Focus On The Family Cutting Back On Gay-To-Straight Counseling

Funny how the economy can affect just about everything. Focus on the Family is cutting back by selling transitioning its gay workshops to Exodus International.

“The economic challenges led us to this strategic decision,” Focus vice president Gary Schneeberger said Wednesday. “Love Won Out is not an inexpensive event to stage, and rarely, in over 50 cities where it’s been held, have we ever made back our investment, despite good attendance.”

Maybe it’s an issue of supply and demand.

Wayne Besen, a gay activist with the group Truth Won Out, said conference crowds are getting smaller and drawing less media attention.

“There is a shrinking market for their product,” Besen said. “This is a very positive development, because it shows Focus on the Family wants to get out of the ex-gay business — though not completely. But if this were something they were really vested in, they would have kept it in-house.”

Focus on the Family gender analyst Melissa Fryrear, a Love Won Out speaker and host, said the ministry still has a great commitment to the issue.

I’m guessing that, even with the beginnings of an economic recovery, it may not be the best time to find work as a “gender analyst.”  Leaving gay people alone and encouraging them to accept themselves for who they are is not only spiritually healthy, it’s economically viable.

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.