05/06/2008
Remember MySpace Zach who was sent away to 'Ex-Gay' Camp?
Those of you who have read Towleroad for a while may remember the story of 16-year-old Zach Stark, the teenager who made headlines back in June 2005 when he announced on his MySpace blog that he had told his parents he was gay and they were sending him to the Christian fundamentalist "ex-gay" therapy "Love in Action" camp in Memphis, Tennessee. Zach's story was followed closely that year through his release at the end of July.
For the first time, in some pre-release footage from the feature-length documentary This Is What Love In Action Looks Like we hear from Zach, now older.
Watch the clip, AFTER THE JUMP...
Previously
"Love in Action" [tr]
Zach's Father Speaks Out [tr]
Zach's Release from "Love in Action" Imminent [tr]
(via box turtle bulletin)
Posted 8:22 AM EST by Andy Towle in "Ex-Gays", News, Tennessee | Permalink
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You know, I've spent the morning tearing here at my desk...this is really an awesome testament to where we are as a culture, that a voice in the wilderness can be heard - and that people join hands and help.
Then, I come here and people seem to be missing the point. Perhaps these are the same people who bemoan the loss of Gay Ghettos and the death of Gay Bars...
*sigh*
Or maybe the English Majors in audience are feeling uppity. Or I need to go for a walk.
Anyway - I cried, it was great.
Posted by: Papa Tony | May 6, 2008 3:14:32 PM
He's my age and he stole my facial hair. Luckily my parents believe most religious are a crock of shit (they support the concept of believing in God, and having faith, but they think the religious leaders such as the Pope, and the stupid limitations established religions have put upon their believers, is stupid and bullshit).
This is child abuse, plain and simple. All programs such as this, if the child is forced against their will into a program which is so detrimental to the mind and psyche, should be outlawed on the principle that it is child abuse.
Posted by: Mateo | May 6, 2008 6:43:25 PM
So is he still a 'Mo or not? I remember following this so (too?) closely and then it all died down, but no one knew if he resisted or became one of LIA's "success" stories. He needs his privacy, but all I ever wanted to know about him was if he survived.
Morgan, did you ever show a version of this movie at The Evergreen State College? I remember seeing a documentary about this whole fiasco a couple years ago there.
Posted by: Brandon H | May 6, 2008 7:28:34 PM
BRANDON:
Hey...yea, I had a brief residency at Evergreen in 2006 mainly documenting one of Mutki Khana's courses, talked to several classes, and screened a "preface" version of the film which followed the protests and news coverage. I had such a great time there. Met some really really awesome people. A time that i'll never forget. Small world.
Posted by: Morgan Fox | May 6, 2008 8:35:59 PM
He came out to his parents on the same exact day I did, in the exact same year. I was a freshman in college. I waited those two extra years...
Posted by: Barto | May 7, 2008 2:03:09 AM
First lesson of creativity: when you want to make a point, understate it. You don't need a sledgehammer.
Posted by: Jimbo | May 7, 2008 6:11:01 AM