Face on Ex-Gay Billboard in Virginia Belongs to Gay Man
“It just seems like there’s no place in today’s world for an organization that is promoting this as being some kind of deviant or distasteful lifestyle, because I’ve lived my life openly gay and happy for my entire life.”
— Kyle Roux, the South African male model featured in the controversial billboard put up by Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays and Gays (PFOX) in Richmond claiming that “nobody is born gay.” Roux contacted Richmond-area affiliate NBC 12 to set the record straight about the photo used for the billboard, which was taken during a stock photo shoot nearly a decade ago. Roux called the situation “ironic,” because he’s openly gay and not a twin.
PFOX, which claims that people choose to be gay and that therapy and counseling can help combat unwanted same-sex attraction, responded to NBC 12’s request for comment, arguing that the issue is not about the use of a stock photo of Roux, but of the science supporting their assertion that sexual orientation is not genetic and can be changed. “PFOX supports the rights of everyone who wants to pursue that for themselves,” said Christopher Doyle, a licensed clinical professional counselor and former board member of PFOX who also runs the Maryland-based International Healing Foundation, which opposed D.C.’s recently passed law banning licensed therapists from practicing so-called “reparative” or conversion therapy on minors.
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