In the News:

American Psychological Association criticizes “ex-gay” proponents
Ascension on Fire Island: Sunday, August 20
In the states
Creating Change offers a group of inspiring speakers

American Psychological Association criticizes “ex-gay” proponents

The American Psychological Association (APA) released a statement Thursday criticizing groups such as Focus on the Family for creating an “environment in which prejudice and discrimination can flourish” by erroneously labeling homosexuality an illness and advocating for so-called “conversion therapy.” The statement was issued during the APA’s annual convention, which drew an anti-gay protest led by the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH). Truth Wins Out held its own event to counter NARTH; the APA issued this statement:

“For over three decades the consensus of the mental health community has been that homosexuality is not an illness and therefore not in need of a cure. The APA’s concern about the positions espoused by NARTH and so-called conversion therapy is that they are not supported by the science. There is simply no sufficiently scientifically sound evidence that sexual orientation can be changed. Our further concern is that the positions espoused by NARTH and Focus on the Family create an environment in which prejudice and discrimination can flourish.”

For a comprehensive analysis of the “ex-gay” movement, see the recent Task Force Policy Institute study Youth in the Crosshairs: The Third Wave of the Ex-Gay Movement.

Ascension on Fire Island: Sunday, August 20

One of the most beautiful beaches in the world — Fire Island — will be the backdrop for Sunday's fabulous fund-raiser for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Ascension debuts in the Pines this Sunday, bringing with it world-class deejays and dance floors filled to capacity! The main event, a beach party to be held on Sunday, August 20, from noon to 6 p.m., will feature DJ Brett Henrichsen. For information on the entire slate of parties and to purchase tickets, visit http://www.ascensionparty.com/aphome.asp.

In the states

Months of hard work paid off for PROMO, the Task Force's capacity building partner in Missouri, when 11 of its 14 endorsed candidates won their primaries last Tuesday. The Missouri Senate now boasts two champions of LGBT equality: Jeff Smith and Jolie Justus, the state's first openly lesbian senator. PROMO had knocked on hundreds of doors, made thousands of phone calls and sent 5,000 pieces of direct mail to get out the vote among pro-LGBT-equality voters.

[ Learn more ]


Equality California presents the 7th annual Los Angeles Equality Awards: Celebrating the State of Equality on Saturday, Aug. 19, hosted by television star Chad Allen and featuring Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and state treasurer and gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides. EQCA will also honor Andy Bell of Erasure, civil rights attorney David C. Codell and the United Church of Christ. Nine hundred community leaders, activists, politicians and supporters of equality are expected to attend.

[ Learn more ]

Creating Change offers a group of inspiring speakers

Don’t miss Creating Change, the LGBT community’s premier organizing conference, Nov. 8–12 in Kansas City, Mo.

This year's conference will spotlight an impressive lineup of speakers, including Task Force Executive Director Matt Foreman; Oscar De La O, president and CEO of Bienestar Human Services, the largest Latino HIV social service organization in the country; Dr. Marjorie J. Hill, interim executive director of Gay Men’s Health Crisis; Andy Marra, board president of the National Center for Transgender Equality; Eddy Morales, outgoing president of the United States Student Association; Rinku Sen, president and executive director of the Applied Research Center and publisher of ColorLines magazine; and Olga Vives, executive vice president of the National Organization for Women.

[ Register today for Creating Change ]

[ Download a copy of the conference brochure ]

Contact Us       Donate

www.theTaskForce.org