The Religious Right: Wrong on how to help gay kids

4/20: The 'Truth' is that their booking will rightfully raise some eyebrows [Good As You]

Orlando, FL- Two Christian organizations are teaming up to empower youth to express their views on sexuality by co-sponsoring this year's annual Day of Truth event held April 20 on high school campuses nationwide. Exodus International, a ministry that helps those affected by same-sex attraction to live a life that reflects their biblical beliefs and Alliance Defense Fund, a legal support organization, are co-sponsoring the event this year and are hoping for a record turnout that will continue ongoing dialogue on issues surrounding faith and sexuality.

Originally designed to give students an opportunity to openly voice their views regarding theGLSEN-driven Day of Silence event, the Alliance Defense Fund first launched the Day of Truth four years ago. The event has grown from a handful of students to over 13,000 participants in all 50 states. As the movement has grown, the vision has expanded beyond providing legal assistance to ensure student rights to providing practical resources to students wanting to help peers dealing with same-sex attraction. The relational aspect of this event has become the dominant focus and as such, Exodus International will assume leadership in the future...

[ Full Story: Exodus International & Alliance Defense Fund Team Up For Day of Truth Event ]

This stuff really bothers me. Now, obviously you can't take away kids' right to free speech. But it's really troubling to me that the materials they had out support such disproved (and proven to be harmful) programs as those associated with Exodus International. This is not what kids in high school struggling with their identity need. One line really irritates me above all the others:

As the movement has grown, the vision has expanded beyond providing legal assistance to ensure student rights to providing practical resources to students wanting to help peers dealing with same-sex attraction.

Geez! I can tell you how to do that. Are you ready? It's very simple:

ACCEPT THEM FOR WHO THEY ARE.

Like I said, simple, no? And yet these people who claim to be fighting for what's best for kids continually ignore study after study that shows acceptance, by themselves and others, of an LGB or T identity is healthy for kids who are LGB or T. It has been show to reduce suicides, and, according to my experience, allows a person to live a much fuller and more normal live in relation to other people.

But why listen to that? Let's, instead, plow ahead with our agenda-driven pursuits, to hell with the kids who get hurt.