Inspired by the positive impact of Dan Savage’s ‘It Gets Better’ YouTube campaign, many celebrities, politicians and even the President himself have created videos promising a better future for LGBT youth struggling with bullying and discrimination due to their sexual orientation. Last week’s highly publicized Google Chrome ad showcasing the campaign featured many a familiar face – including one in particular that spurred criticism from members of the Christian ministry group Exodus International.
The New American reports that Alan Chambers, a spokesman for Exodus International, recently told the Christian Post that the campaign aimed at protecting LGBT youth from crippling depression, anguish and possible suicide is in fact sending the wrong message to young people struggling with homosexuality – particularly when delivered by childhood icons like Toy Story’s earnest animated cowboy Woody.
According to Chambers, whose work with the ministry group involves counseling homosexual youth away from a gay lifestyle, “it obviously didn’t get better living a gay life.” What does work, he insists, is a rejection of homosexuality in favor of faith in God.
Upon seeing Woody “co-opted” on behalf of LGBT support, Chambers argued that “children all over the world, including my two children, are fans of Toy Story, and to see a character like that endorsing something that at this point children have no need to know about, it’s disappointing.”
Chambers told the Post that it is important for the church to “promote the stories of people who have found an alternative to homosexuality” and do “a better job at addressing issues related to bullying and violence” in response to broadening pro-LGBT campaigns like the ‘It Gets Better’ videos.
