Dated: December 13, 2002
Exodus International, North America * P.O. Box 540119 * Orlando, FL 32854* www.exodus-international.org

Breaking News!

News Stories from North America and Beyond

For Further Information contact Randy Thomas Phone: (321) 274-0982

The purpose of this report is to alert our friends and supporters to news items of interest affecting our culture with regard to homosexuality. Some of the news sources are Christian, some are gay and some are secular. Therefore it is possible that anyone reading this report might be offended by some of the articles or websites represented. Exodus International, North America does not endorse or support any viewpoints contained in articles unless specifically and overtly noted. Please feel free to send any feedback to Randy Thomas at rthomas@exodus-international.org.


SPOTLIGHTS:
1) Magazine Wars: Advocate takes on Psychology Today over new book about "Preventing Homosexuality
National gay magazine The Advocate refuses to acknowledge the complexity of human sexuality and attacks Psychology Today for allowing an ad for Dr. Joseph Nicolosi's new book, A Parent's Guide to Preventing Homosexuality. Gratefully, Psychology Today defended a person's right to self-determination. The writer of this particular article in The Advocate apparently sees this reasonable response as ridiculous and even compares the magazine editor of Psychology Today to Dr. Laura Schlesinger in a negative fashion. Not satisfied with being disrespectful of this professional, the author goes on to indirectly threaten that this magazine may share the same fate as Dr. Laura when her advertisers were barraged by angry gay activists (her show was cancelled.) Please consider doing what you can to support Psychology Today's acknowledgment of a client's right to self determination and placement of the Nicolosi ad. Please let us know if you decide to take action.

Warning: this article is on a gay site and the article misrepresents our existence and beliefs.

The Advocate, December 10, 2002 P.O. Box 4371, Los Angeles, CA 90078 Fax: (323) 467-0173 Editorial Fax: (323) 467-6805 ( www.advocate.com ) (Email: letters@advocate.com ) Sick again http://www.advocate.com/html/stories/878/878_signorile.asp

Visit Psychology Today at http://www.psychologytoday.com

2) Should Supreme Court repeal the Sodomy laws in Texas?
NOTE: the following is written from one who believes sodomy to be sin and is directed to people who share that belief. This note has many references to Christian principles, a New Testament account and lingo that may not be familiar or may mean something different to those of a different mind set concerning sodomy. This 'Christianese' is not intended to offend and was left as is because the writer thinks it is important to direct this toward his peers. If you are offended, the writer already asks your forgiveness and welcomes your feedback at rthomas@exodus-international.org.

After publication of this report some much needed clarification came in and we are adding it here. "Facts: Sodomy in the law means anal or oral sex, including between heterosexual married couples. In the 1960s, all states had such laws. Of the 15 states that still have sodomy laws, 5 apply the law only to homosexual acts, and 1 applies the law only outside of marriage. The maximum penalty ranges from a felony with life in prison down to a misdemeanor with 60 days in prison. Opinion: Sodomy in the Bible means what men of Sodom did, which is to say homosexual anal sex. Elsewhere in the Bible, all forms of homosexual sex are prohibited. Conclusion: The word "sodomy" is not a synonym for homosexual sex on the legal side because the term is too broad, and not a synonym on the Biblical side because the term is too specific." We want to thank the reader who sent this in and appreciate this valuable information. Thank you!

For the purposes of the following statement, the writer was specifically focusing on issues where sodomy is equated with homosexual sex.

The biggest news for the past week has been the Supreme Courts decision to review a case concerning the sodomy laws of Texas. Having sodomy laws on the books doesn't appear to have stopped or dissuaded the act of sodomy in the slightest. In the opinion of this writer, sodomy laws applied to consenting adults in the privacy of their own home are not productive. However, the Supreme Court should not repeal them because it will rob people of a chance to make their views known through potential legislative repeals or amendments.

It's obvious we believe sodomy is sin. We don't condone sodomy in any form, public or private. It must also be considered that given the example cited in the book of John 8:3-11 of Christ and His treatment of the woman caught in another sexual sin (adultery) it would seem more appropriate to choose mercy over judgment, be mindful of our own frailty and exhort others to "sin no more." Sodomy laws only reflect judgment and run dangerously close to invasion of privacy when it concerns adults in their own home.

As revealed in scripture it is evident that sodomy brings grief to the heart of God. It is a grief born out of the love He has for these souls engaging in this sensuality. So much so He, through Jesus, would die in order to forgive them of this sin if they would turn to Him and believe. We as Christians are often all to willing to engage this argument with judgment of the behavior but are we willing to stand back and watch God have mercy for the soul? Are we willing to realize that what we see as sinful is deeply personal and intimate for those involved? Do we believe that God understands where they are at and wants to help them find His freedom? This requires those of us who believe sodomy to be sin to not be dismissive and hurtful of a soul God is deeply interested in redeeming. Just like Christ was not dismissive or hurtful toward a humiliated and embarrassed lady caught in adultery we need to evaluate whether sodomy laws are counterproductive to our overall Christian witness.

If the Supreme Court does repeal these laws, it will rob citizens, of all beliefs, the opportunity to enter their voice into the public record over this issue. Yet on the same hand it is this writers conviction that sodomy laws work against our redemptive witness.

The writer also wishes to quote a very wise man, "I reserve the right to be wrong."

3) GSA gets new chapter in Gulf Coast High School (Colliers Florida)
Whereas some battles may not need to be engaged, some do. GSA's (Gay Straight Alliances) are springing up everywhere. Exodus International, North America is very much opposed to the creation of these high school groups. GSA's usually come into high schools unnoticed by parents at large and with little dissent from people of faith. There are a few exceptions but more needs to be done. When asked why it is important to speak up, Exodus Internationaln Board Chair Mike Haley states, " We should respond because the students are being fed misinformation. If we truly love kids and want them to learn accurately we would fight. We need to be willing to put our money where our mouths are though. We need to be willing to get in the schools give our stories. The gay activist community is more than willing to go and speak. Kids love stories and bond to people they can relate with. If none of us are in there how will they ever have a chance to hear or to see a potential role model for their behavior."

Naples Daily News, December 9, 2002 http://www.naplesnews.com/02/12/naples/d829996a.htm  Students launch Collier public schools' first gay-straight club By Ray Parker, brparker@naplesnews.com

4) Finally some coverage over Mary Stachowicz
A gay man was brutally murdered in Ottawa recently. Another was viciously attacked in Kansas. Why mention this here? The title of the following article says it all. Let's do what we can to stop the violence.

Washington Times, December 4, 2002 http://www.washtimes.com/commentary/20021204-9445429.htm  Hate is hate is hate by Rod Dreher