Ex-gay group loses charitable status

The Australian and New Zealand branch of the world’s largest ex-gay ministry has been denied charitable status by the New Zealand Charities commission.

The organisation, Exodus Asia Pacific, a branch of the Exodus Global Alliance (formerly Exodus International) had been registered as a charitable organisation in New Zealand since 1991. It had to reregister in 2008 after new regulations governing charities were passed in 2007.

In making its application to the commission, Exodus Asia Pacific, registered as the Exodus Ministries Trust Board, explained its goals were to teach that deviations from heterosexual marriage such as homosexuality were “morally wrong”, to counsel homosexuals to live a Christian life so they might be healed and released from homosexuality, and to counter the message that homosexuality was innate.

The commission noted the weight of expert opinion indicated that homosexuality was not a condition that could or needed to be cured so the above could not be determined to be a public good.

It also found the organisation was engaged in activities beyond the scope of “advancing religion” by which religious groups derive a charitable status. It declined the organisation charitable status on the grounds that its purposes were not exclusively charitable.

“The Applicant has failed to meet an essential requirement for registration as a charitable entity,” the commission concluded. Exodus Asia Pacific, which is headquartered in Banyule, Victoria, solicits donations through its website.

The NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby would like to see the organisation’s charitable status removed in Australia as well.

“We’re opposed to the organisation as a whole,” GLRL convenor Kellie McDonald told Sydney Star Observer.

“Obviously we don’t think their aims are worthy of a charitable status or that they’re a valid organisation.”

We’d encourage Australia to take the same approach that New Zealand has taken and remove their status as an organisation given charitable status.McDonald said the Lobby was not aware if there were mechanisms under Australian law whereby this could be sought.

She said she hoped the federal Government’s plans to shake up the $43 billion not-for-profit sector, announced before the election, might produce a charities regulator with appropriate powers.

“The concept of giving charitable fund status to an organisation whose activities are based on outdated beliefs and rejection of modern scientific research is abhorrent,” former ex-gay and co-founder of Freedom 2 b[e], Anthony Venn-Brown told Sydney Star Observer.

“Ex-gay style programs don’t bring healing and release from homosexuality. They cause more harm by making people feel bad for who they are.”

“I’ve worked with hundreds of people who have been through Exodus-styled programs. Many found being in an ex-gay program was detrimental to their mental health and increased thoughts of suicide. True healing begins when they find resolution through acceptance of their same-sex orientation and leave the group.