A national campaign to convince gays and lesbians that their homosexual conduct is "sinful" but that they can change into heterosexuals is, not surprisingly, arousing controversy.
It began with full-page advertisements in leading newspapers showing a picture of smiling men and women at a gathering of Exodus, one of many groupings trying to persuade homosexuals to convert - "ex-gay ministries" as they are known. The photograph is underneath a banner headline proclaiming: "We're Standing for the Truth that Homosexuals Can Change."
Calling for "a new national discussion of homosexuality", the ad, paid for by 15 Christian and conservative organisations, insists that experience shows that homosexuals can change with counselling and dedication to Christian values. Citing statistics that homosexual behaviour accounts for "a disproportionate number of sexually-transmitted diseases", the ad says that Christians who have taken a stand against "aggressive homosexual activism" have paid a heavy price by being called "bigots" and "homophobes".
"But all along we've had a hand extended, something largely unreported in the media. . .an open hand that offers healing for homosexuals, not harassment," the ad insists.
The Senate Republican majority leader, Mr Trent Lott, helped to inspire this campaign when he was asked recently if homosexuality was a sin. His answer is cited prominently in the advertisement: "Yes it is. In America right now there's an element that wants to make that alternative lifestyle acceptable. . . You still love that person and you should not try to mistreat them or treat them as outcasts. You should try to show them a way to deal with that."
Gay organisations such as the nationwide Human Rights Campaign are not impressed with the Christian crusade to "rescue" gays and treat them. "It's the equivalent of putting leeches on someone to cure them," comments Mr Wayne Besson of the HRC. Another HRC spokesman, Mr David Smith, says: "We are in the midst of one of the most concerted attacks on gay rights ever" directed by the groups behind the ads. "The ads start with the premise that something is wrong with homosexuality, so homosexuality must be changed."
Gays also point to the strong Republican opposition in Congress to the appointment of Mr James Hormel as ambassador to Luxembourg because of his homosexuality. Mr Hormel, a San Francisco millionaire who is also a big contributor to Democratic party funds, was nominated almost a year ago by President Clinton but cannot get a Senate hearing to confirm him.
Rev Michael Seiler, an Episcopal priest in Philadelphia who counsels those who drop out of "conversion" therapy, says that the ministries "send the message to gay young people that their sexual orientation really is a vile and dreadful thing that needs to be changed and that's destructive enough in and of itself".
But the Christian ministries point to the widely-publicised couple, John and Anne Paulk, who are happily married for six years with a 19-month-old son. John is a former male prostitute and drag queen called "Candi" and Anne is a former lesbian.
The Paulks say that changing was hard work, taking years of therapy, prayer and self-examination. But they insist they are not pushing their views on gays who might not see themselves as sinners and in need of change.
The Paulks now work for Exodus, which helps those who want to change sexual orientation. Mr John Paulk estimates that one third of gays and lesbians who try to change will stay straight but there are no official records. The co-founders of Exodus, which was founded in 1976, Mr Michael Busee and Mr Gary Cooper, ended up falling in love with each other and leaving their wives to live together. But they have remained committed Christians as members of churches that teach that God accepts them.
Professional medical associations are uneasy at the emphasis put on "conversion" by the various ex-gay ministries. Back in 1973, homosexuality was re moved from its list of mental disorders by the American Psychiatric Association, which is sceptical that therapy can reverse a person's sexual orientation.
Some of the 15 organisations backing the "conversion" of gays movement, such as the Christian Coalition, are strongly identified with the Republican party. But some Republicans facing re-election campaigns are nervous about making the crusade a political issue which could rebound.
Polls show that even conservative voters prefer tolerance on the issue of gays. This week an attempt by some right-wing Republicans in Congress to overturn an executive order by President Clinton which bars anti-gay discrimination in federal jobs was defeated with the help of Republican moderates.
The former head of the Christian Coalition, Mr Ralph Reed, who is now a much sought-after political consultant, urges Republicans to avoid zealotry. "We need to make it clear that the Republican party is trying to strengthen the traditional two-parent family, not trying to tear other people down," Mr Reed told USA Today.
Mr Ray Tafel, head of the gay Republican group called Log Cabin, said that "people may not approve of the gay lifestyle but they don't like mean-spirited bashing of any minority group".
The ex-gay ministries would say that this misrepresents their approach, insisting: "This is not a Republican issue, not a Democrat or Independent issue. It's a truth issue."
But what they call truth would certainly be disputed by gay organisations.