Ex-Ex-Gay Alan Chambers Talks About Why Conversion Therapy Is B.S.
Once the face of the ex-gay movement, ex-ex-gayAlan Chambers is finally opening up about his dark past as president of the now defunct Exodus International, an organization that aimed to turn gay people straight.
Chambers recently sat down with The Atlanticto plug his new book, My Exodus. He began by talking about his current sexual orientation, which he understatedly describes as “complicated,” admitting that he is still very much attracted to men, but that he also maintains a “good” sex life with his wife, Leslie.
“While many relationships are built on sex, ours just includes sex,” Chambers said. “We love it and value it because we worked hard for it.”
He also talked about his antigay past, both as the leader of Exodus International and as a lobbyist.
In 2006, Chambers campaigned for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. And in 2008, he lobbied in support of Prop. 8, which re-banned same-sex marriage in California after it had already been made legal. But over time he says his thinking “evolved.”
“As I heard more stories and evaluated my own realities,” Chambers said, “I realized change in orientation was not possible or happening.”
In 2013, Chambers abruptly announced that Exodus would be closing its doors for good.
“Shutting down Exodus dealt a fatal blow to the whole idea that orientation can be changed and that God somehow loves you more because of the choices you make,” he recalled. “Some ministries still promote this idea, but they are not going to achieve the same level of success that Exodus had. That position is more of a minority than it has ever been.”
Today, Chambers has a much different message for people struggling with their sexual orientations than he did just a few years ago.
“For those who cannot reconcile their faith and sexuality, they can be affirmed in their choice of celibacy and devote their lives to causes more life giving than ‘ridding themselves of the demon homosexuality,’” he said. “And the gay Christian community can be affirmed in who they already are: beloved.”
Watch This Gay Guy Decide Which Sexy Costume to Wear on Halloween–With Help From His Mom: VIDEO
As Halloween fast approaches, many of you are no doubt wondering what you will dress up as for All Hallow’s Eve.
It goes without saying that Halloween has become the one night a year when you can dress as slutty as you want and no one can say anything bad about you.
Well, in theory at least.
Gay YouTube-r Jack Merridrew, finding himself “single as f*ck” this Halloween, decided he would hit the town in “incredibly sexy, slutty Halloween costumes.”
But how to choose which sexy, slutty Halloween costumes should make the cut? Merridrew turned to his mother for her advice. He tried on 4 different sexy costumes and had her rank them based on which ones she thought would be most likely to lure boys. The end result is both visually stimulating and also adorable and hilarious.
From mom snapping pics of her son to send to her friends.
To Merridrew warning mom before showing off one his more risqué ensembles.
WATCH: Hillary Clinton Says Kim Davis Got What She Deserved
At a campaign event at Cornell College in Iowa this morning, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton offered a pointed critique of antigay Kentucky clerk Kim Davis‘s ongoing defiance of the Supreme Court decision mandating nationwide marriage equality.
“What would you do about somebody if they were to do something like what Kim Davis did recently?” a young person asked the Democratic front-runner, referring to the clerk who spent six days in jail for contempt of court after she cited her Christian faith and refused to issue marriage licenses to anycouples in Rowan County, Ky., to avoid licensing same-sexcouples.
“I think what happened to Kim Davis was the right thing,” Clinton replied. “She violated the law, and therefore she was arrested. And when she was released, she had to agree that she would not stand in the way of doing her public duty under the Constitution.
“So I actually think that she was treated as she should have been treated,” Clinton continued, before affirming that “people are totally entitled to their personal, private beliefs.”
“When you take an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States, that is your job,” she said. “Whether you agree with a decision or not, we have the rule of law. You have to follow the law. … You either enforce the law or you resign from your public position. That is exactly what should have happened.”
Clinton previously discussed Davis’s extralegal saga in a Saturday address to volunteers of the Human Rights Campaign volunteers, but declined to mention Davis by name in that instance. Instead, she focused her ire on Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee, who was “literally standing in the courthouse door in Kentucky, calling for people to join him in resisting a Supreme Court ruling, celebrating a county clerk who’s breaking the law by denying other Americans their constitutional rights.”
Watch Clinton’s remarks on Davis in Iowa today below, via The Washington Post.
When the Supreme Court invalidated same-sex marriage bans in June, the Justices acknowledged they had the kids in mind.
In the majority opinion, Justice Kennedy cited the infringement of the interests of children being raised by same-sexcouples as one reason for the Court’s ruling.
Who are these kids? An estimated 220,000 children under the age of 18 are being raised in same-sex families in the United States. Half are nonwhite.
Protecting kids’ rights
My research, scholarship and advocacy efforts have focused on children, particularly black children, for the past 10 years. In an amicus brief filed in Obergefell — the Supreme Court case that ended same-sex marriage bans — my coauthors and I highlighted the legal and economic deprivations children in these families suffer when their parents can’t marry.
We cited landmark Supreme Court cases that make clear that children should not be punished, stigmatized or discriminated against by government action.
Brown v Board of Education, a landmark civil rights case, was one of the cases we relied on because it represents a high-water mark in the Supreme Court’s recognition of children’s constitutional rights. The plaintiffs in that case were black children asserting their constitutional rights against discrimination by state governments mandating segregated schools.
The Supreme Court cited our amicus brief to support its conclusion that constitutional protection of same-sex marriage affords children “the permanency and stability important to children’s best interests.”
Despite this acknowledgment, the Supreme Court’s opinion is preoccupied with the rights of adults and the expansion of the right to marry. It leaves children in same-sex families at risk.
Legal challenges
Half of the children being raised by same-sexcouples are children of color. Lucy Nicholson/REUTERS
Children born into same-sex families frequently are biologically related to only one parent, and the law recognizes only that one parent. The legal status of the child’s relationship with her nonbiological parent varies from state to state.
Had the Obergefell decision been more focused on the rights of children in same-sex families, its ruling could have ensured that children’s relationships with their nonbiological parents were legally recognized and protected.
However, the opinion failed to reference children’s rights explicitly. As a result, as recent developments in state courts reveal, the rights of children in same-sex families remain vulnerable.
No marital presumption
The Espejo-Mansell family celebrates the end of the same-sex ban. Lucy Nicholson/REUTERS
The law referred to as the marital or paternity presumption automatically recognizes a legal parent-child relationship between children born into a marriage and their mothers’ husbands – without considering biology. In most states, this law affords legally enforceable rights to both the father and the child.
A New York court recently ruled that the presumption does not apply to same-sex spouses, reasoning that the “presumption of legitimacy … is one of a biological relationship, not of legal status.”
In Florida, three sets of same-sex spouses filed suit in federal court challenging the refusal of state officials to put both parents’ names on their children’s birth certificates.
Second-parent adoptions and parenting judgments, which are alternative ways of creating a legal parent-child relationship, could protect children’s relationships with their nonbiological parents. However, even in the dozen or so states that permit adoptions by same-sex spouses, those adoptions are not always recognized in sister states.
Three months after the Obergefell decision, the Alabama Supreme Court refused to recognize a lesbian mother’s adoption of her three nonbiological children granted by a Georgia court in 2007. The court reasoned that Alabama does not need to respect the adoptions because it determined the Georgia court didn’t properly apply Georgia law when granting them.
Loss of wealth
Even after the Obergefell decision, children are being deprived of important legal, economic and social benefits and protections that would result from a legal parental relationship with both of their parents.
Children in same-sex families are losing out on worker’s compensation benefits, social security benefits, state health insurance, civil service benefits, inheritance and wrongful death proceeds. Denial of these benefits could deprive children of thousands – or in rare cases, even millions – of dollars.
Children can also be deprived of the benefit of parental decision-making authority when it comes to health decisions, securing a passport and registering for school.
Imagine a boy is being raised by two mothers. If his biological mother dies, his “other mother” would have no custody claim. The boy could end up in foster care.
Such laws can have a powerful and adverse financial and legal impact.
According to the Williams Institute, which the Supreme Court cited in Obergefell, same-sex families raising children are twice as likely to earn incomes near the poverty level.
Many of these children are already challenged by experiences informed by their race, ethnicity and socieoeconomic status. Depriving this demographic of important financial and legal protections renders them even more vulnerable. It also compromises the permanency and stability the majority of the Supreme Court recognized as important to children’s interests.
The next round of litigation relating to same-sex families should focus on children’s rights to legal parentage by both of their parents. Children should be the plaintiffs in these cases, and like the children in Brown v. Board of Education, their rights should command constitutional protection.
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12 fun utensils to put a spin on your baking routine
Tonight saw viewers all over Britain switch on their TV to watch the final of the Great British Bake-Off – probably the country’s most anticipated television event of 2015 (and the writer, just to mention, was firmly rooting for Nadiya).
While we’re not as creative – or as culinarily gifted – as the contestants, we know that fun is one of the most important parts of baking.
From colorful spatulas to novelty bakeware, there are plenty of ways to add that tiny extra spark to your baking, so we have assembled some of our favorite utensils and accessories to mix up your kitchen.
Cybermen and Daleks are a lot less intimidating if you can defeat them with a single bite – throw in the TARDIS, K9 and the Doctor’s iconic sonic screwdriver and you’re in for a winning set of biscuits.
These can be used for anything, from roasting vegetables to whipping up a pasta bake – but we do recommend you make use of their perfect form to create delicious pies or a zingy lemon tart.
Sometimes, you want to pass a message across in the sweetest way possible and this clever stamp can sure help you with that!
Simply spell out your own message, stamp and bake your cookies and you’ve got your own, sweet mailing system, all without messing about with icing and all that jazz.
Unlike its big brother, this fully functional Death Star cookie jar isn’t capable of destroying a whole planet in one go – but you may notice it having an effect on your waistline. Especially around Christmas.
Wearing a cheerfully colorful harlequin costume over his round belly, Alessi’s Fatman stand hides a clever secret: unfolding into three stainless steel plates, it wouldn’t just make Mary Berry smile in delight but also offers plenty of space to serve your favorite teatime treats, from biscuits to delicate fondant fancies.
Turn the tables on boring, egg-shaped kitchen timers by making this fun vinyl player-shaped timer tell you when your cake is ready to come out of the oven.
Sure, every home should have a good loaf and a good round baking tin, but no-one can resists funny novelty bakeware – whether it’s a castle, monkey or otherwise funnily shaped thing, it’s sure to make everyone smile (and will prevent any cake-modeling disasters, for that matter).
Even if you don’t like Taylor Swift, just reading this probably got you singing – so just imagine what would happen if you had this set in your kitchen, ready to make you tea and cookie break just that tiny bit better.
For a lot of people, learning that someone they know and care about is LGBT can open a range of emotions, from confused to concerned, awkward to honored. HRC.org
Tennessee Commissioner Seeks Resolution Asking God To Spare County From Impending Gay Marriage Wrath
We’re not sure what’s crazier — drafting a resolution asking God to spare the citizens of Blount County from a Sodom & Gomorrah-style wrath in the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling on marriage equality, or actually thinking such a resolution would reach its target audience of one.
But whatever the underlying motivation, County Commissioner Karen Miller sponsored the so-called “wrath of God resolution,” hoping for a lively debate on the subject.
The resolution states: “We adopt this resolution before God that He pass us by in His Coming Wrath and not destroy our County as He did Sodom and Gomorrah and the neighboring cities. As the Passover Lamb was a means of salvation to the ancient Children of Israel, so we stand upon the safety of the Lamb of God to save us.”
We weren’t aware that God took flight-pattern requests when planning a good Old Testament wrath, but hey, we’re open to learning.
Except no discussion was had — the commission swiftly voted 10-5 not to take up the agenda.
Over 100 protesters with the Tennessee Equality Project were on hand to lend their voices to the meeting, and though they were successful in stalling it, they still expect a fight.
“As of tonight, for tonight, this is a victory,” Tennessee Equality Project committee chair Gwen Schablik said. “We were able to drop this issue tonight but are still unsure of what is to come.”
Judge Rules Against Hobby Lobby In Transgender Discrimination Case
Hobby Lobby may have won its Supreme Court case on providing contraception to female employees, but the company was just defeated in court by one of its transgender employees who argued she was discriminated against while working for the craft giant.
Hobby Lobby employee Meggan Sommerville took the company to court after they denied her access to the store’s female bathroom and required her to provide multiple items that proved she underwent a gender change. As Think Progress reports, administrative Law Judge William J. Borah ruled that Hobby Lobby violated Illinois’ Human Rights Act, citing that Hobby Lobby’s request of proof that Sommerville underwent genital surgery is unfounded:
“Respondent contends that being anatomically correct makes a female however, absence of male genitalia does not make a female, as that could occur by illness or injury.
“Nothing in the Act makes any surgical procedure a prerequisite for its protection of sexual related identity. Therefore, Respondent’s unilateral surgical requirement is untenable.”
However, Borah’s order is a recommended ruling and requires the Illinois Human Rights Commission to affirm it in order for it to become official. Despite a step in the right direction, Sommerville’s work situation has not improved:
“It’s humiliating. I have had to restructure my life to watch how much I drink and eat before going to work in an effort to try to avoid using the restroom as much as possible but my fibromyalgia is aggravated with dehydration which just compounds the problem at work.”
Although Hobby Lobby created a gender-neutral bathroom for Sommerville, Judge Borah stated that it “segregates only her because of her gender identity, and perpetuates different treatment, contrary to the Act.” Sommerville continues to work for Hobby Lobby stating she truly enjoys her job and that quitting only serves to empower Hobby Lobby in further persecuting its transgender employees. Judge Borah’s ruling indicates that the state of Illinois is generally heading in the right direction for LGBT rights as Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a bill into law in August that bans the dangerous practice of conversion therapy on LGBT youth.
San Diego Mourns Fourth Trans Teen Lost to Suicide This Year
Beloved by his mother and father, Sarah and Mike Castle, and friends and family, Emmett Castle, a sensitive, quietly mature 14-year-old transgender boy in San Diego took his life Saturday morning at his father’s Mission Valley home, according to local news station KGTV.
“He had a wisdom beyond his years” and a big heart, his mother told KGTV.
Castle began transitioning last summer, and his family immediately accepted him, encouraging him to attend meetings at the Hillcrest Youth Center at the San Diego LGBT Community Center. The Hillcrest Youth Center is the only drop-in and recreational center in San Diego County dedicated to the needs of LGBT youth.
His family sought medical help for Castle’s severe depression, but despite these interventions, Castle had previously attempted to take his life several times, his mother shared with to KGTV. She emphasized that there were no immediate warning signs that would have prepared the family for what happened Saturday morning, noting that the teen was excited about legally changing his name later in the month.
Yet his mother reported that the physical changes of puberty were difficult for Castle, and his occasional misgendering at school upset him to the point where the teen would ask to be picked up by his father.
This is the fourth transteen reportedly passing by suicide in the San Diego area this year. The Advocate last reported on the death of Kyler Prescott, another 14-year-old transgender boy, who was an accomplished pianist and activist for marriage equality and animal rights. Prescott, who died by suicide on May 18, was beloved by his family who affirmed him through his transition. Prescott and his’s family also attended local San Diego support groups for family members of trans youth. Their support mirrors the love shown to Castle by his family.
Taylor Alesana, a 16-year-old transgender girl near San Diego, took her life on April 2, while a gender-nonconforming teenager named Sage, also died by suicide in early March. Both Alesana and Sage were reportedly involved with the North County LGBTQ Resource Center, where Prescott also attended various group meetings.
With the Castle family’s blessing, the young man’s aunt, Danielle Stickler, and family friend Allison Erickson, have set up the Emmett Castle Memorial fund as a GoFundMe page where the public may contribute funds towards funeral costs, with remaining donations to be given directly to the the San Diego LGBT Community Center.
In her discussion with KGTV, Castle’s mother urged family members of trans youth to love their child and seek help when it is needed.
To transteens themselves, the grieving mother has a more urgent message:
“I just want them to hold on. The transition can be painful, but we love you. We love you.”
If you are a trans or gender-nonconforming person considering suicide, Trans Lifeline can be reached at 877-565-8860. LGBT youth (ages 24 and younger) can reach the Trevor Project Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 can also be reached 24 hours a day by people of all ages and identities.
Gay, Bisexual Men Report More Indoor Tanning, Skin Cancer
(Reuters Health) – – Sexual orientation may be a factor in a person’s risks of skin cancer and of using indoor tanning devices, suggests a new study.
Gay and bisexualmen were up to six times more likely than straight men to use indoor tanning devices and to experience skin cancer while lesbian and bisexualwomen were about half as likely as straight women to do either, researchers found.
“Unfortunately, we weren’t able to directly prove a link between indoor tanning and an increased risk of skin cancer,” said Dr. Matthew Mansh, who did the research while he was a medical student at Stanford University in California.
Indoor tanning is linked each year to about 400,000 cases of skin cancer in the U.S., according to data cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The researchers write in JAMA Dermatology that previous studies suggested higher rates of indoor tanning and skin cancer among sexual minority men, but research was lacking on actual rates.
For the study, the researchers used data from a 2013 national health survey and a survey from California conducted in 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2009.
The combined data included responses from about 78,000 heterosexual men, about 108,000 heterosexual women, about 3,100 gay and bisexualmen and about 3,000 lesbian and bisexualwomen.
Based on the data, the researchers found the prevalence of skin cancer among gay and bisexualmen ranged from about 4 to 7 percent, compared to about 3 percent among heterosexual men.
Gay and bisexualmen were also between three and six times more likely to report indoor tanning than heterosexual men, the researchers found.
They also found that lesbians and bisexualwomen were 43 to 46 percent as likely as heterosexual women to indoor tan. They also had 56 percent as many reported non-melanoma skin cancers, the most common types of skin cancer, as straight women.
The study can’t say why indoor tanning and skin cancer rates differ by sexual orientation, said Mansh, who is now affiliated with the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco.
He also cautioned that there are unmeasured factors that may explain some of the results, including rates of outdoor tanning and history of skin cancer screenings.
“Before we devote resources to trying develop target intervention programs, we have to understand why this group is at risk for elevated indoor tanning use,” said Aaron Blashill, who co-authored an editorial accompanying the new study.
A more general media campaign informing gay and bisexualmen of their increased risk may be beneficial while that data is collected, said Blashill, of San Diego State University.
Dr. Eleni Linos, who is a co-author of the new study and affiliated with the University of California, San Francisco, also researched the possibility of using Google’s advertising service to tell people about the dangers of indoor tanning and skin cancer.
In a separate paper published in the same journal, Linos and her colleagues report that they created three ads with information about skin cancer and tanning. The ads were shown about 236,000 times and clicked more than 2,000 times, although researchers can’t say whether the ads actually stop people from tanning.
— This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.
Once the face of the ex-gay movement, ex-ex-gay Alan Chambers is finally opening up about his dark past as president of the now defunct Exodus International, an organization that aimed to turn gay people straight.
We’re not sure what’s crazier — drafting a resolution asking God to spare the citizens of Blount County from a Sodom & Gomorrah-style wrath in the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling on marriage equality, or actually thinking such a resolution would reach its target audience of one.
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