Commentary

Hello, Mr. President? The ‘ex-gays’ called, they would like their pride back…

Hello, Mr. President? The ‘ex-gays’ called, they would like their pride back…

Bear with me while I ask this question: If you are ex-gay, are you not straight?

And if you’re straight, do you not have every right and privilege given to every straight person in America?

I only ask because Christopher Doyle, the co-founder of a group called Voice of the Voiceless, requested a meeting with President Obama or a senior member of his civil rights staff to “discuss tolerance for the ex-gay community and how the White House can ensure equal access for ex-gays in the nation’s capital, which is the only jurisdiction that recognizes ex-gays as a legally protected class.”

They — the members of the “ex-gay” community — are celebrating their first-ever “Ex-Gay Pride Month,” and with the help of The Family Research Council’s FRC Action (um, Josh Duggar’s new gig), will hold their first ever Ex-Gay Pride Month dinner in Washington, D.C. on July 31.

Invited to speak at this dinner is Michelle Bachman, Jim DeMint of the Heritage Foundation, Matthew Staver of the Liberty Council, and 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 believes that ex-gays, like himself, are mis-characterized by the media and LGBT activists.

“Former homosexuals and ex-gays and persons with unwanted same-sex attraction that don’t identify as lesbian and gay and are seeking a different path are going to come together and let our voices be heard,” he says.

“We formed an anti-defamation league for former homosexuals like myself. … I was once one of those persons. I am now married to a woman. So basically, we’ve just been really marginalized by the LGBT activist groups because they’re threatened we are seeking a different path. We aren’t trying to take away anyone’s rights,” says Doyle.

Now, everyone is certainly entitled to their own beliefs — and mine is that there is no such thing as an ex-gay. You’re either gay, or your not. If you have sex with men and women, then you’re bisexual — not ex-gay.

I spent 20 some years hiding behind the being married, “I’m not gay” banner to not know and understand what that means.

It means, “I really am gay and I’m scared to death to come out, so I’m going to lie to myself and everyone else about who I am. I’m going to deny, deny, deny and believe I can change my attraction to women, and be a wife in every sense of the word.”

I could not.

But Doyle says: “[Homosexuality] just wasn’t for me. That’s why I chose a different path. We really need to accept people in their choices.”

What do you believe?

Opinions and advice expressed in our Views & Voices columns represent the author's or publication's own views and not necessarily those of LGBTQ Nation. We welcome opposing views and diverse perspectives. To submit a article, column or video, contact us here. Due to the volume of submissions received, we cannot guarantee publication, however you are invited to express your opinion in the comment section below.
Don't forget to share:

Support vital LGBTQ+ journalism

Reader contributions help keep LGBTQ Nation free, so that queer people get the news they need, with stories that mainstream media often leaves out. Can you contribute today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated

Eleven same-sex couples file lawsuit to overturn Ark. gay marriage ban

Previous article

Catholic Cardinal refers to gay U.S. Ambassador nominee as ‘faggot’

Next article