I was on the
GCN discussion boards yesterday and somebody mentioned that she and her husband used to travel to Iowa City regulary back in the early 2000s to attend Exodus International-led support groups after their son came out as a gay man. This came as a shock to me because I've never heard of ex-gay programming here in Iowa City. Certainly not within the past 15 years! But it's true. I did some google searching and discovered a local church that is an Exodus International affiated church. I won't post the church's name because I don't want to give them the advertising or the grief.
I will tell you that I was kind of shocked to learn of this church's ongoing connection to Exodus International. I personally know the pastor. I've worked alongside this church's staff and some of its membership. I follow the pastor on Twitter and vice versa. It's never come up. Plus the church has one of those relevant hipster vibes.
Looking back, I see the clues. I never did the ex-gay thing, so I'm not dealing with old wounds or anything. But I'm still shocked and a little dismayed...
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