hates the sin and not the sinner. If a homosexual person gives themselves to God and abstains from sexual immorality, I believe that they can achieve Eternal Life.

[djbethell]

I'm glad you are who you are. Thanks for speaking out against this terrible group.

[djbethell]

I'm glad you are who you are. Thanks for speaking out against this terrible group.

[djbethell]

Thanks for speaking out against this horrendous homophobic group of guilt-trippers. They live in fear and wish only to project that fear on to others. They are a shameless cult. I'm glad you are who you are.

[djbethell]

Thanks for speaking out against this horrendous homophobic group of guilt-trippers. They live in fear and wish only to project that fear on to others. They are a shameless cult. I'm glad you are who you are.

[e8f28p92]

and what the hell do you mean by ex-gay...

doubt it...

[blueshoes1927]

@e8f28p92

dont be a dick, this guy is opening himself up which is already hard enough to do without your stupid commets.

[welthawood]

Thank you for making this video. I am a straight single woman with no children--but I have many friends with gay children. I think this must be very helpful for them. Being gay is different...it's not "wrong." What a good message.

[swetcuuuteshana]

i could use way more stimulation than this GayBangz . Com is better than this

[userjosh9874]

You are so brave for sharing this story. Thank you. :)

[audrinacandi]

awwe your soo cute!!

[jacksonedwardwilson]

People should not try to change another person's sexuality! You are who you are, and that is the way it should be.

[TheRC120]

Thank you for sharing your story! It shows how not only the people who attend these programs are victims, but also their families.

[myjeansaretooshort]

This is tragic. Simply tragic. I have a very distant father and a VERY overbearing mother, yet I would NEVER blame them if I was gay. Nor would I let anyone ELSE blame them. As a matter of fact, not a single person should be blamed. Homosexuality is not a fault for which one must claim responsibility for letting themselves "go wrong", but is, if anything, a reason to be proud of one's devotion to what they feel is just and true, and how they would strive to promote authenticity in themselves!

[ScienceAlice]

Thank you for sharing your powerful story!

[yourdadher]

bastards puting hate and guilt in people they need to learn the golden rule love your neighbors as you love yourself

[RogueMarch]

I'm mexican, straight, catholic and this ministries make me sick to my stomach. Why those people use guilt and Jesus to make people ashame just for being themselves?!

[Monkeydominator]

Why aren't there more people like you?

[RogueMarch]

Thank you. I hope for the day they stop using Jesus as a pretext to biggoted ass holes :)

[Monkeydominator]

Same here. I had really lost faith in the Christian community for a minute, but luckily there are people like you to remind me that not everyone are assholes. :)

Keep on being a nice guy!

[anthonyaperez]

wow... just wow.

[paws4caws]

I hope that you have been able to let go of the agony in your heart about how your parents felt. I can tell it bothers you so much. I wish you nothing but the best from now on.

[HIMYNAMEISRYRY]

but its a little different i have to add because, I really have no shame or the capacity for regret. I make no apologies for who I am, You shouldn't either

[HIMYNAMEISRYRY]

I don't intend to make fun of your experience at all but if i were in your position I would have had a lot of fun telling those "shameful" stories to all those crazy religious zealots

[sillyboy76]

lol faggots lol ur gay u like men go stick things up ur butt

[sleekcartim]

yet another example how the church hurts ppl. self acceptance is so important! very sorry for your loss, in so many ways

[davidshep45]

I have been gay since I crawled out of my mothers womb. For many years I struggled with the religion issue. So I backed away from church and its retoric and found God on my own. When I pray I talk to God as if I were having a discussion with my best friend. He is fine with my being gay and having the same experiences as anyone would have in a relationship. I refuse to let Christian organizations keep me from the lord. Toss your bible aside and have a one on one with God. You'll feel much better.

[iceflamesburn]

A program like that killed my brother he was still gay and when our grandparents violently objected he went for "help" Six months later this wonder loving, gentle,kind funny person HUNG HIMSELF, they are DANGEROUS

[jehoshqwe]

@iceflamesburn they are not dangerous they just approached him wrong.....I sorry to hear that but stuff like that is not meant to be....do you see gay dogs? cats? elephants ?giraffes? No.. beacuse God made us to genetically so that a man can love a woman and a woman love a man... thats the truth

[iceflamesburn]

@jehoshqwe Sorry I think these people are very dangerous. People are born homosexual. If you can tell me the EXACT Minute you made a decision about your sexuality please do. I have met some very caring and loving Christians and I consider myself a Christian I prefer to leave another persons love and sex life between them and GOD!

[wanderlustonwheels]

@jehoshqwe You're an example of someone who speaks out of complete and utter ignorance. You need to google 'homosexual behaviour in animals' or 'list of animals displaying homosexual behaviour'. homosexuality has been recorded in a large number of animal species (including most if not all primates). That includes dogs, cats, elephants and giraffes. Don't believe me? Do the research yourself and find out.

[aingiltite]

As a European, it really pisses me off to see that the US government allows these Ex-gay programs to exist at all when they clearly contravene human rights legislation.

[aliciasinternets]

thank you for being true to yourself and others and sharing your story. you are awesome!!! :)

[EarthlyDerision]

Thanks for the video mate, its heart felt and sincere. I am so sorry to hear of the pain you and your family exerienced because of the selfish agendas of others.

Cheers

[rsthompson1]

Peterson, your story is very sad and I'm sorry your parents went through that. I was at Love in Action from May 06 to Dec 06. I wouldn't trade it for the world. I got out and the following Jan got back in school. I only stayed sober fora month, but I was proactive about my situation. I met with two pastors weekly, got involved in campus ministry, and hung out with Christian guys. I'm proud to say I've been sober since November 2007. I've never felt happier or closer to God. Try again brother.

[Felidaise]

Sober?

I didn't know LIA cured drug and alcohol problems.

[zannieboi]

Im Sorry But I Dont Believe You.. If Anything I Just Believe That You Are A Good Faker..

[SP567]

My Mom died too. She could never accept me. My father was very abusive to me and to her. I think she felt is was his fault. She thought I could change it. I couldn't. It wasn't his fault either. I was always that way.

Thanks for the video. It's too real.

[p2son]

Thank you so much for your comment and for sharing some of your story. So sorry that you suffered so much.

peterson

[SP567]

Thanks Peterson. I've thought a lot about your video the past few days. Since seeing it, I have realized that another reason my mother could not accept me being gay was that she felt it would mean she had been responsible and she could not deal with that. She had a rough life already and thinking that on top of everything else that she had made her son gay was too much.

It's such a shame that those churches as well as our on society has hurt so many parents with casting such guilt on them.

[malnacit]

P2son,you're gay again!

[eurolad]

Good one Peterson - we met on EdgeOfFaith, and I am one of those who lost my faith in God because of these kinds of ministries. Hopefully some parent struggling with this guilt would feel validated that this is NOT their faul. You Rock!

eddie

[mikemmlj]

Thanks for that, isn't it such an effective way to isolate a shame-filled gay person too, even your parents weren't "good" enough, and if you can't trust your parents who can you trust?

[garysdeskcom]

Very powerful, very moving.

[rbayn79]

Very inspiring and moving.

[herorev]

Wow, how moving.

[frankiefelix]

Peterson, thank you for sharing this. What a dreadful experience for all of you. It is clear to me that your parents did an excellent job of raising you and your love for them shows here beautifully.

[topekadiyver2]

I went through some drug re-hab programs that SOUND a little like LIA, and the methodology seems very similar. My parents were very supportive and went along with all of the family-therapy things. But it WORKED for me! Obviously "Curing" sexuality is a very different thing, even though the LIAr types equate that with addiction. Its just so very hard for me to wrap my head around the whole issue. So I appreciate what you do, even though subtlety and nuance are lost on me.

[sorrowsfemme]

Bravo.

[natwick]

Wow, that was powerful. You're doing such important work, Peterson. Rock on.

[thuggie1]

i think it is one thing that drives people to hate and it is a lake of understanding i am still quite uneasy about how i feel about myself i know that comes from my self loething but i don't think i could ever take it saying it was my perants fult that i was gay i still have a long way to go to love my self and that sounds strange to most people but i think the first person i should love is me.

i love your videos they are realy good

[mrbook7]

Condemnation and change by fear are so harmful. The pressure that is applied by these "theories" and the different experts are so much of the problem. How can someone expect change when the only reason the person they are changing is just bending to their will to be accepted, to be loved. Why not love them first, start with love? And any change that comes from love, is an everlasting and fulling change.

[Tjarn110]

Wow.. great video.

You look alot like your father. :)