Regional Ministry | Programs | Clergy Concerns | Consulting | Mission | Partnerships

New Publications

From January 2003 issue of "O/AM News"

Exposing the Ex-Gay Movement

In conjunction with Political Research Associates and Equal Partners in Faith, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's Policy Institute recently released "Calculated Compassion: How the Ex-Gay Movement Serves the Right's Attack on Democracy." The three-year study, authored by Surina Khan of Political Research Associates, is the first-ever comprehensive examination of the ex-gay movement. "It unmask[s] the Christian Rightâs ex-gay campaign for what it is: a campaign of hatred and hypocrisy that affronts and offends both the religious and democratic traditions of our nation. [It] is part of a wider political assault on the civil rights of the g/l/b/t community."

The Rev. Meg Riley, co-chair of Equal Partners in Faith, says "The ex-gay movement has gone largely unchallenged in many faith communities, giving the Christian Right a powerful vehicle for justifying discrimination in the name of religion."

"Calculated Compassion" is available for $6 from Political Research Associates, 120 Beacon Street, Somerville, MA 02143; tel. (617) 661-9313.

Some Definitions*

Heterosexism

The institutionalized assumption that everyone is heterosexual and that heterosexuality is inherently superior to and preferable to homosexuality or bisexuality.

Internalized Homophobia

The experience of shame, aversion or self-hatred in reaction to one's own attractions to a person of the same sex.

Intersex

A person born with ambiguous genitalia or with both male and female internal and/or external reproductive organs (replaces the outdated term "hermaphrodite").

Transgender

A broad term used to describe the continuum of individuals whose gender identity and expression, to varying degrees, does not correspond with the social or cultural norms or expectations of their genetic sex.

Transsexual

An individual who presents him/her/hirself and lives as a gender different from his/her/ze genetic sex at birth. Transsexuals may identify as heterosexual, bisexual or homosexual. (Note: "hir" and "ze" are gender neutral pronouns and do not denote gender as male or female).

Adapted by True Colors from Tackling Gay Issues in School (GLSEN, CT) with the note: Language evolves around both gender and orientation. Feedback and discussion re. the definitions above are welcome; Robin at 860/649-7386; www.OurTrueColors.org.