‘Gay conversion’ event at Ballynahinch church

‘Gay conversion’ event at Ballynahinch church

11 June 2014

ANOTHER controversial ‘gay conversion’ themed conference is planned for Ballynahinch.

The ‘Debunking the Myths’ convention, which promotes the idea that homosexuality can be negated through psychotherapy and prayer, will be held at Ballynahinch Baptist Church on Saturday.

Gay rights group The Rainbow Project, who protested at a similar event at the church in December, said the type of therapy being promoted at the conference was “unethical”.

The conference theme this time round is — ‘Protecting the freedoms to believe, to exist and to change when homosexual feelings are unwanted’.

One of the organisers, Dr. Mike Davidson of the Core Issues Trust, said the conference would also challenge recent statements from the medical mainstream, who argue against such therapy.

Asked why the conference was returning to Ballynahinch, Dr. Davidson said the Core Issues Trust charity’s registered office was in the town.

“The ‘Debunking the Myths’ conference is timely given the fact that we are now into the second phase of the ‘Sexual Orientation Strategy’ consultation, which is currently being run by the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) in collaboration with the ‘Rainbow Project’,” he said.

“The consultation process, as reflected on the OFMDFM website, promotes only research offered by the Rainbow Project, and is therefore unbalanced. The ‘Debunking the Myths Conference’ offers attendees exposure to three world-leading Christian teachers.”

On the issue of the potential offence of the conference, Dr. Davidson said: “Core Issues Trust values freedom of speech and respects the freedoms of individuals to hold values that contradict traditional Christian family values.

“It promotes the idea of critical debate and scientific research to achieve better understanding of the human condition, including sexuality. It rejects the idea that homosexuality is inborn and unchangeable, and disagrees that high levels of mental heath issues associated with homosexuality result mainly from systemic, internalised homophobia or from societal discrimination. The conference event is open to anyone willing to engage meaningfully with the information presented, and all are welcome.”

Among the speakers at Saturday’s event are Robert Gagnon, Associate Professor of New Testament at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, author Anne Paulk, CEO of Restored Hope Network, and Christopher Rosik, American Psychological Association member and licensed Clinical Psychologist.

John O’Doherty, pictured, Director of The Rainbow Project, said: “The Rainbow Project supports the consensus statement by The UK Council for Psychotherapy, The British Psychoanalytical Council, The Royal College of Psychiatrists, The British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, The British Psychological Society, Pink Therapy, The National Counselling Society, and Stonewall in relation to reparative therapy.

“We support this statement saying that reparative therapy is unethical and that it is premised on the assumption that minority sexual orientation is a disorder,” he said.

“We believe that reparative therapy is a dangerous practice which causes harm to the emotional health and well-being of our community. We would encourage those struggling with their sexual orientation or gender identity to seek support from The Rainbow project.”

In relation to the comments made by Dr. Davidson on the Sexual Orientation Strategy and the OFMDFM, Mr. O’Doherty said: “The Rainbow Project are proud, as Northern Irelands leading LGBT organisation, to be working closely with OFMDFM on this strategy, which is long overdue. The Rainbow Project believe that this is an important strategy which should work to address the inequalities experienced by our community and we will work with all government departments to ensure that this strategy appropriately addresses these inequalities.”