It's a Sunday and most people are at church. I know, I know.
Ironically enough, I used to be a frequent church-goer as a child - and way into my teenage years. Taught Sunday School, led hymns even gave one sermon. I wore a suit and tie often, carried around my Bible and even spread the Word of God to fellow school mates in and out of school. What happened, you ask? Nothing happened, I just realized the truth. God created me as I am, and he loves me as I am. He made me who he wanted to be. I've said this many times before, I didn't wake up one day when I was four years old and say, "I think I want to be Gay today".
It's people like the author of this book that terrify me. And I'm sorry to say this, but most Christians & Republicans believe in this manner. No, I'm not sorry - most Christians & Republicans DO believe this way.
Earlier this month, PFOX (Parents and Friends of Gays and Ex-Gays) and the Family Research Council submitted a brief that states that gays and lesbians shouldn't be a "protected class" under the law because homosexuality is something that can be changed or corrected. So to show evidence, they provided this children's book. I about threw up.
Alfie’s Home was published in 1993 by Cohen’s International
Healing Foundation. [Image Excerpt Source]
The book starts with a picture of the protagonist on a
boat with his dad.
But it goes bad fast, going right for the right-wing myth that homosexuality is caused by childhood sexual abuse…
…and by insufficiently attentive parents:
Eventually, Alfie seeks help and takes part in the “touch therapy” advocated by Cohen…
…which leads him to “realize that I’m not gay” and start dating a woman:
Oh and by the way, I was raised by two loving parents who were both excellent teachers and the most amazing people in the world. They taught me to cook, clean, change the oil, work on farm, write, read and most importantly love. And while some gay boys are molested as children and teenagers, most are not. So to hell with this author - along with the images and story he's trying to convey.