HOMOSEXUAL HEALING ADS STIR UP OPPOSITION

WASHINGTON, July 16 (LSN) The homosexual ads that pro-family groups placed in   leading US papers earlier this weak have set off a storm of controversy. The ads   offer a message of healing and hope to homosexuals who want to escape their sexual behaviour patterns. The ads, co-sponsored by the Christian Coalition, Family Research Council, and Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, were printed in   the New York Times, the Washington Post, and USA Today.  Opposition from homosexual activists was to be expected, but the hyperbole and   rhetoric that was generated was alarming. According to a report by Reuters news agency, Tracey Canaty of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, said her   organization viewed the advertising campaign as a new attack on homosexuality.  She also accused the ads of demonstrating “bigotry, hatred and intolerance.” These comments came despite the fact that the ads included testimonials from former   homosexuals who had been helped in their desire to end sexual same-sex   relationships. Elizabeth Birch, spokeswoman for the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest gay and lesbian advocacy group, said that “nobody wants to   denigrate this woman’s story,” but claimed that “the fact is, it doesn’t reflect the vast majority of experiences of gay people in America.”