People Can Change

People Can Change is a nonprofit organization [ [http://www.taxexemptworld.com/organization.asp?tn=358769 PEOPLE CAN CHANGE INC - NonProfit/Tax Exempt Organization] ] 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."cite web |url= http://www.peoplecanchange.com/whatispcc.htm|title= People Can Change homepage|accessdate=2007-10-01] Their mission is "to offer other men who seek similar transformation a pathway of healing, by providing information, training, coaching and support." 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. [cite news |title= Diverse Coalition Forms to Support People Seeking 'Non-Gay' Alternatives to Unwanted Homosexuality|publisher= Marketwire|date= July 2003|url= http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_pwwi/is_200307/ai_mark337292201]

People Can Change was created in 2000 by Rich Wyler, based on his own experience with reparative therapy. cite news |first= Deborah|last= Bulkeley|title= Ex-gay man says change possible: But reparative therapy remains controversial|url= http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,595084123,00.html|publisher= Deseret Morning News|date= 2004-08-13|accessdate=2007-10-01] 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.Olney, Warren [http://www.kcrw.com/news/programs/tp/tp070301the_stock-market_sel To Be or Not to Be...Gay] To the Point, KCRW, March 3, 2007]

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. [ [http://www.peoplecanchange.com/JIM_announce.htm People Can Change - An alternative, healing response to unwanted homosexual desires ] ] It uses a variety of techniques, including visualizations, group sharing and emotional-release, based on the creators' personal experience and time with conversion therapy, but makes clear that the group is non-professional peer counseling. [cite web |url= http://www.narth.com/docs/weekends.html|title= Journey Into Manhood: A Healing Weekend Hosted by People Can Change|accessdate= 2007-10-01|date= 2006-04-20|publisher= NARTH] The concepts used in this retreat were presented at the 2003 NARTH Conference on Homosexuality: Current Trendsin Research and Therapy [Matheson, David A LPC, [http://www.narth.com/docs/matheson.pdf Four Principles of Growth] NARTH Conference on Homosexuality: Current Trendsin Research and Therapy. 2003] The most common reason for attending these retreats was the desire to heal emotional pain. [ [http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/32496518.html Survey Reveals Why Some 'Same Sex Attracted' Men Seek Change] Christian Newsire, July 13, 2006] Some ex-gay organizations promote these weekends on their websites. [ [http://www.gaytostraight.org/calendar.htm International Healing Foundation] and [http://northstarlds.org/ssa_resources.php North Star] ] In 2007, Evergreen International made it the topic of their workshop "Experiential Weekends - Are They Right For Me?" [ [http://www.kawadesign.com/eg/2007/#fri10b 17th Annual Evergreen Conference ] ]

For Cory Larsen, finding the People Can Change website was an answer to prayer.Larsen, Cory [http://podcasts.nytimes.com/podcasts/2007/02/10/20070212_group_part2.mp3 Larsen describes his recent expriences with reparative therapy] . Multimedia portion of Luo, Michael [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/12/nyregion/12group.html Some Tormented by Homosexuality Look to a Controversial Therapy] New York Times Feb 12 2007] He said that going to Journey into Manhood was difficult because it "meant learning to accept that part of myself." The weekend addressed feelings of inadequacies as a man, which Larsen believes shapes his attraction to men.Luo, Michael [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/12/nyregion/12group.html Some Tormented by Homosexuality Look to a Controversial Therapy] New York Times Feb 12 2007] 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.

ee also

*Conversion therapy
*Homosexuality

References

External links

* [http://www.peoplecanchange.com PeopleCanChange.com]