The basis of the report released on Thursday by the Siskiyou Abolition Project and Siskiyou Rising Tide comes from a pamphlet passed out at the Set Free Ministry sometime around 2018. The pamphlet, titled 鈥淪ame Sex Attraction: The Problem and Solution for Men鈥�, was one of a series of issue pamphlets created by Celebrate Recovery, focused on what it calls the issue of 鈥渟ame sex attraction,鈥� outlining why the issue is wrong, and providing guidance for recovery groups on how to talk about it. Celebrate Recovery is a Christian 12-step program founded in the 1990s in Southern California.
Such treatments are more commonly known as conversion therapy, where a therapist, pastor or group of individuals attempt to change a person鈥檚 sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
Conversion therapy can be extremely damaging and harmful, especially when practiced with young people. from the American Journal of Public Health, 13 to 24-year-old LGBTQ individuals who took park 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 Washington D.C.
鈥淚t鈥檚 just really clear that conversion therapy is a devastating practice that really harms LGBTQ people,鈥� says Derek DeForest, a member of Siskiyou Rising Tide who helped prepare the report.
DeForest says for Set Free Ministry to use Celebrate Recovery materials, known for its history of , the church and pastor McComas are actively promoting conversion therapy themselves.
But according to Pastor McComas, his church hasn鈥檛 used Celebrate Recovery materials in several years.
鈥淲e haven鈥檛 even had Celebrate Recovery in our church for years, so it鈥檚 not anything current,鈥� McComas says. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 even know where they got that. It must be from years ago.鈥�
McComas says the pamphlet on same sex attraction wasn鈥檛 promoted more than any other materials. 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. When asked about how this belief might conflict with his work helping homeless individuals in the Rogue Valley, McComas says he doesn鈥檛 let his personal beliefs interfere with his work or his personal interactions.
鈥淲hen it comes to Rogue Retreat, they don鈥檛 have those beliefs,鈥� McComas says. 鈥淲e鈥檙e there just to help the homeless have a safe place to be and get the help they need. We鈥檙e not there to judge them or tell them what kind of behavior they should have.鈥�
In a statement released by Rogue Retreat on Thursday, the nonprofit denied it advocates for McComas鈥� religious beliefs on behalf of guests.
鈥淩ogue Retreat is not a faith-based organization and does not promote or support conversion therapy nor do we require any religion affiliation for services.鈥�
According to DeForest, McComas鈥� religious beliefs could affect Rogue Retreat and create a space that鈥檚 unsafe for LGBTQ folks experiencing homelessness. 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 500 beds.
鈥淚 think groups like Rogue Retreat have taken a stronghold,鈥� DeForest says, regarding why there aren鈥檛 LGBTQ-focused homeless shelters in the area. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e the ones getting all the public money right now in the valley.鈥�
On Friday the City of Medford responded to the report, calling for the Rogue Retreat board of directors to conduct a full investigation into the advocacy groups鈥� allegations.
鈥淎ll of these programs are established through Operational Agreements that contain non-discrimination provisions in an effort to ensure that all community members have access to these services,鈥� the City鈥檚 statement reads.
Until the investigation is complete, the city is withholding the $11,550 grant allocated from its general fund in 2021 for various services at Set Free Ministry including the food pantry and showers.
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.
Rogue Retreat and Set Free Ministry are separate entities, but the two organizations share personnel and services like use of the church's shower trailer, according to the City.
DeForest says the report shines a light on the possible dangers that come with having religious homeless services organizations in the region, and the possibility of conflicts of interest between the founder鈥檚 personal beliefs and the organization鈥檚 mission.
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.
