Creep Of The Week
When Exodus International President Alan Chambers announced June 19 that his group, one of the most well known ex-gay rackets in the country, was closing up shop people were stunned. More surprising still was Chambers' apology to LGBT people for, essentially, fucking up their lives by lying to them that they could pray the gay away. It was, Chambers said, all a sham.
And so the whole ex-gay movement shriveled up and died and everybody lived happily ever after, right?
Not quite. You see, the whole idea that being gay is a harmful lifestyle choice, akin to smoking cigarettes or alcoholism, that people can "fix" if only they work hard enough is the bedrock of the anti-gay right. Because if being gay is, well, normal, then being anti-gay is, well, a total dick move, as the kids say.
But have no fear. There are plenty of folks willing to pick up and run with the ex-gay banner. Take Focus on the Family President Jim Daly, for instance. Just two days after Chambers apologized for lying to and hurting so many people, Daly issued a statement reassuring everybody that he would make sure that gays would continue to be lied to and hurt.
"Exodus' closing is being hailed by some as a victory and indication that Christians are abandoning long-held convictions that living with God's design for sexuality is possible through the power of Jesus Christ – that change is possible," Daly said.
But Daly knows better. After all, he apparently has seen God's blueprints for sexuality. Although he couldn't possibly be referring to the Bible because as a sex-ed text, that book is all over the place. Seriously freaky stuff happening back in those olden days.
Daly continued, "The reality is that while Exodus will no longer exist, there are numerous Christian ministries that continue to provide excellent help to those struggling with unwanted same-sex attraction."
Which is true, so long as you replace the word "excellent" with "bullshit." But there are plenty of "ministries" willing to "help" you pray the gay away, just as there are plenty of wealthy Nigerian "businessmen" emailing you about how you can get rich by sending them money.
"We believe there is hope for those who struggle sexually," Daly said. "Be it a struggle with lust, adultery, pornography addiction, pre-marital sex, same-sex attractions or issues related to identity – there is hope."
Aww, hope. Isn't that sweet and reassuring? Especially after Daly equates being gay with being a sex-crazed pervert incapable of fidelity. All the same thing in his book.
"The hope of a Christian is that our behavior becomes more in line with God and God's will," Daly continued. "He wants us to drink from His full cup of grace and truth – because it's through Him we can overcome lifelong struggles with sin."
And since Daly has appointed himself The Boss of God's Will, he knows what you need to drink: Jesus Dew: Code Grace (tagline: "Dew with a rush of Truthy flavor").
"God's help usually doesn't come as a 'fast fix.' It's often a long process," Daly said. "Many times it takes counseling, Bible study, prayer and community support – but it can be done."
At least Daly is willing to admit that becoming "ex-gay" doesn't happen quickly. It takes a lot of time and energy. Daly is right: immersing yourself in the ex-gay lifestyle, i.e. isolating yourself from anyone who would dare tell you that you are okay the way you are and that they love you anyway, is crucial to living a lie.
