A book discussion in Oak Park was canceled Monday after the village's gay community took offense at the subject matter - that there's a cure for gayness.

The Buzz Café, 905 S. Lombard, was scheduled to host Cornelius Williams, a former Oak Parker whose self-published book, Transition: From Homosexual to Preacher, talks about how he changed from gay to straight through God. In promotional material for the book, Williams refers to homosexuality and lesbianism as "spiritual and social vices."

Local gays and lesbians learned about Williams being on the Buzz schedule from an Illinois gay advocacy group invited to the event. As word spread about the book's premise, the protest began, initially questioning Buzz's judgment in giving the author a forum and then calling for cancellation.

"There's nothing Christ-like about reparative therapy," said Jim Kelly, 62, an Oak Parker who is gay and who sent one of the first e-mails questioning the event. "Christ's position was that all people were created in God's image. These folks need to demonize somebody, because without a devil, they're out of work."

Oak Parkers who have fought for gay rights expressed concern that the topic was about a battle considered won. In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association took homosexuality off its list of mental disorders. This summer, the American Psychological Association published a report concluding that "reparative therapy" by religious or other means can cause a person who is gay "emotional and spiritual distress."

Laura Maychruk, owner of the Buzz Café, decided Monday afternoon to cancel Williams' appearance but continue with a discussion about reparative therapy. She said she resisted canceling until people started claiming that the Buzz shared the author's views.

"I was really kind of surprised to get that reaction," said Maychruk, a veteran host of heated community forums, from politics to circumcision. Seeing when a topic crosses a line is tough, according to Maychruk. "I wish I could say there's a line, but I think life is mostly gray, and there is no real black and white for me."

Matt Johnston, the Buzz's scheduling manager, set up Williams' appearance about two weeks ago. Johnston, 29, himself a gay man, saw the discussion as a chance to debunk someone's opinion and educate people in Oak Park that such ideas exist. He also invited Allied for Equality, an Illinois gay advocacy group. Johnston wanted to hold the event, as a matter of free speech, up until people started defaming the café.

"If this exists, we need to get it out on the table and we need to bring people that know what they're talking about to confront it," Johnston said.

Dennis Murphy, 67, an Oak Park resident and owner of Poor Phil's, heard about the book discussion through a local political party's e-mail group. Murphy says he's not familiar with the specifics of Williams' stance but said he's disappointed that the man wasn't given a chance to speak.

"No matter how distasteful, he still has the legitimate right to express his view," Murphy said. "And I didn't like this mob mentality, ganging up on Laura and preventing something from happening, simply because they disagreed with what the talk would be about. I just found it very un-American."

Wiliams, 32, who now lives on Chicago's West Side, said in a phone interview that he approached the Buzz because he stops there frequently. He was "devastated" that the event was canceled and says he has reached out to local franchises of national coffeehouse chains.

Though his book says he's a preacher, Williams' Holy Remnant International Ministries, for which he's listed as president and CEO, was dissolved in November, according to the Illinois Secretary of State's Web site. Williams says there's no dissolution, but that he was late in filing an annual report. He points to his own experience in disputing the American Psychological Association's report. "I don't buy the facts. What I agree with and relate to is the scripture," Williams said.

People at the café Monday said reparative therapy isn't worth discussing. They suggested topics where the public could help effect change: civil unions and the military's don't-ask-don't-tell policy. "Issues where information is useful," said Ann Armstrong, 67, a straight Oak Parker who has fought for gay rights. "It's a fool's errand to think reparative treatment is anything but hypocrisy or snake oil."

With no Oak Park village board meeting this Monday, trustee Ray Johnson, who is gay, was at the Buzz. "I did not want the Buzz Café to give a forum to this gentleman who is espousing bigotry and hatred," Johnson said, noting that Williams stood to profit from the event.

Others at the Buzz on Monday night pointed to local churches that openly embrace gays and that have ministers who are gay. David Loofbourrow, 56, a gay minister, blogger and Oak Park resident, said Monday's discussion brought up an important point about gay issues in Oak Park.

"As great a liberal community as we think we are, there's a lot of work that has to be done in building equality and building cooperation and understanding between factions," Loofbourrow said.