Orlando City Commissioner Vicki Vargo personally issued the proclamation, stating that city council input or permission is not needed. Neither the mayor nor any other city council member were aware of Vargo's Exodus proclamation.

The proclamation was issued for Exodus International's 20th annual conference held recently in Orlando. Exodus Spokesperson Mike Haley praised Comm. Vargo for her proclamation, noting that "this has never been done in any city in the nation." He further said that, "this is truly a city that's willing to show tolerance."

According to Exodus, "through belief in the Lord Jesus Christ there is the ability to walk away from homosexuality." Critics, including the American Medical Association and the American Psychiatric Association, contend the Exodus directive to "pray away the gay" not only doesn't work but is harmful.

Openly gay City Commissioner Patty Sheehan says Exodus didn't work for her. She said she was offended by the city proclamation, as a gay person and a city commissioner. Sheehan compared Vargo's pro-Exodus proclamation to a pro-KKK proclamation.

When asked how the proclamation differed from an earlier proclamation by Mayor Dyer for Gay Days, Sheehan responded that city proclamations should, "celebrate our citizenry, not discriminate."

Sheehan further stated that she feels the entire city council should have to vote on future city proclamations. [primary source- Channel 2 News, WESH-TV]

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