Ex-gay event sparks counter-conference

[davidinalameda]

http://www.expressgaynews.com/2006/5-6/news/localnews/exgays.cfm

Describing ex-gay "reparative therapies" as "child abuse" and psychologically damaging to adults, a group of local gay activists have organized a counter-conference to protest Focus on the Family’s ex-gay "Love Won Out" conference, which will be held Saturday, May 6, at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale.

The counter-conference, "Love Welcomes All," will be held from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church, located at 2501 NE 30th St. in Fort Lauderdale. Organizers said they planned a peaceful protest and prayer vigil to be held in front of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church immediately after the counter-conference.

"We wanted to show that Coral Ridge does not speak for all religious people on the gay issue," said Marc Paige, one of the organizers