International ex-gay ministry drops local affiliate

Truth Wins Out revealed last week that the nation's largest "ex-gay" organization, Exodus International, officially cut ties with its Lansing affiliate Corduroy Stone after charges were made by an ex-gay survivor that the sessions included harmful and bizarre therapy.
In August, Patrick McAlvey made the charges against Corduroy Stone's Mike Jones in a Truth Wins Out video. At the age of 19, McAlvey, who came from a religious background, was terrified that he might be gay. Feeling vulnerable and desperate to change, he placed his trust in Mike Jones and Corduroy Stone.
"He asked how large my penis was," McAlvey explained of Jones' therapy. "He asked if I shave my pubic hair. He asked what type of underwear that I wore.
He wanted me to describe my sexual fantasies to him and the type of men I'm attracted to. On one occasion, he asked me to take my shirt off and show him how many push-ups I could do, which I did not do."
Truth Wins Out created the video to spread the word about the Lansing-based ex-gay organization. They hailed the decision of Exodus to drop Courduroy Stone from its ranks, but added that the measure should have been taken sooner.
"Shame on Exodus International for dragging its feet when our children were at risk," said Truth Wins Out's Executive Director Wayne Besen. "Exodus was more interested in covering up the scandal than fixing it. This case shows that ex-gay programs lack standards and place vulnerable people in harms way."
"For decades Exodus International has lent this predator some level of credibility," McAlvey added. "Now they have finally realized how dangerous he is, but how many vulnerable folks have already been victimized because of Exodus' support of this man?"
Now, McAlvey hopes that the split from Exodus will mean a loss in credibility for Courduroy Stone and draw more attention to stories like his.
"Mike Jones used to be able to say he was an Exodus International affiliate governed by a Board of Directors," said McAlvey. "Exodus has removed their affiliation and the Board of Directors has dissolved. Now he's just some guy. He's not a mental health professional. He's not a pastor. He's just some guy with made-up theories and outlandish techniques claiming he can help people change their sexual orientation. He is dangerous and I hope people steer clear of this predator."
Truth Wins Out called Mike Jones, but he declined to comment. Exodus' headquarters in Orlando has not addressed the situation since August. Repeated attempts to reach Exodus president Alan Chambers have gone unanswered.