Wayne Besen to Speak on ‘Ex-Gay’ Myth On Thursday at University of Alabama Birmingham

What: – Wayne Besen, founder of Truth Wins Out (TWO) and author of “Anything But Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the ‘Ex-Gay’ Myth” will speak on the dangers of “ex-gay” programs at University of Alabama Birmingham, Thursday (7PM). The UAB presentation coincides with Focus on the Family’s final Love Won Out conference, which urges people to “pray away the gay.” In Sept. 2000, Besen photographed Love Won Out’s “ex-gay” organizer, John Paulk, in a Washington, DC gay bar.

Where: University of Alabama Birmingham
Hill University Center Alumni Auditorium
1400 University Blvd. (NE corner of University & 14th Street S.)
Thursday, Nov. 5 (7:00-8:30 pm)

Who: Author and activist Wayne Besen’s multi-media presentation is sponsored by UAB’s Office of the Vice President for Equity and Diversity, The Alliance for GLBT Equality at UAB, Equality Alabama Birmingham, Central Alabama Pride and PFLAG.

Quote: “The research is very clear that you can’t pray away the gay and attempts to do so can be harmful,” said Wayne Besen, Executive Director of Truth Wins Out. “Focus on the Family is offering false hope to vulnerable people and profiting from their pain. They are intentionally confusing stereotypes with legitimate science in an attempt to mislead people about homosexuality. We hope to offer a realistic view of our lives and use sound science to set the record straight.”

Background: Throughout the week, Besen will join a coalition of Alabama gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender advocates responding to Focus on the Family’s Love Won Out conference. This includes a Saturday morning demonstration in front of the “Love Won Out” event at Metropolitan Church of God.

Earlier this week, Besen was named one of Instinct Magazine’s “Leading Men 2009.” Besen has appeared as a guest on news and political talk shows including: Comedy Central’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, NBC Nightly News, CNN, Fox’s O’Reilly Factor and Hannity and Colmes and MSNBC News.

Truth Wins Out is a non-profit organization that counters anti-gay misinformation, exposes the “ex-gay” myth and educates America about the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and trangender people.