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‘Former’ homosexuals cancel ‘ex-gay pride’ event over ‘anti-ex-gay extremism’

‘Former’ homosexuals cancel ‘ex-gay pride’ event over ‘anti-ex-gay extremism’

WASHINGTON — Organizers of the first ever “Ex-Gay Pride” month have cancelled its gala event, blaming “anti-ex-gay extremism” and “security threats,” and said its event would be moved and postponed to an undisclosed location in September.

The recently formed group, Voice of the Voiceless, led by Christopher Doyle and which claims to be the only anti-defamation league for former homosexuals, had planned a lobbying day on Capitol Hill for July 31, followed by an reception and dinner at the Family Research Council, an anti-gay hate group.

The event had sought to portray “ex-gays” as victims and had invited to its benefit U.S.Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) former U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), Liberty Counsel chair Mat Staver, and U.S. Rep. Tim Huelskamp (the Republican from Kansas who, just two days after the Supreme Court put an end to Section 3 of DOMA and gave gay Californians back their right to marry, introduced a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage).

Doyle said harassment by anti-ex-gay activists “caused several security threats which has forced us to change plans, and that is unfortunate.”

The group did not detail any information about the security threats, nor have any been reported prior to Monday’s announcement.

Truth Wins Out, a nonprofit organization that fights anti-LGBT extremism, called the announcement laughable.

“There was never going to be an actual ‘Ex-gay Pride Month’ because ex-gays are as rare as the Dodo bird,” said Truth Wins Out’s Executive Director Wayne Besen.

“They simply could not find real ‘ex-gays’ to participate and had to cancel to save face. This was nothing but a desperate publicity stunt intended to revive a failing industry that has repeatedly embarrassed anti-gay organizations,” said Besen, in a statement.

“We challenge Doyle to come forward and release the names of LGBT activists and organizations that have allegedly jeopardized his organization’s security,” said Besen. “Until concrete allegations are made, we can only assume Doyle is making an excuse for his organization’s abject failure to produce a viable Ex-Gay Pride Month event.”

The Voice of the Voiceless event was intended to revive the failing “ex-gay” industry and distract people from a disastrous year that has included the closing of Exodus International and the group’s former poster boy, John Paulk, coming out.

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