Gay Catholics Denounce Latest Round of Ex-Gay Ads

October 8, 1998

by

DignityUSA

<p><b>Washington DC - October 8 1998</b> - DignityUSA the nation's largest and oldest organization for gay Catholics is appalled at the latest attempt by conservative social and religious groups to misinform the American public about homosexuality and to legitimize their own intolerance.</p> <p>The latest version of the so-called &quot;Truth in Love&quot; campaign is a series of television ads and like the full-page newspaper ads in July feature men and women claiming to be &quot;former&quot; homosexuals. In these ads the &quot;former&quot; homosexuals claim that they were able to change their sexual orientation when they accepted Christ. The commercials are slated to run in several states in the weeks leading up to the November 3rd election. The ads are particularly targeted for use in key congressional districts and the outcome of these elections may determine who controls Congress for the next two years.</p> <p>Commenting on this latest round in the &quot;Truth in Love&quot; ad campaign DignityUSA president Robert F. Miailovich said &quot;I am truly saddened at this latest attempt by the radical right to use the Bible and its message of freedom and salvation in a deceptive manner. Each one of us whether we be Christian or non-Christian are called to conversion a conversion of the heart which honors God and all that was created - including lesbians gay men bisexuals and transgender persons. The conversion being advocated by the sponsors of this ad campaign does not honor God rather it is just another crass attempt for political gain.&quot;</p> <p>Charles L. Cox executive director of DignityUSA when asked about the latest round in this ad campaign said &quot;This has to be one of the most cynical attempts by the radical right to use God for pure political gain. The purveyors of this ad campaign do not care about saving lesbians gay men bisexuals and transgender persons for God they care only for themselves and the power and influence they have gained in our nation.&quot; Cox went on to say &quot;If the supporters of this ad campaign truly understood God's love along with the true meaning of conversion then they would realize that nothing - not even sexual orientation - can separate us from the love promised and given to all of humanity by God.&quot;</p> <p>DignityUSA founded in 1969 is the nation's largest organization of Catholic lesbians gay men bisexuals and transgender persons and their loved ones families and friends.</p>