People Can Change

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People Can Change is a nonprofit organization[1] for men who want to "reduce or eliminate their homosexual desire." The organization also hosts weekend retreats for these men. It is composed of men who are said to "have successfully transitioned out of unwanted homosexual attractions and increased their heterosexual identity, feelings and behaviors."[2] Their mission is "to offer other men who seek similar transformation a pathway of healing, by providing information, training, coaching and support."[2] It has online resources, online groups, and an experimental weekend. It is a signatory member of the coalition Positive Alternatives To Homosexuality, a coalition of 10 major ex-gay organizations seeking to support those with unwanted homosexual desires.[3]

People Can Change was created in 2000 by Rich Wyler, based on his own experience with reparative therapy.[4] In an interview with Warren Olney, Wyler explains the purpose of the group is to help men find peace and fulfillment in their lives. While he admits that may mean living as a homosexual for some men, he says that others have found fulfillment in celibacy or in a heterosexual relationship.[5]

Contents

[edit] Weekend retreats

Journey Into Manhood is an experimental weekend put on by People Can Change aimed at helping men overcome unwanted homosexual desires. It takes place in various parts of the US and the UK.[6] It uses a variety of techniques, including visualizations, group sharing and emotional-release, based on the creators' personal experience and time with reparative therapy, but makes clear that the group is non-professional peer counseling.[7] The concepts used in this retreat were presented at the 2003 NARTH Conference on Homosexuality: Current Trends in Research and Therapy[8] The most common reason for attending these retreats was the desire to heal emotional pain.[9] Some ex-gay organizations promote these weekends on their websites.[10] In 2007, Evergreen International made it the topic of their workshop Experiential Weekends - Are They Right For Me?[11]

For Cory Larsen, finding the People Can Change website was an answer to prayer.[12] He said that going to Journey into Manhood was difficult because it "meant learning to accept that part of myself."[12] The weekend addressed feelings of inadequacies as a man, which Larsen believes shapes his attraction to men.[13] Before going to the weekend, Larsen's main goal was to change his sexual orientation because it had been a source of shame. Since then, his goal changed to one of growth and progress and living consistently with his Christian faith.[12]

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ PEOPLE CAN CHANGE INC - Ruckersville, VA 22968 - PO BOX 412 - NonProfit/Tax Exempt Organization
  2. ^ a b People Can Change homepage. Retrieved on 2007-10-01.
  3. ^ "Diverse Coalition Forms to Support People Seeking 'Non-Gay' Alternatives to Unwanted Homosexuality", Marketwire, July 2003. 
  4. ^ Bulkeley, Deborah. "Ex-gay man says change possible: But reparative therapy remains controversial", Deseret Morning News, 2004-08-13. Retrieved on 2007-10-01. 
  5. ^ Olney, Warren To Be or Not to Be...Gay To the Point, KCRW, March 3, 2007
  6. ^ People Can Change - An alternative, healing response to unwanted homosexual desires
  7. ^ Journey Into Manhood: A Healing Weekend Hosted by People Can Change. NARTH (2006-04-20). Retrieved on 2007-10-01.
  8. ^ Matheson, David A LPC, Four Principles of Growth NARTH Conference on Homosexuality: Current Trends in Research and Therapy. 2003
  9. ^ Survey Reveals Why Some 'Same Sex Attracted' Men Seek Change Christian Newsire, July 13, 2006
  10. ^ International Healing Foundation and North Star
  11. ^ 17th Annual Evergreen Conference
  12. ^ a b c Larsen, Cory Larsen describes his recent expriences with reparative therapy. Multimedia portion of Luo, Michael Some Tormented by Homosexuality Look to a Controversial Therapy New York Times Feb 12 2007
  13. ^ Luo, Michael Some Tormented by Homosexuality Look to a Controversial Therapy New York Times Feb 12 2007