NEWS PROVIDED BY
Church United
Oct. 29, 2019

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2019 /Christian Newswire/ -- While presidential hopefuls discuss LGBTQ rights and counseling censorship laws, Christians who have left the LGBTQ life are told they don't exist and denied supportive counseling.

Press Conference Details:

When: Wednesday, October 30, 10:00 a.m.

Where: U.S. Capitol, Area 10 (1st St. & House side)

What: Testimonies of 15 men and women who have left LGBTQ

A team of men and women who no longer identify as LGBTQ, including two Orlando Pulse Nightclub shooting survivors and two who have detransitioned, are coming to Washington, DC to tell presidential hopefuls, the national media, and politicians to stop denying their existence and protect their freedom.

Coercive proposals like H.R. 5 (the so-called "Equality Act") and H.R. 3570 (The Therapy Fraud Prevention Act) promote only one ideology and force only one lifestyle as a way forward. Men and women who have opted out of the LGBTQ lifestyle daily face hate speech, protests and discrimination simply for expressing their views or sharing their life stories. Amazon has removed their books, states have shut down their counseling options and their churches receive protests when they assemble together. Their basic human rights are being denied. For example, Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights asserts: "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance."

Elizabeth Woning, co-founder CHANGED Movement, former lesbian states:

"There is a rising force today that is eroding America's historic protections for liberty. People who have sought and successfully gained change in their sexual desires (away from same sex attraction) have always existed, but today we are being censored, and the avenues we have used for emotional health are being shut down. Our voices expose the angry and inhumane face of this dangerous ideological movement."

Ken Williams, co-founder of CHANGED Movement, former homosexual states:

"I was plagued with suicidal tendencies because I didn't want to live the life that my same-sex attraction was leading me toward. The talk therapy I received from a professional counselor saved my life. My sexual desires have changed, I have now been married to my wife for 13 years. We have four children together. I am connected to thousands through the CHANGED Movement, Freedom March, and other groups who have left LGBTQ behind. Many of us were suicidal, having experienced broken relationships, abandonment issues, and sometimes physical or sexual abuse. Bills like H.R. 5 and H. R. 3570 promote only one ideology...and force only one lifestyle as a way forward. But, many of us, oncegay, didn't find fulfillment in our homosexual relationships! Bills like these threaten our safety, autonomy, and pursuit of happiness. We do exist! Many people choose, for one reason or another, to leave an LGBTQ life behind. It is scary to imagine an America where government ideology controls a person's options...what therapy they can or cannot receive, what sexual identity they must pursue, or what religious beliefs they are allowed to follow. America is supposed to be the land of the free and the home of the brave. I hope our government leaders will not allow our super-minority to be oppressed in America."

Latin American Luis Ruiz, Pulse Nightclub Shooting Survivor, former homosexual states:

"If the 'Equality Act' and the 'Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act' become law, we will not be able to build our organization, Fearless Identity, that brings hope and understanding to the LGBTQ communities and the church through education and biblical teaching. We support a judgment-free environment for anyone that wants to seek change, and the freedom to do so without fear of retribution or lawsuits because change from LGBTQ is possible."

Jim Domen, Pastor/Founder of Church United in California, former homosexual states:

"Changing the Civil Rights Act would usurp the rights of countless Americans who are not LGBTQ or who disagree with the lifestyle because of religious beliefs. Ask any Former LGBTQ about the persecution, ridicule, and abuse they have encountered for changing previous behaviors/lifestyles in America. As currently proposed, H.R. 5, the "Equality Act" discriminates against Formers or others who practice a different sexual behavior than LGBTQ individuals. H.R. 3570 prohibits choice of therapeutic direction from a client – 'I CHOSE not to be gay and my therapists helped affirm the direction I chose toward heterosexuality' – this bill would deny anyone like myself from seeking freedom and help from licensed professionals. My wife and biological children are not frauds."

Press Conference: Wednesday, October 30. 10:00 a.m.

Location: U.S. Capitol, Area 10 (1st St. & House side)

Testimonies of 15 men and women who have left LGBTQ including:

• Angel Colon, Orlando Pulse Nightclub shooting survivor, shot 6 times (Span.)
   
• Luis Ruiz, Orlando Pulse Nightclub shooting survivor, trampled (Span.)
   
• KathyGrace Duncan, detransitioned, having lived as a man 11 years
   
• Kevin Whitt, detransitioned, former drag queen

For news conference details, inquiries or media interviews with Ken Williams, Elizabeth Woning or other former LGBTQ individuals of the CHANGED team, please contact Caleb Bogan at (530) 207-0318 or caleb@equippedtolove.com. Photos and biographies of the 15 Formers are available upon request.

CHANGED Movement is a network of men and women who have left LGBTQ subculture and identity to follow their faith. They are partnering with Church United, a California-based non-profit founded by Pastor Jim Domen— also formerly LGBTQ, that empowers pastors in civic engagement.

SOURCE Church United

CONTACT: Caleb Bogan, 530-207-0318, caleb@equippedtolove.com

Related Links

https://www.churchunited.com/

https://changedmovement.com/