Gay community braces for Oklahoma City conference encouraging gays to go straight

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- A visit from a religious group that encourages gays to turn straight is stirring up the city's close-knit homosexual community.<br><br>Focus on the Family is holding a conference

Monday, October 20th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- A visit from a religious group that encourages gays to turn straight is stirring up the city's close-knit homosexual community.

Focus on the Family is holding a conference in Oklahoma City on Saturday to show gays how to abandon the lifestyle.

Conference speakers include two ex-gays who say walking away from homosexuality is possible and healthy.

About 200 gay advocates plan to stand across the street from the Colorado Springs-based organization's conference, holding signs saying "Diversity Now" and "God Loves Gays and Straights."

The local gay community is not worried the conference will stall Oklahoma City's progress toward acceptance.