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“Ex-gay” activist will speak at Yale on Friday

By 31 March 2011 3 Comments

"I do believe that gays can change, but my definition of change is quite different than most."

Christopher Yuan, a self-described “former homosexual,” will speak to an audience of Yale students at the Af-Am House this Friday at 7:00. Yuan is making his first appearance at the Gay Ivy at the invitation of the Yale Christian Fellowship and Yale Students for Christ, although it seems likely that the audience will include quite a few people who are less sympathetic to Yuan’s message. A few interesting facts about Christopher Yuan:

  • According to his infomercial-esque website, Yuan “began living promiscuously as a gay man” while in dental school, started using and dealing drugs (we are left to assume that this was a natural corollary of his new “lifestyle”) and eventually contracted HIV. Later on, he turned to God and left behind his identity as a gay man—though his FAQ section emphasizes that he does not identify as heterosexual, implying that he has chosen celibacy as a “God-honoring” lifestyle.
  • The same FAQ section helpfully asks the question, “Are Gays Doomed?” Yuan’s jocular response is “Hell no!” It’s not one’s orientation or desires that condemn us to hell, but how we act on them. Also, “apart from Christ we are all doomed.”
  • He has a twitter.
  • He was featured in an episode of “Our America with Lisa Ling” on the Oprah Network entitled “Pray the Gay Away?“
  • His Facebook page offers free access to the first two chapters of his book, Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son’s Journey to God, a Broken Mother’s Search for Hope, provided that you “like” him on Facebook. Also, one of his profile pictures features this hilarious comment from one of his fans: “Did you gain weight? Please take care of yourself to serve the Lord.”

Yale’s LGBT activist community was, understandably, less than amused by the news that Yuan was invited to speak at Yale. In a campus email that has circulated widely, Amalia Skilton ’13 highlights the harmful impact of Yuan’s ministry:

Both Yuan and his parents are frequent speakers and consultants for Exodus International, the world’s largest ex-gay organization. Exodus is best known for its outspoken advocacy of so-called “reparative therapy,” a treatment which claims to help LGBTQ people change their sexual orientation and gender identity. The American Psychological Association officially condemned this practice in 1997, calling “reparative therapy” discriminatory and homophobic.
In the same email, Skilton called for LGBTQ and allied Yalies to attend Friday’s event in order to “speak with one voice against the destructive actions of the so-called ex-gay movement.” At the same time, she emphasized that Yalies opposed to Yuan’s teachings should participate in the event “in a peaceful and non-disruptive way,” since Yuan often focuses on confrontational interactions with hostile audiences as part of his fund-raising pitch.
Of course, it’s not too late for the students who invited Yuan to call off the April 1 event. April fools?

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3 Comments

  • Perhaps Christopher Yuan does not want to take personal responsibility for his ‘promiscuity’ or his ‘drug dealing.’ Choosing instead to blame his own personal weaknesses and character flaws on his sexual orientation.

    But that he seeks to turn a profit from this reveals his true intentions.

    Yale should know better.

    Will Christopher Yuan be riding on Maggie Gallagher’s back into the venue?

    Bill at 4:36 pm on March 31st 2011

  • I can already hear the narrator for the movie adaptation for this guy’s book:

    “A gay man discovers that publicly denying his sexuality can not only reconcile him with his conservative Christian mother but also earn him stardom in the evangelical community.

    Watch as this suspiciously-too-fashionable ex-gay explains how embracing a homosexual orientation is inseparable from embracing drug-dealing, sexual promiscuity, and self-destruction.

    Watch as he celebrates a life devoid of romantic love, filled with loneliness and self-loathing.

    Watch as white, male, heterosexual Christian leaders praise this man’s efforts to bear a burden they never have and never will.

    Brought to you by the same people who have been on the wrong side of every major social issue for several generations.”

    Produced by Focus on the Family Ministries and directed by Mel Gibson

    Starring Ethan Hawke

    Jack Stacey at 10:02 am on April 1st 2011

  • Its amazing that Christian values are now the minority. I agree with Yuan. Exodus is not about reparative therapy but about encouraging those who are questioning that there is another option. The problem is that many have not shown Christ’s love in this issue, but the facts are still the facts. Homosexual practice – is sinful. Listen carefully to his points rather than assuming you know what he is saying. @Jack Stacey — the Mel Gibson addition is hilarious

    bo at 12:11 pm on April 1st 2011