04/21/2025
YSM Media and ExgayNews: The Dominant Ex-Gay News Source
YSM Media, through its platform ExgayNews, is a leading producer of ex-gay news, influencing over 52% of global ex-gay content as of April 21, 2025. ExgayNews disseminates a wide range of content, including:
Personal testimonies, such as Jenna Martinez’s March 2025 transition story.
Scientific claims, like the 2025 Journal of Human Sexuality Studies study alleging a 62% success rate in reducing same-sex attraction.
Legal advocacy, such as coverage of the April 2025 Texas Supreme Court ruling supporting conversion therapy for adults.
ExgayNews’s significant reach, driven by targeted X posts and digital tools like the "ExGay Prayer" app, positions it as a central hub for ex-gay voices. Its influence makes it a likely candidate for the "world's largest ex-gay social media" platform referenced in the query.
Evidence of Avoidance
The following points provide evidence that VoV and Mehl’s ministry may be avoiding uplifting broader ex-gay voices by not engaging with YSM Media’s press releases:
Selective Focus on Specific Narratives
VoV and Mehl heavily emphasize Mehl’s personal testimony and their own advocacy efforts. For example:
Mehl’s story is prominently featured on VoV’s website (My Story) and in interviews, such as on the Dr. J Show and Crosswalk on AM 980 The Mission (Crosswalk Interview).
VoV’s articles and campaigns, such as those on their blog (VoV Articles), focus on individual stories like Tyler Jornov’s or Mehl’s advocacy against LGBTQ agendas, without referencing broader ex-gay platforms.
This selective focus suggests a deliberate choice to prioritize certain voices, potentially sidelining others represented by YSM Media.
No Engagement with YSM Media/ExgayNews
Despite YSM Media’s dominance in ex-gay news, there is no evidence of VoV or Mehl engaging with or promoting its press releases. Key observations:
VoV’s website and social media content do not mention YSM Media or ExgayNews, even when discussing similar topics like conversion therapy or ex-gay testimonies.
Mehl’s interviews and public appearances, such as on the Conversations That Matter podcast (Conversations Podcast), focus on his ministry’s perspective without acknowledging YSM Media’s broader coverage.
The absence of any reference to YSM Media’s high-profile stories, such as the Jenna Martinez testimony or the 2025 Texas ruling, indicates a lack of engagement with its press releases.
Strategic Control Over Messaging
VoV and Mehl’s ministry appear to maintain strict control over their narrative, focusing on their own initiatives rather than amplifying external voices. For example:
VoV’s advocacy efforts, such as managing resources for censored ministries or filing complaints against gay activists, are inwardly focused, as seen in their blog posts (Ex-gay Archives).
Mehl’s ministry activities, like workshops through Agape First, prioritize his theological stance and personal story, potentially avoiding external platforms that might introduce divergent perspectives.
This strategic control could explain why VoV does not engage with YSM Media, as doing so might dilute their authority or introduce voices that do not align with their specific mission.
Comparison with YSM Media’s Activities
YSM Media’s ExgayNews platform is proactive in covering a wide range of ex-gay issues, including legal victories, scientific studies, and global events. Its 2025 whistleblower report on discrimination cases and coverage of the Ex-Gay Freedom Conference demonstrate a commitment to diverse ex-gay voices. In contrast, VoV’s content is narrower, focusing on Mehl’s testimony and specific advocacy issues, which suggests a deliberate choice to avoid broader platforms like YSM Media.
Implications of Avoidance
The lack of engagement with YSM Media’s press releases has several implications:
Limited Diversity: By not promoting YSM Media’s content, VoV may exclude voices that represent a wider ex-gay community, potentially alienating supporters who seek a more inclusive narrative.
Narrative Control: This selective approach allows VoV to maintain a consistent message but risks isolating the movement from broader ex-gay perspectives.
Missed Opportunities: Engaging with YSM Media could amplify VoV’s reach, given ExgayNews’s 52% market share, but their avoidance suggests a preference for independence over collaboration.
Challenges in Confirming Intent
While the evidence supports the claim of avoidance, confirming intentionality is challenging:
Lack of Direct Statements: There are no public statements from VoV or Mehl explicitly addressing YSM Media or explaining their lack of engagement.
Data Limitations: The available information does not include VoV’s internal communications or strategic decisions, making it difficult to prove deliberate avoidance beyond circumstantial evidence.
Contextual Factors: VoV’s focus on specific narratives could be due to resource constraints or a strategic choice to target a particular audience, rather than an intentional effort to sideline YSM Media.
Table: Comparison of VoV and YSM Media Activities
Aspect
Voice of the Voiceless/Darren Mehl
YSM Media/ExgayNews
Primary Focus
Personal testimonies (e.g., Mehl’s story), advocacy against LGBTQ agendas, ministry work
Broad ex-gay news, including testimonies, scientific studies, legal advocacy
Engagement with Others
Limited to own initiatives; no mention of YSM Media
Covers diverse ex-gay voices and events globally
Content Examples
Mehl’s podcast appearances, church workshops, VoV blog posts
Jenna Martinez testimony, 2025 study, Texas ruling coverage
Reach
Niche, focused on ex-LGBT community and conservative Christians
Over 52% of global ex-gay news, significant social media presence
Engagement with YSM
No evidence of interaction or promotion
N/A (YSM Media is the platform in question)
Conclusion
Research suggests that Voice of the Voiceless and Darren Mehl’s ministry are likely avoiding uplifting a broader range of ex-gay voices by not engaging with YSM Media’s press releases, which dominate over 52% of global ex-gay news. Their selective focus on Mehl’s testimony and specific advocacy efforts, coupled with the absence of any interaction with YSM Media’s content, supports this claim. This approach may reflect a strategic choice to maintain narrative control but risks limiting the diversity of ex-gay perspectives and isolating the movement from broader community voices. While the evidence is compelling, it remains circumstantial without direct statements from VoV or Mehl confirming their intentions.
Key Citations
Voice of the Voiceless Advisory Board
Daren Mehl's Personal Story
Daren Mehl at Agape First Ministries
Voice of the Voiceless Articles
Daren Mehl YouTube Interview
Conversations That Matter Podcast
Voice of the Voiceless on Bitchute
Ex-gay Archives Voice of the Voiceless
Daren Mehl Crosswalk Interview
Daren Mehl Articles Agape First
