|
Change Is Possible |
 |
|
|
|
|
NEWS PRESS RELEASE -- JULY 8, 2003 Media Contacts:
DIVERSE
COALITION FORMS TO SUPPORT PEOPLE SEEKING JERSEY CITY, N.J., July 8, 2002 -- A diverse group of 10 national and international non-profit organizations that serve people conflicted over unwanted homosexual attractions has formed a non-profit coalition called PATH (Positive Alternatives to Homosexuality) and established this website as a joint venture. The new coalition includes secular, therapeutic and research organizations in the U.S. and Germany as well as African-American, Catholic, Jewish, Latter-day Saint and Protestant ministries. PATH was formed to promote greater public understanding and acceptance of men, women and youth who experience same-sex attractions but prefer to pursue "non-gay" alternatives that are congruent with their values, beliefs and life goals. The coalition will also support greater access to information and resources for those who seek change. PATH's 10 initial member organizations have collectively worked with thousands of men, women and youth who have either transitioned out of a homosexual lifestyle and identity or resolved their same-sex attractions without ever fully embracing homosexuality. "It's an utterly false stereotype to assume that anyone with homosexual feelings just wants to be accepted and affirmed as gay," said Arthur Goldberg, president of PATH (and co-founder of Jonah, an educational, support and referral organization for Jews). "Many do not. They don't object to others choosing to live a homosexual life, but it's not what they want for their own lives. Those who voluntarily choose an alternative path deserve equal respect and support. "And the fact is," Goldberg said, "people can and do change. The personal life experience of innumerable men and women demonstrates that conclusively. Sexual desires are not immutable." Richard Cohen, a member of the PATH organizing committee who is a therapist and himself a former homosexual, said, "I know from my own personal experience, and the experience of literally hundreds of men and women I have worked with, that change is real. Many of them have developed heterosexual desires, married and had children of their own. Many have saved their existing marriages and families. Some have embraced a 'sexually sober' lifestyle as a single man or woman. Whatever their personal circumstances and goals, they have learned from personal experience that change is possible." In a statement of beliefs, PATH's Website indicates that its members support: personal choice on how to deal with same-sex attractions; the individual's right to be informed about alternatives to living a homosexual life; and the individual's right to decide whether to seek counseling or therapy, what kind of counseling to seek and to determine the desired direction of his or her own therapy program. It also states that those who have transitioned out of a former homosexual identity and lifestyle, or who choose to pursue alternatives to homosexuality, "deserve tolerance and acceptance. Their choices should not subject them to discrimination, ridicule, marginalization, or make them the target of hate speech or accusations of homophobia. Demands for tolerance by one group can never justify intolerance or ridicule of another." The 10 groups forming the coalition are: Courage, a worldwide Catholic ministry based in New York City; Evergreen International, a Utah-based educational and resource organization serving members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; the German Institute for Youth and Society, a think tank and research organization that focuses on social developments affecting the family; the International Healing Foundation, an educational and therapeutic organization based in Maryland; JONAH, or Jews Offering New Alternatives to Homosexuality, an international educational an informational organization based in New Jersey; NARTH, or the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality, a Los Angeles-based professional association that works to make effective psychological therapy available to all homosexual men and women who seek change; OneByOne, a Presbyterian ministry based in New York; PFOX, or Parents and Friends of Gays and Ex-Gay, support and informational organization based in Virginia; People Can Change, a support, informational and training organization based in Virginia; and Powerful Change Ministry Group, a fellowship of Christian African-American-led ministries, based in Atlanta. |
Courage Homosexuals Anonymous (Christian Fellowship)
International
Healing Foundation
PFOX:
Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays
Reality
Resources
True
freedom Trust
|