Thursday Evening Talk Will Dispel False Claims Made By Focus on the Family's Love Won Out Conference
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was issued today by Truth Wins Out:
What: Wayne Besen, Executive Director of Truth Wins Out (TWO), will discuss the damage caused by programs that teach people to "pray away the gay." The presentation will take place prior to Focus on the Family's "ex-gay" road show, Love Won Out, which rolls into Charlotte on Saturday. Besen will address the history of ex-gay ministries; what the mental health experts say; the bizarre techniques used by these programs; why they are harmful and the political machine behind these dangerous groups.
Besen is the author of Lambda Literary Award nominated, "Anything But Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth." In 2001, he photographed Love Won Out's "ex-gay" founder, John Paulk, inside a Washington, D.C. gay bar.
In 2006, Besen was recognized in the Advocate Magazine's "People of the Year" issue. Besen has appeared as a guest on leading news and political talk shows including: the NBC Nightly News, CNN, Fox's O'Reilly Factor and Hannity and Colmes, MSNBC News and Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
Where: Lesbian & Gay Community Center, 820 Hamilton St., Charlotte NC
When: Thursday, Feb. 19, 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Background: The Charlotte Rainbow Action Network for Equality (CRANE) is sponsoring the lecture. CRANE is a grassroots coalition of activists and community members working toward civil and social equality for Charlotte's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) community.
To educate the community about the harmful message of Love Won Out, CRANE will hold a press conference on Friday, Feb. 20, 11:30 a.m. It will take place at the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Charlotte (234 N Sharon Amity Rd.) At the event, Truth Wins Out and Lambda Legal will unveil their new publication, "Ex-Gay & the Law," which offers practical legal advice for victims of "ex-gay" therapies.
On Feb. 21, there will be a non-violent protest of Love Won Out, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., in front of Central Church of God (5301 Sardis Road). The demonstration is open to all people and supporters of equality are encouraged to participate.
