The evangelical church fighting for
repeal of a gay marriage law in Coahuila, Mexico pointed to its
claims of helping people alter their sexuality as proof they love
gays.
Cristo Vive Saltillo (Christ
Lives Saltillo) is known for lending a helping hand in rehabilitating
the lives of former prisoners and addicts. It raises money to run
its Rescue House by selling burritos on the city streets.
The organization became the target of a
boycott on social media after it organized a march in the tens of
thousands through the streets of Saltillo, the capital and largest
city of Coahuila, demanding lawmakers reverse course and reinstate
Coahuila's former definition of marriage, which excluded gay couples.
(Related: Thousands
protest start of gay marriage law in Saltillo, Mexico.)
Pastor Carlos Pacheco Ortiz responded
to critics at a press conference where he introduced several young
people who say the church helped them alter their sexuality.
“We cannot scientifically, socially
or educationally change the model [of marriage],” Ortiz said. “And
that's why so many people are upset, specifically some groups. But I
respect them and I love them.”
“And if I didn't love that group of
people with a different sexual orientation, these 12 young men who
have been freed from homosexuality wouldn't be here, and the lady who
was freed from lesbianism, and other lady was also freed from
lesbianism,” he said pointing to a group of young men and women
seated to his left wearing t-shirts adorned with the Cristo Vive
logo.
One of the women said that she had been
deceived by the Devil.
“When you do those things you feel
dirty, you feel empty and incomplete,” she
said.
One of the men testified that before
God drove out the “homosexual spirits” from his life he was lost
walking the streets “like he was a woman.”
The men and women said that being gay
or lesbian had led them to prostitution, drugs and abusive
relationships.
“Since we arrive at the Rescue House
and met God our lives have changed, and we can assure you that we are
now free from homosexuality, alcoholism and drug addition,” they
said.
(Related: Mexican
bishop claims allowing gay couples to marry will lead to man-dog
unions.)