Fresh from a TV appearance on the popular Daily Show with John Stewart, author, columnist and activist Wayne Besen comes to Falls Church this Sunday to speak on the subject of his award-winning book, “Anything But Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Movement.” The free event, sponsored by the Falls Church News-Press, will be held Sunday, March 25, at 3:30 p.m. in the Falls Church Community Center, 223 N. Little Falls St.

Besen will also discuss the non-profit organization he heads, “Truth Wins Out,” that “counters disinformation campaigns, debunks the ex-gay myth, and provides accurate information about the lives of gay and lesbian people.”
 Besen is one of the nation’s foremost experts on the false and damaging claims and efforts of the religious right’s “ex-gay” ministries. He has documented how they destroy lives and family unity by creating false expectations that lead to anger, depression and hostility when they cannot be realized. He has spoken to over 100 universities, churches, business groups and community organizations on the topic.

A graduate of the University of Florida, he worked for the Human Rights Campaign and the Edelman Public Relations agency before launching his own non-profit and writing efforts. His weekly column, “Anything But Straight,” appears weekly in the Falls Church News-Press.

Following Sunday’s forum, he will appear as a special guest in Falls Church at a fundraiser to support the Falls Church School System’s “Diversity Affirmation Education Fund,” supported entirely by private contributions to bring anti-bullying and pro-diversity programs to the City’s public schools. That will be held at the home of Stacy Hennessey (of Stacy’s Coffee), 610 Poplar Dr. It is open to anyone who wishes to make a contribution of any amount and will feature musical entertainment by students at George Mason High School.

For more information, contact the Falls Church News-Press at (703) 532-3267.