I received some feedback recently from an ex-gay individual that complained (fairly, I believe) that sometimes those of us who criticize ex-gay ministries lump all ex-gays together in our criticism. He said that this makes him feel as though we just want to shut down all ex-gay ministries, regardless of whether they engage in the practices that we criticize.

As this is the beginning of a new year, I think it might be a good time to remind our readers that I do not oppose the existence of ex-gay ministries. Nor do I seek to diminish those who seek to live in accordance with their religious values or even to seek to change the direction of their attractions.

Personally, I am not convinced that orientation can measurable change in the vast majority of gay persons. Yet each of us is ultimately responsible for the direction in which we take our lives and it would be arrogant of me to insist that all persons with same-sex attractions happily embrace their orientation.

So for those ex-gay ministries that seek to operate in an atmosphere of honesty and accountability and do not engage in the practice of objectification, demonization, fear mongering, and cultural and religious arrogance and who see their mission as religious and shun politics, to you I say “thank you”. And I hope that more ex-gay ministries will see your example and emulate you.