Attempts To Become Straight
Leads To Heartbreak And Divorce

'Ex-Gay Groups Love To Spotlight The Wedding Photos,
But They Never Show The Divorce Papers,'
Says TWO Executive Director Wayne Besen

TRUTH WINS OUT UNVEILS VALENTINE'S VIDEO SHOWING
HOW ATTEMPTS TO BECOME STRAIGHT THROUGH MARRIAGE
LEADS TO HEARTBREAK AND DIVORCE

by Wayne Besen
Feb 14, 2007

Miami Beach, FLA. - Truth Wins Out today unveiled a Valentine's Day video that shows why right wing attempts to pressure gay people into "reforming" through marriage destroys families in the name of family values and usually leads to divorce.

"Ex-gay groups notoriously pressure gay people into heterosexual marriage by parading happy wedding photos," said Truth Wins Out Executive Director Wayne Besen. "Unfortunately, they never show people the divorce papers, which paint a more realistic picture of these doomed marriages. Ex-gay groups often have little regard for the spouses and children and treat them as collateral damage in their their zeal to prove that you can pray away the gay."

Truth Wins Out's new video was released on YouTube and featured a Mormon couple, Barbara and Lester Leavitt, who are ending their marriage after 25 years, having raised four children together. Although Lester always knew he was gay, his church and society sent the message that homosexuality was just a phase that could be overcome through marriage. He fought mightily to be the perfect husband and father, but two years ago he could no longer live a lie and came out to his family.

While Barbara was shocked by his revelation, she always knew deep down that her husband was harboring a secret. She now believes that attempts to coerce or pressure gay people into marriages are terribly misguided and unfair to the unsuspecting spouse.

Despite all the family has been through, Barbara supports her husband. Even though they will soon be divorced, she says his honesty has brought them closer together. Although she is still in pain, Barbara believes that the joy coming out has brought Lester is the perfect Valentine's gift.

If you are gay and Mormon, please contact www.Affirmation.org.

If you are a spouse in need of support, please visit www.straightwives.com.

Another resource is a book by Carol Lynn Pearson, "No More Goodbyes" -- www.clpearson.com.

Wayne Besen is a nationally recognized advocate for gay and lesbian rights. He has appeared as a guest on leading news and political talk shows including: NBC Nightly News, The Roseanne Show, CNN's Talk Back Live and The Point, Fox's O'Reilly Factor and Hannity and Colmes, Fox News and MSNBC News.

Truth Wins OUT is a non-profit organization that counters right wing propaganda, exposes the "ex-gay" myth and educates America about gay life.