About Us

Evergreen International is the most complete resource for Latter-day Saints who experience same-sex attraction. Evergreen is a nonprofit corporation that offers help to people who want to diminish their attractions and overcome homosexual behavior. It is also a resource to their loved ones, professional counselors, religious leaders, and friends.

Evergreen is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but we sustain the doctrines and standards of the Church without reservation or exception. Our Board of Trustees usually includes one or more emeritus General Authorities and we continue to build relationships with Area Presidencies and other Church leaders. Upon request, we provide training to hundreds of stake and ward leaders each year.

Evergreen International, Inc. is not directed by any public or private mental health-care agency or individual, nor does it claim to have any professional training or licensing. Evergreen is not a clinical therapy program and assumes no liability for any individual's emotional or physical well being. Any information provided on this Web site or by us in other communications is for the purpose of providing what we believe to be accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is provided with the understanding that Evergreen International, Inc. is not engaged in rendering clinical, therapeutic, or other professional service. If clinical or therapeutic advice is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought

Mission Statement

Evergreen is founded on the belief that the atonement of Jesus Christ enables every soul the opportunity to turn away from all sins or conditions that obstruct their temporal and eternal happiness and potential.

Evergreen attests that individuals can overcome homosexual behavior and can diminish same-sex attraction, and is committed to assisting individuals who wish to do so.

Evergreen provides education, guidance, and support to those involved in the transition from homosexuality, and is available as a resource to family, friends, professional counselors, religious leaders, and all others involved in assisting individuals who desire to change.

Evergreen sustains the doctrines and standards of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints without reservation or exception, but is not affiliated with the Church. Evergreen welcomes all people who wish to participate in the pursuit of these goals.

What Help Does Evergreen Offer?

Evergreen focuses on the following three priorities: referrals, resources, and education.

Referrals

Evergreen provides referral information on support groups, therapists, and other organizations available in your area. Our computer database is the world’s largest listing of resources that can help in the area of same-sex attraction. Experience shows that individual counseling is critical to overcoming problem areas that might otherwise go unresolved. Only licensed professionals who adhere to Evergreen's philosophy are included on our list.

Thousands of people contact us by phone, e-mail, or through the Web site. E-mail messages are answered either in English or Spanish.

We have over 50 affiliate support groups for men, women, spouses, friends, and family. Most are in the United States, although a growing number are in other countries. We maintain contact with group leaders, assist developing groups, and provide guidelines and support materials. Click here for a list of the groups.

Resources

- Printed information. We provide over a thousand information packets yearly and sell more than 1,500 books and other materials each year. See the bookstore. We also have other materials in 20 languages, most of which appear in the language pages of this Web site. Contact the office to obtain printed copies. If you have the skills to translate, review, or proofread other languages, please let us know. We also publish a newsletter, The Journey, six times a year. We also publish other written and audiovisual materials. We are always looking for articles and ideas, as well as the help of qualified editors and graphic artists.

- Web site. The Web site gets more than 100,000 hits a year. It provides a wealth of information about overcoming same-sex attraction, including current events and personal testimonies. You can order books and other educational materials on the site. The content of the site is being translated into Spanish, Portuguese, French, and German.

- Independent writing. We encourage independent writing in magazines and books, and have assisted individuals get many books published in both English and Spanish.

- Library. Evergreen is the home of the Dr. Charles W. Socarides Memorial Library, a collection of nearly 500 books, articles, research papers, and audiovisual materials. We encourage people to donate items and to use it for individual study and research.

Education

- Conferences. Evergreen sponsors an annual conference in September in Salt Lake City, Utah, with world-renowned speakers. These conferences are attended by about 500 men and women strugglers, therapists, church leaders, and family and friends. Click here for information about the next conference.

- Seminars and firesides. We also present regional seminars and workshops throughout the year as needed. Firesides featuring local and national speakers are held every few months in Salt Lake City and in other areas. Check the Web site often for current events.

- Speaker's bureau. We maintain a list of people who are available to speak at group meetings, workshops, or Church meetings.

- Training for Church leaders. Our Board of Trustees usually includes one or more emeritus General Authorities and we continue to build relationships with Area Presidencies and other Church leaders. Upon request, we provide training to hundreds of stake and ward leaders each year. If your ward or stake would like our assistance, please contact us.

- Training for Therapists. Evergreen offers training for professional counselors and organizations. Contact us for more information, or see the Center for the Study of Gender-Affirmative Therapy.

What We Stand For:

We support personal choice

Many people who experience same-sex attractions (SSA) choose not to act on those feelings and not to embrace a gay identity. In many cases, they also choose to affirm and develop their heterosexual desires and pursue their dream of raising a family. We respect and affirm their choice.

We support the individual's right to know

We do not seek to force our viewpoint on anyone, to tell others what they "should" do, or to shut down others' voices. We do work to raise awareness of alternatives to living a homosexual life–alternatives that many have found to be positive, life-affirming, and congruent with their values, morals and beliefs. We support freedom of information.

We support client self-determination

Individuals conflicted over their same-sex attractions have the right to decide whether to seek counseling or therapy, what kind of counseling to seek, to be made aware of all alternatives, and to determine the desired direction of their own therapy program. Professional organizations should enhance rather than inhibit the client's right of self-determination.

We advocate tolerance

Individuals who have transitioned out of a former gay identity and lifestyle, or who choose to pursue alternatives to homosexuality, deserve tolerance and acceptance. Their choices should not subject them to discrimination, ridicule, marginalization, or make them the target of hate speech or accusations of homophobia. Demands for tolerance by one group can never justify intolerance or ridicule of another.

We advocate policy neutrality

All branches of government should avoid actions or decisions that would inhibit free speech about, or the practice of, freely chosen alternatives to homosexuality. Of particular concern are laws regarding hate crimes and sexual orientation that may be construed to make it illegal to promote or even speak about alternatives to homosexuality.

We claim equal access to public forums

We claim equal access to public forums to state our viewpoint, share our experience, and to raise awareness of alternative responses to a gay identity and lifestyle. This is particularly vital in cases where public schools address the issue of sexual orientation.

History

In the summer of 1989 in Salt Lake City, Utah, a group of eleven met to organize Evergreen. Believing that homosexual practices are not in keeping with the gospel of Christ, these individuals were frustrated with their experience in other organizations. They concluded there must be a solution other than destroying spiritual beliefs or denying sexual longings.

The next spring, this small group sponsored a conference to publicly attest to their belief and hope. The conference received national and international media coverage, and group members were invited to appear on the Phil Donahue Show, Larry King Live on CNN, and various local television and radio programs. This prompted public debate over the possibility of growth out of same-sex attraction. It also inspired interest in those who felt the truth of the principles promoted by Evergreen, and participation grew even more.

Support groups were formed for men and women struggling with homosexuality. Groups were also formed for spouses and for family and friends of those struggling. In 1992, the name Evergreen International was adopted as the name of the organization.

From this small group, Evergreen has grown to an international organization with affiliates in locations throughout the United States and in many other countries. Click here to see a list of affiliates.

Organization

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees is the governing body of Evergreen International, Inc. Their responsibility is to see that the organization is run in a professional manner on the corporate level. They do not usually become involved in the affairs of individual participants or affiliate units. Members of the board include current and former participants in Evergreen, mental health-care professionals, business leaders, and others.

Administrative Staff

The staff has the responsibility to support the work of the organization, provide for support activities to meet the needs of individuals within the organization, handle public relations, plan events (such as conferences and seminars), develop and distribute publications, conduct research and development, and develop and co-ordinate volunteer work (upon which the organization heavily depends). The Executive Director oversees all staff and administrative functions.