Exodus Official Resigns over Antigay Junket in Jamaica

Exodus International board member Dennis Jernigan has resigned after Truth Wins Out reported Wednesday night that he had breached the organization’s commitment against efforts to criminalize gay people.

Here’s the Exodus announcement. We’ll comment further shortly.

Orlando, Fla. — Exodus International, the oldest and largest Christian ministry dealing with homosexuality, released a new policy statement on the criminalization of homosexuality. While the ministry has long held this perspective, they felt compelled to release a written statement in light of Exodus Board Vice Chairman, Dennis Jernigan’s, comments to the media in Kingston, Jamaica. Exodus board member, Don Schmierer, experienced a similar collision with the media on a trip to Uganda in 2009.

“Dennis Jernigan recently traveled to Jamaica to share his testimony and lead worship at a number of venues,” said Alan Chambers, President of Exodus. “While there he was thrust into a media firestorm and asked to comment on President Obama’s threat to issue sanctions against Jamaica for their laws concerning the criminalization of homosexuality.

“Dennis shared his belief that President Obama is deceived about homosexual behavior and the biblical morality of it. Dennis assured me he is not for the criminalization of homosexuality, and he will release his own statement on this matter. However, Jernigan offered this immediate response ”:

“I believe my heart and intent were misconstrued and therefore, may have harmed Exodus’ mission of ministering to those struggling with same-sex attraction (SSA). To that end, as of this moment, I step down as Vice Chairman of Exodus.”

Here is an excerpt of the Exodus policy statement, also supported by its Board of Directors.

We will not support any legislation that deprives others of life and dignity based on their sexual orientation or the expression of such within the confines of a consensual adult relationship. Finally, we stand with the LGBT community both in spirit, and when necessary, legally and physically, when violence rears it’s head in Uganda, Jamaica or anywhere else in the world.

Chambers is working with the Exodus International Board and staff to craft strong statements, policies and procedures that will ensure their position on life-impacting issues such as this one.

“It is our resolution that unfortunate incidents like this do not happen again in the future,” said Chambers. “As president of Exodus International I take full responsibility for any board member, staff member or ministry affiliate’s ignorance of global issues, especially as they travel. I will make it a priority to keep all who are professionally affiliated with Exodus apprised of the nations where legislative initiatives or laws clearly violate our policy opposing criminalization of homosexuality. We will also craft a policy for our ministry that prohibits our involvement with groups and nations that violate our policies.”

'I Want To Marry My Gay Partner' - St James-Based Lesbian Says Marrying Her Lover Would Be A Dream Come True

Adrian Frater, News Editor

(photo selected randomly)

Western Bureau Gleaner:

Buoyed by the recent lesbian nuptial re-enactment in Silver Sands, Trelawny, one member of a local same-sex couple has declared that she wants to get married in Jamaica.

Montego Bay-based lesbian model Adrienne Simpsontold The Sunday Gleaner she would love to have even a token marriage to her partner.

Simpson, whose modelling career has taken her into countries that embrace same-sex unions, says she is eyeing this token marriage and will not allow the Jamaican law to be a "shackle" to her plans.

"I am in a relationship with someone who is giving me love, kindness and all the support I need," said Simpson.

"I have been with men and none of them has shown me the love and respect I am now getting," added Simpson.

Despite her pronouncement, Simpson admits that sometimes her conscience bothers her.

"I know it is not accepted in Jamaica but this is someone I want to spend the rest of my life with," said Simpson.

"Sometimes my Christian upbringing chips in and my thoughts waver, but deep down this is the life I want."

'Token weddings' common

According to Simpson, same-sex 'token weddings' are becoming quite common in Jamaica without attracting much fanfare and publicity.

"This is something that is happening regularly in Jamaica these days. I know several persons who have done it and are living happily. In many instances, these lovers operate similarly to the traditional husband and wife … one goes out to work and the other stays home and does domestic duties," added Simpson.

In the case of the Silver Sands mock nuptials, the 'bride' and 'bride', Jamaica-born Nicole Dennis-Benn and her American partner Dr Emma Benn, reportedly got married in New York, where such unions are legal, and merely came to Jamaica, where there is general intolerance to gays, to re-enact what had taken place overseas.

But many persons, including prominent church leaders, have condemned the recent mock nuptials at Silver Sands as an assault on the Christian way of life and saying they are not prepared to allow gay marriages locally.

"This is something that is not pleasing to the Church as it goes against our teaching, which sees marriage as a union between a man and a woman," said Canon Justin Nembhard, the head of the St James Parish Church in Montego Bay.

"It is illegal … in Jamaica. Marriage is not a union between any two people; it must be between a man and a woman," said Nembhard. "This kind of thing is not the norm and is not something you would expect to see in a Christian country."

Not allowed in Jamaica

Like Nembhard, prominent Montego Bay-based lawyer Nathan Robb has noted that regardless of how close the event at Silver Sands mirrors real nuptials, based on the Jamaican law, no marriage officer could legally perform such a wedding.

Robb also dismissed the notion that a marriage officer from a jurisdiction where same-sex marriage is allowed could come to Jamaica and perform such a ceremony legally.

"That individual (overseas marriage officer) would have to obey the Jamaican law once he comes into our jurisdiction," said Robb. "Once it is taking place in Jamaica, the Jamaican law must be observed and the Jamaican law is clear on marriage … there is no ambiguity."

Legal minds have also noted that Simpson and her partner could never get legally married in Jamaica as Section 18(2) of the new Charter of Rights of the Jamaican Constitution defines marriage as a "union of one man and one woman".

Name changed on request