Convention Protest

Local activists are planning to protest a national meeting of a group that promotes reparative therapy.

By Glenn Gullickson

Local activists plan protest at convention of group that promotes reparative therapy

Local LGBT activists are planning protests when a group that promotes reparative therapy stages its annual national convention in Phoenix.

The Rev. Brad Wishon, vice president of No Longer Silent: Clergy for Justice, said he expects a couple of hundred protestors to be outside the convention hotel when the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) meets.

NARTH's conference for therapists and pastors will be Nov. 4-6 Phoenix Airport Marriott Hotel.

Wishon said the goal of his group's protest is "is to create questions for the people attending their conference, to make them question the information they are hearing."

Wishon said the Human and Equal Rights Organizers (H.E.R.O.) also will participate in the action.

According to NARTH's website, the organization "upholds the rights of individuals with unwanted homosexual attraction to receive effective psychological care, and the right of professionals to offer that care."

NARTH's opponents say the group inflicts psychological harm on people working to accept their sexual and gender identities.

As the NARTH conference starts, Wishon said his group will conduct a press conference featuring local professionals from the psychological community who refute NARTH's ideas about reparative therapy.

On the second day of the meeting, NARTH is planning a side conference providing resources for parents, clergy and what they call "strugglers." Wishon said his group will present the alternative by "mirroring on the outside what they are doing on the inside, only with the correct information."

While those attending the NARTH conference are hearing testimonials from "ex-gays," Wishon said survivors of reparative therapy will tell their stories outside. When NARTH is presenting information for churches, the protest group will hear from representatives of welcoming churches.

When those attending the NARTH convention are getting lunch on their own, members of the protest group plan to have a presence in the hotel restaurant, Wishon said. "We figure a lot of people will go to that restaurant. We can help them see the light," he said.

The theme of the NARTH convention is "Beyond Political Correctness: Keeping Clients First." Sessions will feature discussion of case studies and treatment of men and women with same-sex attraction.

NARTH was founded in 1992 and has headquarters in Encino, Calif. The group provides referrals to conversion therapists, conducts research and publishes and distributes literature.

The Phoenix Airport Marriott Hotel is located at 1101 N. 44th St., Phoenix. -E