CNN – Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, has come under scrutiny for his involvement in promoting “conversion therapy,” a discredited practice that aims to change the sexual orientation of gay and lesbian individuals. According to a review by CNN’s KFile, Johnson worked closely with an organization called Exodus International from 2006 to 2010, before launching his political career.
Exodus International, founded in 1976, was a leader in the so-called “ex-gay” movement, which used religious and counseling methods to try to make gay individuals straight through conversion therapy programs. The organization connected ministries worldwide, using controversial approaches. However, Exodus International shut down in 2013, and its founder issued a public apology for the pain and hurt caused by the organization.
Conversion therapy has been widely condemned by major medical institutions and has been shown to be harmful to LGBTQ individuals struggling with their sexual orientation. Despite this, Johnson, who worked as an attorney for the socially conservative legal advocacy group Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) at the time, collaborated with Exodus International and participated in an annual anti-gay event aimed at teenagers called the “Day of Truth.”
The “Day of Truth” was started by ADF in 2005 as a counterprotest to the “Day of Silence,” a day when students in schools remained silent to raise awareness about bullying faced by LGBTQ youth. The Day of Truth sought to distribute information about what Johnson referred to as the “dangerous” gay lifestyle. Johnson frequently disparaged homosexuality in various media appearances during that time, advocating for the criminalization of gay sex and even partly blaming it for the fall of the Roman Empire.
Johnson’s office has not responded to CNN’s request for comment regarding his work with Exodus International. Documents from that time indicate that Exodus International joined the Day of Truth event in 2006, and both organizations collaborated on promotional material, including a website that linked to Exodus’ conversion ministries. Videos featuring testimonials of a “former-homosexual” and “former lesbian” were featured on the website.
Those who opposed ADF and Exodus International at the time argue that the Day of Truth event was harmful to confused LGBTQ youth. Wayne Besen, the executive director of Truth Wins Out and an expert on the ex-gay industry, stated that it directly harmed LGBTQ youth, and characterized Johnson as an anti-gay and ex-gay advocate. Randy Scobey, a former executive vice president at Exodus, expressed regret over his involvement in the event, stating that it was bullying those who were trying not to be bullied.
The ties between Exodus International and ADF extended beyond the Day of Truth event. ADF had previously promoted Exodus International in promotional brochures, crediting the organization for helping thousands of individuals come out of homosexual behavior. Scobey recalled Johnson as quiet but firm in his beliefs about homosexuality.
Exodus International stopped sponsoring the Day of Truth event in 2010, citing its adversarial and counterproductive nature. Johnson’s involvement with Exodus International raises questions about his stance on LGBTQ rights and whether his past views align with his current political position as Speaker of the House. The LGBTQ community and advocacy groups continue to push for an end to conversion therapy and support for LGBTQ rights.