ANP extension
ANNOUNCEMENTS•
For victims of ‘gay sex’ a fulcrum opened. The initiative was launched by the Wijdekerk Foundation, an organization of Christians who are themselves LGBTI or who feel involved in this group.
People who want to tell about their experiences with so-called conversion practices can contact the support center. These are therapies that attempt to change people’s sexual orientation or orientation.
In the Netherlands there are about fifteen therapists and organizations involved in this, it was discovered in 2020 Research. It’s hard to say how many people undergo these conversion practices, says Kees Goedegebuur of the LKP, the umbrella organization of Christian LGBTI people. “This happens in an informal and personal environment,” he explains.
Listening ear
At the support center people can talk to experts from experience. “We are not psychologists, but we can listen,” says one of the initiators, Alexander Noordijk. “We can also make a postponement if needed.”
The LKP is positive about the new support centre. “We welcome any initiative that offers help,” says Goedegebuur. “And I sincerely hope that’s not necessary.”
Break through the hymen
The initiator Noordijk, a pastor and homosexual, came out of the closet in the early 2000s. He was then a student at the Evangelical Theological College in Veenendaal and Doorn. Someone from the ecclesial community then said that he should be prayed for.
They prayed up to three times, Noordijk says. “It was intense. I had to imagine breaking a hymen, like being reborn. Then I’d be straight.”
This did not happen and Noordijk is now convinced that God loves him as he is. Because his faith in God has not disappeared. “It’s not him, but I have problems with his ground crew.”
The cabinet frowns on conversion practices, but leaves the lead for a ban in the House of Representatives. D66, VVD, PvdA and GroenLinks have announced that with a invoice will come to forbid it.
