National Debate on Homosexuality Coming To San Jose

March 31, 2008

Colorado Springs, Colo. – Focus on the Family’s international Love Won Out conference on homosexuality will make its San Jose stop April 12, just as the topic is hotly debated on national television shows like Friday’s ABC’s 20/20.

While some argue that a “gay gene” causes people to born homosexual, many scientists – like some of those featured on 20/20 – cannot affirm that homosexuality is 100 percent biological, conceding that at least part of homosexuality is a learned behavior

Other studies confirm long-term change away from homosexual orientation can occur through religious mediation such as group discussions, counseling, Bible reading and prayer. Fueling the debate is Ex-Gays? A Longitudinal Study of Religiously Mediated Change in Sexual Orientation (InterVarsity Press) which found that 67 percent of participants either reported a change towards heterosexual orientation or were successfully continuing work towards that goal.

“Anyone who has undergone the life-changing process of leaving homosexuality behind will tell you that it is not an easy one,” said Exodus President and LWO speaker Alan Chambers. “However, for thousands of us, the journey has been well worth it. Regardless of what causes same-sex attraction, our lives show that others can live a life free from its dominance.”

Love Won Out extends this redemptive message of change to men and women struggling with unwanted same-sex attractions, while educating the community on how to respond to this issue with grace and truth. It is driven by men and women who, like Chambers, who used to self-identify as homosexuals and no longer do.

Another such speaker is Melissa Fryrear, Focus on the Family’s director of Gender Issues. “Everyone who shares their story at Love Won Out is honest about the struggles, challenges and joys that characterize the journey out of homosexuality,” said Fryrear. “It’s our hope that our experiences provide audiences with a clearer picture of what it means to apply timeless biblical truths to a very human situation.”

San Jose marks the 49^th stop for Love Won Out. The international event is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and is Focus on the Family’s longest-running conference.

Love Won Out San Jose will be held in Mountain View on April 12 at Abundant Life Fellowship, located at 2440 Leghorn St. The conference will run from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Gary Schneeberger at (719) 548-5853 or press@family.org, or Sonja Swiatkiewicz at (719) 548-4570 or culturalissues@family.org.