I am writing today to announce the closure of the Michigan Messenger. After four years of operation in Michigan, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news into a single site, The American Independent at Americanindependent.com. This is part of a shift in strategy, towards new forms [...]
An abstinence-only presentation provided to numerous school districts in Calhoun and Eaton Counties in October of this year provided false and misleading information to students about HIV, experts allege.
Two county registers of deeds filed a class action lawsuit Monday on behalf of Michigan’s 83 counties alleging that the Mortgage Electronic Registration Services owes millions of dollars in property title transfer taxes.
Despite evidence of the impact of mercury on children and public health, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette last month joined with 24 other state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to scuttle new EPA regulations that would reduce mercury emissions from power plants.
LANSING — The American Psychological Association has released a new report, “Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation,” which repudiates ex-gay therapy programs. Such programs have been the source of much controversy, including a recent national conference on the subject in Grand Rapids.
From the report:
The limited published literature on these programs suggests that many do not present accurate scientific information regarding same-sex sexual orientations to youth and families, are excessively fear-based and have the potential to increase sexual stigma.
The report also concludes that many who have gone through the ex-gay therapy programs “described their experiences as a significant cause of emotional and spiritual distress and negative self-image.”
That is not news to Patrick McAlvey of Lansing.
The 24-year-old gay man entered into therapy at age 19, he said, with Mike Jones of Corduroy Stone, a referral ministry of Exodus International, where he was subjected to hour-long hug therapy, ranking of his attractiveness, and questions about the size of his genitals. To hear McAlvey’s story in his own words, check out this youtube video.
“The APA report confirms what I know from my personal experience – attempts to change a person’s sexual orientation are dangerous and don’t work,” McAlvey told Michigan Messenger. “It is my hope that this report will lead people to avoid ‘ex-gay’ ministries and not fall for their distortions and lies as I sadly did.”
This is not the first time Corduroy Stone has been the subject of controversy. Michigan Messenger reported in March 2008 that the group had been using Michigan State University server space to host its website. The website was later forced off of the university’s servers.
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