GET INVOLVED

Here are some ways that you can help educate people in your community about so-called "ex-gay" activists:

Tell your story: Even if you have not been directly impacted by so-called “ex-gay” activists or their attempts to de-gay people, you can make a difference by sharing your story and being open with your family, friends, neighbors, colleagues and other people in your community.

So-called “ex-gay” organizations try to convince gay and lesbian people that they are not worthy of love and acceptance and can never be whole. By living openly and talking about your own experiences, you can counter such misinformation and show that gay and lesbian people are fully capable of living happy, healthy and rewarding lives.

Allies have a vital role to play too by showing acceptance and affirmation for gay and lesbian family members, friends, colleagues and neighbors. By sharing your own journey to acceptance you can help other members of your community realize that one of the most important things they can do for the gay and lesbian people in their lives is to affirm and accept them.

If you have been subjected to these harmful practices, consider sharing your story. While the details of your experience may seem embarrassing – and describing the practices may feel silly – your story can help people understand how absurd these groups' claims really are, and turn a spotlight on the harm their practices cause.

Write a letter to the editor or op-ed: If your local newspaper publishes a story on the claims of so-called "ex-gay" activists, help them – and their readers -- understand the harm these discredited practices cause. GLAAD can help you craft an effective letter to your newspaper's editor that will help unmask the misrepresentations of those who claim they can de-gay people. : If one of these groups decides to market their de-gayification practices in your community, GLAAD can also help you write and place a successful op-ed.

Editorial board meeting: In some cases, it may be a good idea to meet with the editors of your local newspaper or news directors of your community television or radio stations. If a group of so-called "ex-gay" activists announces plans to come to your town, a meeting with local media leaders can help ensure they are well-informed on the issues so that they can make an informed decision about whether and/or how to cover their activities.

Organize a public forum: So-called "ex-gay" activists organize "conferences" in a handful of cities each year. If one is coming to your area, it may be helpful to organize a public education forum, a press conference, or some other gathering that will provide local residents with the facts about those who are in the de-gayification business. Consider inviting local health authorities and survivors of so-called "ex-gay" practices to speak on this topic.

Visit a so-called "ex-gay" group: If you hear that someone has started a local group to de-gay people, consider visiting it as an observer. The practices used by these groups often range from the bizarre to the ridiculous -- and the more Americans hear about what goes on inside these kinds of groups, the more skeptical they become. If you decide to attend one of these groups, contact GLAAD for additional information.