|
Reminding us of just how disconnected from reality "ex gay" promoters truly are, Focus on the Family's Jeff Johnston reacted to the recent HRC study on LGBT youth by claiming that "praying the gay away" will save kids from depression and suicide.
Though a main bullet point in the HRC's comprehensive study point-blankly states that "92% of LGBT youth say they hear negative messages about being LGBT," Johnston thinks that increasing the volume on such anti-gay rhetoric will be the magic pill that saves their lives.
Said the FoF mouthpiece on a recent radio show:
There’s lots of kids who are confused about their sexuality and their identity. And for years, groups like HRC and other activist groups have encouraged them to self-identify as gay or transgender. That’s just not good or healthy for these kids… They’re confused about their sexuality and identity, and Jesus came to seek and save the lost, including kids like these.
As ThinkProgress reminds us, studies consistently find that coming out of the closet to a supportive environment is the best road to happiness for the LGBT; conversely, "ex gay" therapy, as the American Psychological Association states, is harmful and dangerous.
By Johnston's logic, should we tell kids at high risk for drug abuse that the best way to avoid overdosing is to do more drugs? Doesn't exactly make sense, not that we should expect that from the Focus on the Family.
 |
