Blog Of A 16 Year Old Sent To “Love In Action” Live-In Program Against His Will
A 16 year old named Zach in Bartlett, Tennessee recently came out to his parents who reacted by announcing they are sending him to an ex-gay live-in program called Love In Action, the same cult like program Peterson Toscano survived. How do we know all this? Zach has been writing about it on his blog found here on MySpace.com. To view Zach’s main profile click here.
On his blog Zach posts program rules given to parents that aren’t supposed to be seen by patients. There are of course several comical rules forbidding any clothing from Abercrombie and Fitch and dining at places like TGI Fridays (because there is a bar attached to the restaurant). Program rules of genuine concern to me is a clear double standard when it came to encouraging honesty, self-examination and reflection in patients. Several selected rules read:
Be honest, authentic, and real.
Absolutely no journaling or keeping a diary outside of the MI* process unless directed or approved by staff.
No discussing therapeutic issues at home. Keep conversations positive.
*[Moral Inventories, where one must keep records of sexual struggles and temptations.]
This troubles me. A participant is to be honest, authentic and real but… family visits are to be glossed over and superficial? Many people use journaling as a method of self reflection and thought. However it appears journals can only to be used to keep a “moral inventory” of sexual temptations. For a program that pretends to stress honesty and authenticity they sure discourage independent thought and discussion both with one’s self and family. Frankly don’t see how this kind of suppression of genuinely productive thought can lead to positive healing no matter what your goal.
In conclusion, Zach was scheduled to be shipped off on June 6th. His MySpace profile indicates he last logged in on the 5th. I would appreciate it if XGW readers kept me updated on any developments as you all peruse the blogosphere. (Thanks to Royi for the initial tip)
Addendum:
A blog has been set up here by a group calling itself the Queer Action Coalition and features day by day accounts of protests at Love Won Out’s headquarters.
A local news broadcast (windows media) can be found here.
Dale, no, there isn’t any other kind of christian.
If you look on Zach’s profile page, one of his school friends posted a comment last night explaining that his stay has just been extended by 6 weeks.
>>>You may have noticed John Smid quoted Ephesians 6:4 — you remember, the one about fathers bringing up children in the “training and admonition of the Lord”. No mention of what the mothers are meant to do, but I guess they’d be there to help the father do that. I suppose that’s a quote Smid thought would support the biblical right to force children to attend LIA.
But what about the next verse? Eph 6:5… the one about slaves being obedient to their bossman?
Since this is the new testament, this still applies today. Care to comment? Or are you one of those “cafeteria christians”?>>>
Well, here’s my comment:
This thread is about the Zach’s blog, not what style of christian one perceives oneself to be. However, if you want to engage me on such questions of christianity and the resultant issues thereof, you are welcome to post them on my forum under “ALL THAT”
No DL, you do not deserve me. Regan’s already tested you and your offers.This thread is not about Zach’s blog. He is just the latest example.This thread is about the way that ex-gay groups do accept unwilling clients. Even those young men and women who have reached an age of sexual emancipation.Exodus takes clients even when they are being forced. This shows that the ex-gay campaign based on “choice” is a filthy lie. Perhaps we should not be also stunnned that your first post on this thread was also based on wild assumption, a misrepresentation and rudeness.I comment at this place, not yours, and am not willing to give you any oxygen.I remain willing to know your views on biblical-based slavery.
lol, whatever.
DL, your link doesn’t work.
DL Foster Posted:
Is it morally worse to:
a) live in the “homosexual lifestyle”, or
b) tell half-truths, spread unconfirmed “facts”, repeat stories you know not to be true, and even lie?
Both are equally repugnant and repulsive to God.
I think you have numerous examples of both right here on this site.
That may be true, Mr. Foster, but I was told as a child that the worst sin was rejecting God and His Son, Jesus Christ. As the ONLY path to Christ is through the Roman Catholic Church (per the nuns’ teaching to me), I guess I should consider you, being a non-Catholic, as committing a sin far worse than either of those mentioned above.
After all, if we are going to judge one another based on whether they follow Christ’s word, we should be clear that nearly every “Christian” denomination out there is considered heretical by the very first Christian church.
Bringing this back around to LIA – The organizers of this “camp” are committing even worse sins than either being gay or lying – they are actively trying to foist their heresy on innocent children.
DL,
you said “Both are equally repugnant and repulsive to God.”
According to your above statement, God will judge you no less harshly for allowing lies, distortions, and half-truths to be spread than if you had stayed in the “homosexual lifestyle”.
Just a little thought for you when it comes time to claim “gays die sooner”, “gays want to destroy the fabric of America”, or any of Paul Cameron’s lies. You have an obligation to dispute the lies or suffer God’s judgement.
http://wftw.proboards3.com/index.cgi
(for dalea only)
I see that DL managed to take the time to leave a link to Witness Ministries but did not have time to address my comment about refuting lies.
I wonder if that means he agrees that he is personally responsible to God to oppose any deceit that is spread about by the ex-gay ministries.
Rebekah Throckmorton is not related to the person you are thinking.
Yes, we know None. Warren answered that question here at XGW.
***NEWS about LIA Documentary by poster Morgan Fox***
Screening of the Documentary
“Love in Action”
With Director Morgan Jon Fox
Deepening the Dialogue
The Evergreen State College, Lecture Hall 5
May 3, 2006 – 6:00 pm
Director Fox will show his work in progress “Love in Action” documenting the story of how a 16 year old from Memphis, TN was sent to Love in Action, a reparative therapy camp to make him straight. Follow the story of how the queer community, allies, and the media responded. Director Fox is particularly interested in expanding his work to promote more dialogue and understanding around highly charged issues – come and participate in the unfolding conversation!
Sponsors include: President’s Diversity Fund; TESC Innovation Grant; TESC Academic Programs: Information Landscape, Internships in the Public Service, Masters in Teaching, Multicultural Counseling, and Theater Intensive; TESC Academic Deans; Stonewall Youth