SILVER SPRING, MD – Over 80 religious leaders, mental health professionals and other Montgomery County residents held a press conference and vigil on Saturday, June 10 outside Immanuel's Church in Silver Spring, to express their concern about a local conference to "prevent homosexuality" by promoting dangerous and psychologically damaging conversion or "ex-gay" therapy.

"The American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association and every other mainstream medical and mental health professional organization have made clear that so-called conversion therapy may cause a great deal of psychological harm and distress to young people and their development," Equality Maryland Executive Director Dan Furmansky said.

Speakers included:

• Delegate Gareth Murray (D-Montgomery County), a Baptist clergy member and mental health professional
• Dr. Lise Van Susteren, a psychiatrist and Montgomery County resident
• Robert Rigby, Jr., a survivor of "conversion" therapy
• Stephen Eckstrand, PFLAG father
• Dan Furmansky, Equality Maryland Executive Director

"We know from other similar events around the country that these conferences can be demonizing and also propagate the view that LGBT people must choose between their Christian faith and their own God given sexuality," said Christ Congregational Church Associate Minister Sandy Dodson, who hosted the gathering. "Youth deserve to know the facts about sexual orientation, and also the truth that they can find a welcoming spiritual home without 'changing' their sexual orientation."

Delegate Gareth Murray addresses the crowd as concerned supporters look on.

Equality Maryland convened the vigil together with leaders of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, the National Black Justice Coalition, Teach the Facts, and Christ Congregational Church United Church of Christ, Silver Spring. Co-sponsoring groups included the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN), the Mautner Project, and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.