![Sergio-viula-and-emanuel-silvax390](https://www.advocate.com/media-library/sergio-viula-and-emanuel-silvax390.jpg?id=32710681&width=1200&height=876)
CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Current and former "ex-gay" leaders are backing off previous assertions that gay people can be "converted" to heterosexuality, especially after a study of Exodus members showed many were not "cured" of same-sex attractions.
A study in the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy tracked almost 100 longtime members of Exodus, a group that encourages gay people to drop same-sex behavior. Of the three-quarters of people who remained in the study over seven years, only a quarter said their orientation changed. Alan Chambers, president of Exodus, says sexuality is complicated, but he's now careful about strongly suggesting people can switch orientations without major effort. Another group called The Sight Ministry teaches that God wants people to be heterosexual, but also says it cannot "cure" people of homosexuality. Members of such groups who see themselves as successful admit that they still have same-sex attractions, they just deny themselves the satisfaction of gay relationships, according to a story in The Tennessean.
Peterson Toscano, who endured the "ex-gay" movement for 17 years, says he thinks Christians will evolve in their thinking on gays. Regarding their beliefs on slavery and divorce, "The Bible didn't change," Toscano told The Tennessean. "But the way they interpreted the Bible did."
Meanwhile, in Brazil, a former "ex-gay" leader has come out against "conversion therapy." Sergio Viula now says "ex-gays" don't exist and that the "therapy" amounts to "brainwashing" and a form of "violence." Read more here.
Nbroverman
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
21+ steamy photos of Scotland’s finest gay men in Elska Glasgow
February 01 2024 10:07 PM
More Than 50 of Our Favorite LGBTQ+ Moms
May 12 2024 11:44 AM
Conjoined twins Lori Schappell and trans man George Schappell dead at 62
April 27 2024 6:13 PM
Latest Stories
Nancy Pelosi endorses Kamala Harris for president
July 22 2024 4:07 PM
Charli XCX declares Kamala Harris IS brat & our next President's campaign agrees
July 22 2024 3:08 PM
Pete Buttigieg roasts JD Vance and his gay tech bro billionaire
July 22 2024 1:42 PM
The AIDs pandemic can be ended by 2030, but governments must act: report
July 22 2024 1:01 PM
Conservatives' first attack on Kamala Harris: Pronouns and accessibility?
July 22 2024 12:45 PM
Advancing equality during Disability Pride Month
July 22 2024 11:30 AM
Trending stories
Most Recent
Recommended Stories for You
Neal Broverman
Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.
Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.