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August 16, 2000
Will & Grace Slams People of Faith
Editor’s Letter Mocks Ex-Gay Men and Women
Colorado Springs— A major television network recently launched a vicious assault on a specific minority group of Americans.
NBC, in its sitcom "Will and Grace," ruthlessly denigrated the thousands of men and women who have successfully left homosexuality.
NBC’s weekly comedy show "Will & Grace" ridiculed the men and women who comprise the growing ex-gay movement. In the episode that aired May 2, Jack, one of the main characters, goes to an ex-gay meeting hoping to seduce its leader. His hopes turn to success as the ex-gay meeting proves to be a hypocritical sham with gay men and women there only to find dates. The 30 minute show went on to denigrate ex-gays referring to them as "freaks," "self loathing closet-cases," "morally wrong," and members of "cults."
In response, Mike Haley, a former gay man now a youth and gender specialist for Focus on the Family, wrote to NBC producers asking them to consider the real-life struggles of ex-gays and the deeply-held convictions of those who believe change is possible. He asked producers to consider meeting with him to "put a real face behind the caricature depicted on prime time TV."
Will & Grace’s Executive Story Editor, Jon Kinnally, replied to Haley’s genuine request in an unbelievable manner saying, "In response to your request for a meeting, well, I think I can read between the lines on that one. I’m about 6’1", brown hair, green eyes and I’m into rollerblading, baking cookies, and cleaning up afterwards. My dislikes include game-playing, negative attitudes, and condoms. . . . I do hope you show, because like you, I am an expert on homosexuality, and in my expert opinion, this ‘hard-to-get’ thing you’re playing is Hot, Hot, Hot!"
He further admitted, in a conversation with a Family News in Focus reporter, that "our intention was only to make them (ex-gays) look like idiots." He charged that, "What you people (Focus on the Family) are doing is reprehensible, wrong, and fear-based."
Kinnally stated that while the initial letter sent to Mike Haley was intended as a joke, a more serious reply would be forthcoming. It has been a full month since the first response—Haley has never received the promised letter.
"This producer’s comments prove how open-minded he is," said Mike Haley. "While he certainly has the right to his personal opinion, his flippant and disrespectful response to my serious request for dialogue points out his intolerance and contempt for those who do not want to be homosexual. My letter represented the concerns of thousands of men and women who, like me, have left homosexuality. Our testimonies are not a joke and the issues we have courageously faced are no laughing matter.
"Focus on the Family will continue to reach out to hurting homosexuals who desire change through our counseling, resources and national Love Won Out seminars. We, who have experienced it, know that change is possible and that God’s love knows no boundaries, covers all sins, and heals all wounds."
Source: Focus on the Family News Release