Celebrate Recovery is a Christian step program founded in the 90s in Southern California. Conversion therapy can be extremely damaging and harmful, especially when practiced with young people. According to a study from the American Journal of Public Health, 13 to year-old LGBTQ individuals who took part in conversion therapy were twice as likely to report having attempted suicide.
Almost all major medical groups including the American Psychological Association, the World Health Organization and the United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights have denounced the practice which suggests that homosexuality is a mental illness, and should be treated as such. Conversion therapy for minors is banned in Oregon, California, and 13 other states, as well as Washington D.
DeForest says for Set Free Ministry to use Celebrate Recovery materials, known for its history of promoting conversion therapy , the church and pastor McComas are actively promoting conversion therapy themselves. It must be from years ago. He says they came with a series of issue pamphlets from the California organization available at the church.
When confronted by DeForest at a housing and homeless summit outside the Jackson County Expo on Thursday, McComas said he believes homosexuality is a sin according to the bible. Rogue Retreat is the largest shelter provider in the Rogue Valley, operating 12 homeless shelters in Jackson and Josephine counties, with a combined capacity of over beds.
McComas acknowledged the possible appearance of religious influence at Rogue Retreat because he runs the Set Free Ministry and because a shuttle bus regularly takes guests to the church in Medford. But he says those services are not to proselytize but to give guests access to a shower trailer in the church parking lot. According to McComas, his personal beliefs are kept out of his work at Rogue Retreat, and he says their programs remain open and inclusive to all who need help.
