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June 25, 2005
Ex-Gay Facility (That Almost Claimed Me) Under Investigation, Thanks to Blogger
Unfortunately, it wasn't I that blew the whistle. But EJ Friedman from Memphis has been distributing a story about fellow blogger Zach, whose parents committed him to a purported "ex-gay ministry" Love In Action in Memphis.
This is the degayification therapy my parents tried to send me to a couple years back (around the same time I stopped going to Covenant...). Fortunately, I was legally old enough to say 'no.' I shudder to think what might have happened to me. If I had even survived--not that they would have cared. The organization's director, John Smid, said, "I would rather you commit suicide than have you leave Love In Action wanting to return to the gay lifestyle. In a physical death you could still have a spiritual resurrection; whereas, returning to homosexuality you are yielding yourself to a spiritual death from which there is no recovery."
Yeah, that makes sense. In other words, he doesn't want anyone exposing the crock that this institution is.
After this story spread like wildfire around the blogosphere--and finally to the Associated Press--thanks to the machinations of Friedman, comedianne Margaret Cho, and others, allegations of child abuse prompted the State of Tennessee to launched an investigation into Love in Action.
A spokesperson from the Tennessee Department of Health said that she assumed Love in Action would have to have some kind of licensing from the state, but according to Gov. Bredesen's office, they lack any license from the Depts. of Health, Mental Health, Human Services, Child Services or Education. More information at exgaywatch.com if you're interested.
The Queer Action Coalition is holding a protest outside LIA's headquarters Monday. I wish I was going to be back home in Memphis. My heart absolutely bleeds for the poor kids that are forced to go to this kind of "therapy," which, by the way, has been condemned by nearly every medical association in the nation, including the American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Counseling Association, American Association of School Administrators, American Federation of Teachers, American Psychological Association, American School Health Association, Interfaith Alliance Foundation, National Association of School Psychologists, National Association of Social Workers, and National Education Association....
You get the idea. Of course, some of the most scathing critique of their program comes from their own founder, John Evans, who left LIA after his friend Jack MacIntyre committed suicide after failing to "turn straight." Evans was quoted in the Wall Street Journal in 1993 as saying, "They're destroying people's lives. If you don't do their thing, you're not of God, you'll go to hell. They're living in a fantasy world."
Unfortunately, LIA is going to try and dodge these allegations, claiming untouchable status as a religious organization. Hmm, that reminds me of another story...Jesus! Save us from the atrocities we commit in your name!
Purple Line | By Tyler | 09:21 PM
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