Alan Chambers of Exodus. Photo courtesy of Oprah Winfrey Network.

Exodus International, a ministry that claimed prayer and psychotherapy could cure gay men and lesbians from being attracted to the same sex, will cease operations, according to this New York Times article.

The group’s president Alan Chambers had become more vocal in saying there was no cure for homosexuality and the therapy did not work.

Tonight on Our America with Lisa Ling on the Oprah Winfrey Network (10 p.m./9 p.m. Central) survivors of so-called “reparative therapy” will confront Chambers, who has apologized for the pain and hurt the ministry caused.

Chambers and the staff of Exodus International should have listened to social workers years ago.

The National Association of Social Workers issued a position statement in 2000 that warned so-called “reparative therapy” did not work and could actually cause severe emotional damage.

NASW’s statement read in part:

Specifically, transformational ministries are fueled by stigmatization of lesbians and gay men, which in turn produces the social climate that pressures some people to seek change in sexual orientation . No data demonstrate that reparative or conversion therapies are effective, and in fact they may be harmful.

Social workers are committed to equal treatment for all, including members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. To learn more visit the National Association of Social Workers “Diversity and Equity” website.