Posted on 10/15/2004 2:57:02 AM PDT by kattracks
(CNSNews.com) - Sen. John Kerry's declaration Wednesday that homosexuals don't have a choice about their sexual orientation has enraged individuals who identify themselves as "ex-gays."
In response to a question at the third presidential debate, Kerry made reference to Vice President Dick Cheney's lesbian daughter, Mary. Kerry said she was "being who she was born as." His response angered Lynne Cheney, the vice president's wife, as well as ex-homosexuals.
"Senator Kerry, in his answer, basically invalidated me as a person," said Jeralee Smith, a self-proclaimed former lesbian who runs a support group for "ex-gay" educators. "I have experienced significant change in my sexual orientation and my feelings."
Kerry's commentcame in response to a question moderator Bob Schieffer of CBS News directed at President Bush. Schieffer asked, "Do you believe homosexuality is a choice?"
Bush told Schieffer he didn't know. But when Schieffer turned to Kerry, the Massachusetts senator immediately brought up Mary Cheney as evidence that homosexuals are born that way.
"I think if you were to talk to Dick Cheney's daughter, who is a lesbian, she would tell you that she's being who she was, she's being who she was born as," Kerry said. "I think if you talk to anybody, it's not choice. I've met people who struggled with this for years, people who were in a marriage because they were living a sort of convention, and they struggled with it."
Ex-homosexuals told CNSNews.com that Kerry obviously didn't have a grasp of the issue. Even though some research has pointed the possibility of a "gay gene," other scientific studies have shown that environmental factors are equally responsible for a person's sexual orientation.
Shortly after Kerry made the remark Wednesday, reaction started pouring into Warren Throckmorton, a professor at Grove City College in Pennsylvania. Throckmorton said ex-homosexuals expressed outrage to him about Kerry's comment.
"Kerry's views, unfortunately, present a view of homosexuality that science does not support," Throckmorton said. "Bush, wisely, has reserved judgment and his views are closer to where science has progressed to at this point. I'm concerned that Kerry misled the country."
Throckmorton, considered an authority on sexual orientation, recently released his own documentary, "I Do Exist," which chronicles the lives of ex-homosexuals.
"If people are born gay and they're being who they are, then what about all these ex-gays?" he asked. "What about all the people on my film, 'I Do Exist,' who once believed they were born gay, but through a process of change and reflection, now are attracted exclusively to the opposite sex."
One of the people who contacted Throckmorton was Chad Thompson, 25, of Des Moines, Iowa, who described himself to CNSNews.com as someone who was confused about his sexuality as a teenager. Thompson runs a group called Inqueery, which helps ex-homosexuals in schools.
"It sounds like John Kerry is saying that I don't exist," Thompson said. "I certainly wouldn't want someone representing me who isn't even willing to acknowledge that I'm here."
Thompson added: "I wasn't surprised by the position that he took. But the way in which he stated it really was an insult to the tens of thousands of people that have struggled with homosexual orientation and have chosen to come out on the other side."
A spokesman for the Kerry campaign didn't return a message Thursday. The Human Rights Campaign, a homosexual activist group supporting Kerry, released a statement Wednesday accusing Bush of putting "politics ahead of the science" on the homosexual choice question.
Some ex-homosexuals wish Bush knew more about them so he could have given a more definitive answer at the debate. One such person is Alan Chambers, executive director of Exodus International, a Christian ministry that counsels homosexuals.
In his personal capacity, Chambers, a former homosexual, supports Bush. In a letterhe drafted to the president, Chambers said he was proud of Bush's leadership, but he wanted him to better understand the issue and get to know ex-homosexuals.
"We all have a choice to do what is best, and with regard to acting on my homosexual feelings and inclinations, I did not choose God's best for me or for society when I chose to act upon them," Chambers wrote. "However, I did finally choose to live beyond those feelings and today I am not a homosexual nor am I tempted to be one."
Exodus International plans to make a public pitch Friday, said Randy Thomas, the ministry's communications director. Thomas, also an ex-homosexual, said he was personally offended by Kerry's comments, but not necessarily surprised.
"There is absolutely zero scientific evidence that would suggest people are born gay," Thomas said. "It's a simplistic answer that will pander to people that he is winking at when he says he is not for gay marriage. But in reality, he promotes rhetoric that is straight out of a gay activist brochure."
Kerry's answer aside, ex-homosexuals had praise for Schieffer for merely asking the question in the fashion he did.
"Just the fact that the question was asked was incredible," said Smith, a teacher from Grand Terrace, Calif. "It is indicative of the progress we've made as a movement."
See Related Story:
Kerry's 'Tawdry Political Trick' Angers Lynne Cheney (Oct. 14, 2004)
E-mail a news tip to Robert B. Bluey.
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http://www.life-ministry.com
Life (Living In Freedom Eternally) Ministry is a Christian ministry in Manhattan that has helped thousands overcome homosexuality for 20 years.
From the home page:
"Welcome to the website of L.I.F.E. Ministry in New York City, a ministry called and ordained to set people free from homosexuality through the truth and power of God and His Son, Jesus Christ. We have been set free from years of bondage and emotional lies and you can be also. We have seen hundreds of people here in midtown Manhattan over our 20 years of ministry in this city. They have come to us for counsel and prayer, and their lives have been changed. God's ways do not fail. He desires that we find freedom and peace in Him. Intimacy with God is the answer to all addiction-- and homosexuality is addiction-- relationship addiction. The problem is to remove the blockages and resistance to that intimacy.
Also some ministries teach that healthy same-sex relationships are the key to outgrowing homosexuality. We find that the Scripture says just the opposite. In I Peter 1:22 we read: "Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply from the heart." Most of us, while in homosexual deception, felt we loved someone, when truly we were using that person as a fix to keep our emotions quiet. So we need to learn how to love by purifying our thoughts, minds and emotions until they obey the truth. Then we can love sincerely, from the heart. Out of this work comes freedom and then we build godly friendship. The relationship with God is first so His love can motivate all other love.
We know you will find teaching and testimony here that will give you hope and direction to build a new life. God is with you. Always remember God Himself said He is married to the backslider. St. Paul said he had been a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, and he was shown mercy by God. God's mercy is new every morning. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Let us hear from you. We are delighted to have the privilege of sharing the Good News of God's love. May the Lord bless you today with new hope and understanding.
Joanne Highley"
....Sen. Kerry, for his part, brought up the subject of Mary Cheney, the gay daughter of Vice President Dick Cheney, as did Sen. John Edwards during the vice presidential debate. Yes, the issue was relevant in the sense that they were discussing a constitutional amendment to limit marriage to a union between a man and a woman. But it was as if Sen. Kerry was saying, “See? Republicans might be conservatives, but there are lesbians in the woodpile!” and as a result it came off more like a cheap shot. ...
http://www.theday.com/eng/web/news/re.aspx?re=8775D2AD-4F89-4433-9FAF-129DBB7910D6
BUMP for later reading.
Backlash over Kerry's comment about homosexuality. I hope this gets some attention from the media. I have sent a letter to the editor of my local newspaper. still waiting for the mainstream media to air a report ..(Crickets chirping)
dittos
There will be a lot of fall-out from this article, too. It doesn't suit the gay agenda to have people questioning the issue of homosexuals leaving the fold and returning to the life God intended them to live.
Unfit To Win Friends And Influence People
"Kerry's views, unfortunately, present a view of homosexuality that science does not support," Throckmorton said..."If people are born gay and they're being who they are, then what about all these ex-gays?" he asked. "It sounds like John Kerry is saying that I don't exist," Thompson said... the way in which he stated it really was an insult to the tens of thousands of people that have struggled with homosexual orientation and have chosen to come out on the other side."
Most excellent points here. As I said yesterday, former homosexuals are the elephant in the room.
BTTT
Check out Dr. Joseph Nicolosi and company at NARTH.com
I sat on a panel with him for a radio discussion pertaining to the homosexual condition and Reparative Therapy. He is one of the leading proponents in a field that can truly help the homosexual person recover heterosexuality.
Most folks try to be members at least a day before they insult God.
Actually, the information I have seen shows that 50% of homosexual men are born homosexual, the other 50% get sucked into it later in life.
I've seen a lot of information on homosexuality but never anything remotely close to what you said above. It appears you may be confusing a quote with the discreted twin studies with some other report that was debunked. I'm more than interested in any source material you have.
It was a pun.
My wife is in no way a partisan, and likes to hear both sides. She has been and continues to be a Bush supporter. However, she is not nearly as partisan about it as I am, and she can view these things in a real non-partisan way. Because I tend to yell at the TV when Kerry talks, I watched the debate in the basement, while she watched it upstairs. After the debate, I asked her about that comment before letting on what i thought. She thought it was incredibly tasteless, and insisted that most women (especially moms) will see it as such.
I think the lesbian remark may be the "Kitty Dukakis" moment in this election. Just as Mike Dukakis could not understand the furor over his answer, Kerry still doesn't get it.
Thank You.
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