The council listened to almost an hour of public comment from people either opposed to or in support of Rogue Retreat, which houses 550 homeless people a night at various facilities.
Set Free and Rogue Retreat share some personnel, and some community members have alleged the conversion therapy at Set Free has bled over to Rogue Retreat. McComas is pastor of Set Free Ministry, which has been criticized for allegedly allowing pamphlets to be passed out that endorse “conversion therapy,” which attempts to transform gay or transgender people, sometimes referred to as “pray the gay away.”Ĭity grant funding to Set Free, which operates showers and other facilities for the homeless, has been put on hold. “You have a right to access these services just like everybody else,” said Eric Mitton, city attorney.Ĭhad McComas, executive director of Rogue Retreat, has been placed on paid administrative leave while an investigation delves into whether the LGBTQ+ community has been treated unfairly by his organization or at his church.
Medford City Council Thursday night unanimously approved a contract with Rogue Retreat to operate a homeless center in Medford despite allegations of anti-gay bias against the organization’s executive director.Ĭity officials said they would ensure LGBTQ+ members would be treated equitably at the homeless Navigation Center. The building is expected to open in July. Medford City Council approved a contract Thursday for Rogue Retreat to run the homeless Navigation Center on Market Street.