Some more reactions to Alan Chambers apology here

These are less positive reactions and please note I post these cautiously. Im aware the apology means a lot to many people – but I must admit – I personally think the reactions in these articles are a too far

http://sdgln.com/news/2013/06/22/ex-gay-survivors-exodus-kinpin-pulled-wool-over-eyes-tv-viewers#.UcjHSblc0Ck.facebook

http://sdgln.com/social/2013/06/21/rgod2-alan-chambers-exodus-owes-repentance-and-reparations-global-south-video

So Im just posting them for interest and discussion – however I do wonder if there is some wiggle room in Alan Chambers apology

The apology again is here

http://exodusinternational.org/2013/06/i-am-sorry/

and I note the following

1) He apologises for the Churches Ignorance

2) He comments he does not completely agree with either side (so he doesnt agree with the LGBTI Community)

3) His beliefs centre on Grace

4) He acknowledges the pain exodus caused SOME (my emphasis).

5) The stresses that Exodus did some good (by saying the good was overshadowed by the bad) so he still believes – at least in part – what exodus did.

6) He apologises for change efforts THAT STIGMATISE PARENTS (my emphasis) and sexual misconduct, shame and false hope. NOT for telling people it was wrong to be Gay.

7) Hes sorry he didnt stand up to stop people calling Gays names.

8) there is a nice UNQUALIFIED apology about being good parents

9) Hes sorry that he celebrated the end of our relationships (and note he doesnt say hes sorry he broke up the relationships – he is saying hes sorry that he celebrated it – although I may be being pedantic on this one)

10) he apologies that people feel God have rejected them and

11) He apologies people have suicided.

BUT then

12) He notes he still feels the same that Same Sex sex is biblically wrong and

13) Same sex Marriage Is biblically wrong

He offers friendship…peace and the common good ….. and

"by hosting thoughtful and safe conversations about gender and sexuality, while partnering with others to reduce fear, inspire hope, and cultivate human flourishing."

BUT I would note again three things I carry away from that apology … (and I still think its a HUGE step forward)

1) its clear he still thinks that at least SOME of what Exodus did / Does was good

2) He still believes acting on same sex attraction is wrong AND

3) He still believes that same sex relationships are wrong.

How his "Friendship" and such conversations will play out in the light of those beliefs I dont care to try to predict but I wonder if he / they have decided that they will make more headway in promoting their position in a less adverserial stance ?

What are people's thoughts on the apology. What does it mean to you ?

A correction – this interview is with Anthony Venn Brown and Haydn Sennet of Liberty Ministries in Sydney

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/religionandethicsreport/a-22ministry22-to-22ex-gays22-closes-down/4783192

The apology and closing down of Exodus has produced a range of responses. As some of you know I was actually at the Exodus conference at the invitation of Alan Chambers. You can read about that here if you like.

http://gayambassador.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/anthony-venn-brown-at-the-exodus-conference.html

Since these events which included the Lisa Ling Our America "God and Gays", which was aired the second night of the conference, these are some of the reactions.

1. More ex-gay survivors have come out of the closet – now out they are beginning their process of healing. many are are acknowledging trauma, anger, grief and pain for the first time.

2. Some have received the apology with the intent it was given, that is, genuinely saying sorry.

3. Some are very angry about the apology

4. Some have rejoiced that Exodus has closed down

5. Some think there is a insidious agenda and that Alan Chambers is a snake in the grass and can't be trusted.

6. Some are worried that something else will come in and fill the Exodus void

7. The rhetoric against Alan and the Exodus team has become increasingly vitriolic

I spent a reasonable amount of time with Alan and other leaders at the conference and did a 20 minute formal interview with him. I said "Alan its interesting isn't it that after the events of the last few days you and I seem now to have the same enemies"

I have been involved with ex-gay survivor groups since 2000 when I created my first on the net and ran till 2005 when we commenced Freedom2b. I have been in a secret Facebook group with Alan and ex-gay survivors for at least 12 months. I have recently become less involved because of the constant angst. If there is one thing I have observed through the events of the last 13 years and made really clear the last 6 months.

Ex-gay survivors are not an homogenous unit. They come in three categories.

(I have removed the categories which were listed here. It was a draft of an article that needed more work as the concepts were still being formulated. My apologies to anyone who may have read it and been upset or offended. Obviously this was not my intention)

Anthony Venn-Brown

Co-founder of Freedom2b and Founder and CEO of Ambassadors & Bridge Builders International (ABBI)

I have removed the categories which were listed above in my post. It was a draft of an article that needed more work as the concepts were still being formulated. My apologies to anyone who may have read it and been upset or offended. Obviously this was not my intention.