LEF Speakers Bureau Member Mary Lou Wallner

LEF has worked closely with Mary Lou Wallner, who was featured in the award-winning documentary “For The Bible Tells Me So.” Based on a narrow interpretation of the Bible, Mrs. Wallner rejected her lesbian daughter when she first came out. After Wallner’s daughter committed suicide, Mary Lou became a strong advocate for equality. LEF sponsored multiple community outreach events for her around the country. Here’s part of an email from Mrs. Wallner after a speech in Northern New York:

“Just wanted to let you know that last night at SUNY Potsdam was absolutely AMAZING!!! It was exactly the kind of "happening" that Dan Karslake (the film’s director) created FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO for. There were at least 75 people in the small auditorium, and many were conservative Christians, and the hour long discussion after the screening of the film was nothing short of wonderful. There was SO much interaction between the GLBT kids (and adults) and a conservative pastor….we sat back and listened some of the time, but were often put ‘on the spot’ and were thankful for the answers that came.”

To book Mary Lou Wallner to speak to your church or community group, please call (202) 371-2974.

LEF Scholars Bureau Statement on "Gay Cure" Developments

In response to the news of the emerging rift in the so-called “ex-gay” movement and Exodus International President Alan Chambers’ declaration that there is no “cure” for homosexuality, Liberty Education Forum Scholars Bureau member Jack Drescher, M.D. made the following statement:

“According to recent news accounts, the leadership of Exodus International is no longer claiming that people can change their sexual orientation from gay to straight (or even to ex-gay). This is welcome news and consistent with mainstream clinical research which shows that most people who try to change their sexual orientation are unsuccessful and some are even hurt in the process of trying,” Drescher stated. “Religious individuals who are struggling with or conflicted about their same-sex feelings deserve our compassion and respect. Toward that end, they are best served when provided with accurate information about human sexuality and the limits of change, not with false hope and unfulfillable promises. If this approach is the new direction in which Exodus International is heading, they are to be both congratulated and encouraged in this endeavor.”

LEF Exclusive interview with Rev. Dr. Mel White

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LEF Announces the First Family to Join Its Speakers Bureau

Liberty Education Forum, a non-partisan think tank that advocates a message of gay acceptance to conservatives and people of faith, today announced that Randi, Philip and Jacob Reitan will join its growing Speakers Bureau. The announcement marks the first time a family (mother, father and son) has joined the Speakers Bureau of LEF.

“Issues of fairness and equality for gay and lesbian Americans are being discussed with intensity and passion around the country, and I’m proud my husband Philip and son Jacob will join me in being a part of the discussion in collaboration with Liberty Education Forum,” Randi Reitan stated. “We’re so proud of our son Jacob—his activism started the day he came out to us. He was the first out gay person we really knew. He educated us. He led us. Now, we hope to lead others to the same place of compassion and acceptance.”

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LEF Statement on Rutgers Verdict

Liberty Education Forum has issued the following statement in the wake of the verdict finding Dharun Ravi guilty of invasion of privacy and anti-gay intimidation in the suicide of Tyler Clementi:

“Because of the inconsiderate actions of one person, one young man is dead, another young man who once held so much promise is now heading to prison, and two families are in mourning,” said Liberty Education Forum Executive Director Gregory T. Angelo. “All of this could have been avoided if there was a greater sensitivity toward gay and lesbian Americans—a sensitivity that begins at home and carries into schools. We look forward to the day when no one will be held up for mockery for being gay; until that time, Liberty Education Forum will continue to work with diligence to spread a message of gay acceptance across the country. If the Rutgers verdict has taught us anything today, it’s that there are no winners when bullying is involved.”