http://www.philadelphiaspeaks.com/forum/ en Sat, 25 May 2013 03:06:39 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.philadelphiaspeaks.com/forum/images/styles/DeFraction/misc/rss.png http://www.philadelphiaspeaks.com/forum/ http://www.philadelphiaspeaks.com/forum/volunteer/36559-protest-anti-gay-sports-camp.html Mon, 06 May 2013 16:07:00 GMT Peace Advocacy Network (PAN), 501(c)3, a Philadelphia-based social justice organization, plans to protest a "Sports Camp" being held by an anti-gay Catholic organization called Courage. The international Catholic group holds meetings around the world in an attempt to coerce gay individuals into living a completely chaste life, by perpetuating lies and distortions such as their "Health Risks of Gay Sex" handout that warns homosexuality may lead to "fatal injuries due to various forms of sadism."

On May 23rd from 4-6 PM activists supporting PAN will gather at the corner of City Ave. and Wynnewood Ave. in Lower Merion to voice their opposition to the 14th Annual Sports Camp, which claims to help gay men repair their "Sports Wound" and become manlier (a.k.a. less gay). Last year, one Sports Camp participant told the Philadelphia Inquirer, "One time a teammate gave me a sweaty celebratory hug. He was humbly secure in himself, just as he was, selflessly and joyfully showing affection to others. I also liked when one man, whom I’d felt intimated by, gave me a pat on my belly." The three-day event costs participants $395 each.

Beyond the absurdity of the Sports Camp, PAN also has concerns about the connection between Courage and two West Conshohocken therapists they believe are conducting "conversion therapy" and are in touch with an individual who alleges he was pushed to join Courage by one of the therapists after revealing his sexuality. The therapists in question, of the Institute for Marital Healing, are champions of the "ex-gay" movement and appear to have strong ties to Courage. They also had a series of ethics complaints filed against them last year with both the PA state licensing board and the American Psychological Association in regards to allegedly conducting "conversion therapy."

Members of PAN and other local LGBT groups have been speaking with PA legislators about introducing a bill in Pennsylvania that would effectively ban the practice of "conversion therapy" by licensed practitioners and expect a bill to be introduced this year, similar to the one passed in California. PAN thinks these types of legislation are good step in the right direction, but are concerned that religious organizations will still remain exempt from the practice which has been debunked by mainstream psychological and medical authorities.

Learn more:

A Camp for Sports and Avoiding Gay Sex: A camp for sports and avoiding gay sex - Philly.com

Complaints Against Local Therapists: PGN-The Philadelphia Gay News. Phila gay news. philly news - Complaints filed against local therapists

Wolf In Sheep's Clothing: Courage and "Conversion" Therapy: Ed Coffin: Wolf in Sheep's Clothing: Courage and 'Conversion' Therapy

Coverage on WHYY: Peace Advocacy Network anti-"conversion" therapy coverage on WHYY 082812 - YouTube

Email ed@peaceadvocacynetwork.org if you are interested in attending! ]]> Volunteer ecoffin86 http://www.philadelphiaspeaks.com/forum/volunteer/36559-protest-anti-gay-sports-camp.html