Love in Action-Updates

[Joe Brummer]

From ex-gay watch
http://www.exgaywatch.com/blog/archi....html#comments
Survivor Protests 'Love In Action'

By Mike Airhart

Three Memphis, Tenn., TV stations report on a hearing Feb. 3 between Love In Action and the State of Tennessee. A survivor of the inpatient youth program LIA/Refuge spoke outside the hearing.

From WREG-TV in Memphis, Tenn.:

A 17-year old Georgia boy says he was handcuffed by his parents and brought to Love in Action in Memphis. "You can't talk to anyone, can't look anyone, can't contact anyone, except a counselor," former Love in Action client DJ Butler makes the religious ministry sound more like a prison than a counseling center for gay men and women.

"They shame you, put you down, call you stupid, you know, tell you the feelings your feeling is stupid," says Butler. ... Butler says he was given prozac during his stay. "They said they don't do that but they did it."

From WMC-TV:

Today, 17-year-old D.J. Butler walks the streets of Memphis free. That wasn't the case last October after his parents found out he was gay.

"They were treating me like they didn't want me anymore," Butler said. "I ran away. They ended up finding me, and put me in handcuffs, and taking me to Memphis."

Butler said his parents forced him to take part in the Love in Action's Refuge program aimed at teens. The program is designed to teach teens to resist gay feelings.

Love in Action says their program is welcoming and loving, but Butler said it was just the opposite.

"I was told that God loves me but he only loves me when I'm straight, not gay," he said. ...

Butler, who's now estranged from his parents, left the program after four weeks.

Video from WPTY-TV:

D.J. Butler is a 17-year-old boy who was sent to Love in Action by his parents. Butler, who ran away from the facility, says the things being done in the organization are cruel.

Butler says, "They shame you, put you down, call you stupid, tell you the feelings that you're feeling are stupid to feel that way because that's not the normal way to feel them."

WPTY reports that a federal judge ruled that Love in Action may not continue to treat anyone with mental illness.

Visit the Memphis-based Queer Action Coalition web site for periodic updates.

[Zerbie]

I visited the QAC website and found a 'blurb' about Senator Kyl from Arizona being on the LIA email list? Apparently, there is some speculation that Kyl is - somehow - in cohoots with them? But my reaction was, Why On Earth is Senator Kyl on the LIA listserve, with LIA being in Tenessee and Kyl in AZ, it makes no sense to me. What could they possibly have to do with each other?

The freaky thing about the rumor though is, Kyl is our staunchly anti-gay senator. He is a co-sponsor of the federal marriage amendment. Blech! Turns my stomach over to think he's also a supporter of this torture program! If I weren't up to my ears campaigning against our state marriage amendment, I'd campaign for his challenger, Pederson, who I don't know much about, except that he is said to be progressive. I'll take that over Jon Kyl any day!

So does anyone know anything at all about this rumor that Kyl is working with LIA in some capacity? Joe, I bet you've heard this - can you explain? 'Splain Lucy, 'splain!

[SolInvictus]

It saddens me to see how these groups continue to torture others. The APA & AMA both agree it doesn't work & sexual orientation isn't a choice; more action by the government & med/psychological org.'s need to do more to make such groups illegal. If a standard medical doctor sent a patient to such a program; he or she could be sued, stripped of his or her license, and perhaps never work again. These so-called "ex-gay" groups need to be exposed for the atroctrities they are & more public awareness of the facts.

[Joe Brummer]

Sorry Zerbie, I don't know the answer to that. Wish I did. I think this article just highlights the need for someone, somewhere to do something about that damage these groups do not only to those that participate, but gays and lesbians who are hurt by their campaigns.

Any suggestions?

[NonLemming]

What an interesting website. I'm sure that there are some people who do not want to be gay and this may or may not work for them. I did comment on their website that I hope they will place an equal, if not greater, emphasis on adultery, as I see that as much more harmful to society.

Those who are "allowed" to marry in our society and then divorce and remarry while their exes are still alive commit adultery every time they sleep with their new spouse, according to christian scripture. It's one of those convenient look-aways that we have done for so long (nudge-nudge; wink-wink).
Now, in case you are wondering if I'm beind cynical, yes, I am. I personally don't care where a person is on their journey as long as they are bettering themselves and others. BUT, don't let me hear from any bible thumper regarding the sins of my ways if they have divorced and are remarried. Heck even Jesus had a lot to say about adultery and yet said nary a word on homosexuality. Makes you wonder.