[journal] Program Rules for 'Correcting' Homosexuality	blogs & zines
Link #85887 submitted by LinusMines on Jun 10, 2005 06:10am.   (+1985XP) http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&friendID=...
Journal entries of a sixteen-year-old male who recently told his parents he was gay, just before he was involuntarily enrolled in Refuge, a two-week intensive Christian program "designed to minister to adolescents struggling with broken and addictive behaviors".     Most significant in the author's blog is a lengthly email (May 30th) containing the rules and regulations of the program (including a section on 'Parental Rules' which was inadvertently included). This link was last accessed on Comments: 31   Hits: 4889   Points: 5010   Rating: 8.6 / 14   [ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ]

... Posted by crataegus on Jun 10, 2005 06:12am I was wondering when someone would post this. There's a protest going on in Memphis, TN over this sith.

. Posted by jeblis on Jun 10, 2005 06:35am I know the whole concept of whether being gay is a choice or genetic is debated and this whole forced religious "camp" is ridiculous/cruel, but what's so controversial about these rules in particular?

RE: . Posted by crataegus on Jun 10, 2005 06:52am It's not the rules per se. This is the kid's personal blog. The disturbing part is this:     "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." --The Final Indoctrination from John Smid, Director, Love In Action (LIA), San Rafael's "ex-gay" clan.     These are the loving, caring hands this kid's parents have shoved him into.

RE: RE: . Posted by smith on Jun 10, 2005 02:56pm Except suicide is a mortal sin...sigh.

RE: . Posted by deathburger on Jun 10, 2005 07:25am I'm betting that there are both types.     Of course I could be wrong, and when Jebus comes back he's going to kick their asses. *snort*

RE: . Posted by kirbus on Jun 10, 2005 09:11am What's disturbing is how they isolate the kids from any outside contact, forbid them from discussing events even with their parents, and force total compliance with all rules, no matter how they might offend one's dignity. They are practically asking the staff to abuse these kids.

Jesus' General weighs in... Posted by crataegus on Jun 10, 2005 11:25pm Praise Jebus and Mules!

... Posted by deathburger on Jun 12, 2005 05:11am Shouldn't someone step in and stop this dangerous cult?     2. No sexual/emotional misconduct. Any temptations, fantasies, or dreams are to be presented to one¹s staff worker only. Sexual misconduct includes viewing pornography, visiting an adult bookstore, emotional dependency, voyeurism, stalking, masturbation, mutual masturbation, or any form of genital or sexual contact with another person. Sexual temptation, as well as the above, is not to be discussed between clients. This includes MI's (Moral Inventories) written on current sexual struggles or temptations).

bump Posted by crataegus on Jun 20, 2005 05:31pm according to ej of Cherry Blossom Special, this kid's gonna be kept there for 6 weeks...     This kinda stuff really makes me wanna go on a gun toting rampage to liberate these kids this weekend and drag em to ATL pride or something.

nice Posted by glitch p-udding on Jun 22, 2005 07:13pm good piece (that references lf) on this here link

RE: nice Posted by glitch p-udding on Jun 22, 2005 07:18pm another shout-out here       this is exactly what i meant when i was talking about lf's influence. i doubt we were the only source on this one, but we helped spread this around the net. and while a specific user deserves credit for posting the link, the lf community gives him the power to do it and be recognized. the lf community empowers individuals. it gives them more influence, and whether they're posting about something like this or a new zombie movie, it allows people to affect the world (at least the internet world) around them.

RE: RE: nice Posted by glitch p-udding on Jun 22, 2005 07:30pm i know the word "empower" makes me sound like i'm an inspirational speaker at your office retreat. but i think the word is appropriate. one person can post one link at lf and never come back again, but if the link is a good one, it can spread around like a virus.     of course, there are plenty of collab blogs out there, but none of them guarantee that any schmoe can submit something with no filters.

RE: RE: RE: nice Posted by deathburger on Jun 22, 2005 07:46pm And, if you buy our tapes and booklets, you too can be a sucessful Internet Mogul in as little as a week!* Just send in fifteen easy payments of $49.95 at once and we'll ship all the information you could ever need!**     * Actual results may vary, results not typical, for best results do not immerse in water for longer than five seconds   ** That, or a rubber chicken and a tophat, while supplies last, where available. Some restrictions apply

RE: nice Posted by crataegus on Jun 22, 2005 07:21pm I'm glad they're reading us, but I'm also annoyed that the official protests in front of Love In Action/Refuge (yeah, look at the initials...tell me that doesn't say it all) have ended.     I'm also annoyed that it takes a photogenic blond kid to stir up this reaction in all of us, even me. I'm just annoyed at everything today. It's that time of the month.

RE: RE: nice Posted by deathburger on Jun 22, 2005 07:47pm That Love Inaction thing is pretty sick.

Hallelujah! Posted by crataegus on Jun 23, 2005 10:52pm Teen's blog leads to outcry, charges of abuse at unlicensed facility. This may not get LIA shutdown, but I've got hope.

RE: Hallelujah! Posted by deathburger on Jun 24, 2005 01:18am Every other sane person on the planet holds the same hope too, crat.

RE: RE: Hallelujah! Posted by Anon54 on Jun 24, 2005 01:33pm Agreed. Reminds me of the Challenger camp scandals...

RE: Hallelujah! Posted by crataegus on Jun 28, 2005 04:09pm Goddammit.   Ok. I'm going out for a walk or something. I promise I'm not driving to TN.

... Posted by deathburger on Jun 28, 2005 04:12pm Again, not meant to be funny.

Do I dare hope? Posted by crataegus on Jul 1, 2005 08:34pm yeah, i think i'll hope     The state of Tennessee continues to probe Love in Action, the Memphis facility that has drawn protests since a 16-year-old known as “Zach” blogged that his parents were sending him there for treatment intended to change his sexual orientation.     The Tennessee Department of Health has sent a letter to Love in Action notifying the group that it is suspected of operating illegally, according to Andrea Turner, communications director for the department.

RE: Do I dare hope? Posted by deathburger on Jul 1, 2005 08:35pm The state of Tennessee continues to probe Love in Action If I might make the obvious joke, I hope they skipped the lube.

RE: RE: Do I dare hope? Posted by crataegus on Jul 1, 2005 08:38pm I'm hoping they're using a nutmeg grater strapped to half a lemon.

CBN features brief interview with Zach's father and says what a Good Christian™ John Smid is.. Posted by crataegus on Jul 14, 2005 01:22am Memphis Group under Fire for Trying to Transform Gays   By David Brody   Capitol Hill Correspondent     CBN.com – Can parents help children struggling with same-sex attractions turn away from the homosexual lifetsyle? One Memphis father says they can – and the city's gay community is none too happy about it.     Joe Stark did what he believed any responsible Christian parent would do. In late May, Joe’s 16-year-old son, Zach, told his parents he was gay. The Starks, devout Christians, enlisted the help of “Love in Action International,” a Memphis-based ministry that provides prevention and treatment for behaviors like homosexuality and drug addiction.     But little did the Starks know that their actions would create a firestorm among local homosexuals. In an exclusive interview with CBN News, Joe talked about his decision to enroll Zach in the “Love in Action” program, and the controversy that has followed.     “We felt very good about Zach coming here because… to let him see for himself the destructive lifestyle, what he has to face in the future, and to give him some options that society doesn't give him today,” Stark said. “Knowing that your son... statistics say that by the age of 30 he could either have AIDS or be dead.”     The Starks' story took on a life of its own when Zach began posting his thoughts on an Internet blog.     "My mother, father, and I had a very long 'talk'" he wrote, "…where they let me know I am to apply for a fundamentalist Christian program for gays… I’m a big screw up to them, who isn't on the path God wants me to be on. So I'm sitting here in tears."     “Zack has got a mind of his own, and that's a God-given gift,” Joe said. “And Zack will have to make those choices when he is an adult as to what exactly he is going to do with his life. But until he turns 18 and he's an adult in the state of Tennessee, I'm responsible for him. And I’m going to see to it that he has all options available to him.”     It wasn't long after Zach's blog appeared online that protestors began lining the streets outside “Love in Action.” They said that homosexuality is not a choice but something that comes naturally – and that Zach is being deceived by his parents and “Love in Action.”     “When you ask someone to live in a lie, it's a dangerous, dangerous slope that you're running down,” one protestor said.     But according to Rev. John Smid, homosexuals do have a choice – and his life is a perfect example. Smid is “Love in Action's” executive director, and he left the homosexual lifestyle in 1984. He's been happily married since 1988, and he wants others like him who have struggled with homosexual feelings to know that they do not have to act on their same-sex attractions.     “I just see so many people who want to discount my life,” Smid said. “My story, my life, my experience, counts. And I have found tremendous freedom from homosexuality and a deep level of change in my life that would have never occurred had I never been given the opportunity to leave homosexuality.”     Smid credits his faith in Jesus Christ for giving him the courage to leave homosexuality behind. But his stance is anything but popular among gays and their allies. Since the Zach Stark controversy began, “Love in Action” has been investigated by the state of Tennessee over allegations of child abuse. Although they were cleared of all charges, the stigma remains, and those who have followed the case closely say that's unfair.     “The child services of the state dismissed the charges,” said Mike Fleming, a local radio host. “And I frankly think that the bottom line of this is that homosexuals are afraid that this does work, and they have set out to destroy “Love in Action.” I don't think there can be any doubt about that.”     Gay groups have criticized “Love in Action's” techniques as heavy-handed. Clients are forbidden from listening to secular music, using the Internet, or wearing sexually suggestive clothing. But Joe says that's one of the program's strengths.     “A lot of things that Zach spent a lot of his time doing were taken away,” Stark said. “And I can see why they do it now. It's because, if you're not doing those things, then what are you doing? Sometime or other, you have to communicate with your family. And that's a big thing that has happened in our family – Zach is communicating a lot more with us.”     But critics say “Love in Action” doesn't work for everyone. According to one former client, the program actually helped him to embrace his homosexuality. He calls the program "unrealistic."     “Rarely in life will you ever live that closed off from the world,” Brandon Tidwell, a former client of “Love in Action,” said. “It's very, I think, deceiving, or misleading, or creates a false hope for people, to help them to create change in that very isolated environment, and then move out into the real world and try to continue to…understand themselves in a whole different way.”     Smid points out that all of “Love in Action's” clients, including Tidwell, have grown closer to their parents as a result of the program. Many came away with a better understanding of Jesus Christ as well. As for Zach, the jury is still out. But his father remains steadfast that he made the right decision for his son.     “To me it's not what's right and what's left, it's what's right and what's wrong,” Joe said. “My wife and I will stand by that 'till the day we die, as far as homosexuality is not in God's plan – it's wrong."     I guess I can't bust in commando style and liberate these kids now, because I'd be making a martyr of John Smid.

RE: CBN features brief interview with Zach's father and says what a Good Christian™ John Smid is.. Posted by crataegus on Jul 14, 2005 01:27am Incidentally, I don't know if this is the same Joe Stark as this or if either of those are Zach's father. And the only reason I'd look for an address is to write to Joe Stark and his wife and ask them to consider not psychologically abusing their son but instead taking him to church if they want him to find Jesus.

x-posted from my eljay Posted by crataegus on Aug 3, 2005 08:26pm Not that anyone cares what I have to say on this, but here's some of my mental masturbation that I just posted to my eljay.     Zach, unfortunately, is still in the center of a shit storm. EJ of Cherrybloss.org has written a far more eloquent summary of how faggots are reacting after Zach's latest update to his myspace blog. There are way too many people who, after praising Zach for "having the courage to come out and speak against what he was facing" are now complaining that he's not the savior they were looking for. Apparently, it's OK to send a quiet call out about your problems until everyone knows about your problems. When you tell em you don't want the help they're offering, you're an ungrateful shit.     He's a friggin 16 year old, and he doesn't want all the attention. Hell, I know that I'm adding to the shit storm just by writing this. Don't blame the kid for wanting to be left alone. The furor over all of this wasn't about Zach. It was about a kid being forced into a reparative therapy program. Maybe all those folks pissed at Zach should focus on that.

TN finally gets off their duffs and does something about quackery Posted by crataegus on Sep 15, 2005 02:15am LIA/R ordered to comply to state mental health treatment guidelines...

Bump Posted by crataegus on Oct 3, 2005 03:50am The original post was deleted because Zac's blog was deleted. However, I don't think this warrants a new post. LIA/R is implicating the group which protested outside while Zac was in their mental abuse cult in their shutdown. Apparently, LIA/R is suing TN. I'm wondering if by "trying to get them shutdown" they mean people like me who have actively been calling for camps like this to be shut down. I wonder if I'm gonna ge a subpoena.

RE: Bump Posted by crataegus on Oct 3, 2005 03:51am OK, it wasn't deleted...that's weird.

... Posted by deathburger on Nov 30, 2005 08:18pm bump     Any news?

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