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Wayne Besen
PO Box 25491
Brooklyn, NY 11202
AUTHOR WAYNE BESEN PRAISES TENNESSEE FOR TAKING STRONG ACTION AGAINST 'EX-GAY' BOOT CAMP
Every State In The Nation Should Shut Down Unlicensed 'Ex-Gay' Groups That Harm Clients, Said Wayne Besen
NEW YORK - Wayne Besen, author of Anything But Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth, today applauded the state of Tennessee for ordering ex-gay group Love In Action to comply with state guidelines or be shut down for operating two unlicensed facilities. If the ex-gay group does not follow state rules by Sept. 15, the Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities will issue a cease and desist order.
"Tennessee sent a strong message that Love and Action is not above the law," said author Wayne Besen. "This dangerous and dysfunctional group should be held accountable and expected to adhere to professional standards like other mental health facilities in the state. Tennessee is rightfully and responsibly protecting its citizens from unscrupulous and unlicensed practitioners posing as genuine mental health professionals. I urge every state in the nation to look at their local 'ex-gay' groups to determine if they meet basic mental health guidelines."
The state of Tennessee released the following statement:
"DMHDD staff met with Mr. John Smid, Executive Director of Love In Action, on August 19, 2005. Based on the meeting, it was determined that Love In Action is operating two unlicensed mental health supportive living facilities in Memphis.
In accordance with DMHDD's licensure procedures, a certified letter was sent to Mr. Smid. The letter dated August 23, 2005, stated licensure staff's determination that Love In Action was operating two unlicensed facilities. The letter further stated that he must stop operating the homes within seven (7) days of receiving the letter, or apply for a license within the same time period.
The Department's Office of Licensure determines the seven day period based on the date the organization receives the letter. This is verified by return receipt from the Post Office. Licensure did not receive a return receipt from the post office, so another letter was sent Thursday, September 8th. If Mr. Smid does not respond by September 15th, licensure staff will revisit Love In Action, to determine if the agency is still operating the two homes. If the homes are still operating, licensure will recommend to the Department's Commissioner that a cease and desist order be issued to Love In Action, in accordance with DMHDD Licensure Law."
In May, 16-year old Zach told his fundamentalist Christian parents that he is gay. Horrified by the news, they vowed to fix him by sending him to Love In Action's "ex-gay" boot camp in Memphis to be reprogrammed. The young man blogged about the incident and it made national news.
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23 Comments:
Praise the Lord they finally closed that awful shithole down!
As a former homosexual, I think Love In Action should remain open to help people. This is Christian pursecution. The state doesn't want people changing their lifestyles. You know, it is funny how the Lord always has the final word in these matters. Don't celebrate yet, homosexuals.
Albert, you call that perscuetion of christians, tsk tsk? What about your socalled christianity that persecutes us and has done for millenia supporting systemic discrimination at the government level. You're delusional to ever think you're an ex-homosexual. How many women have you banged lately assuming you could get it up?
I'm sure the Lord will have the final word on this. I'm just suprised you think he's on your side...
posted by Willie Hewes, at
9/14/2005 4:14 AM
Regan, you go girl! I endorse all you say. People like Albert are to be pitied. I wonder how much he was paid to come here and proclaim his miraculous conversion if in fact he was ever gay. Pathetic.
It is interesting to note that in all posts regarding the ex-gay christian fraud that a "former homosexual" always posts and uses that awful tone that is so common with fundamentalists. Christian persecution, give me a friggin break, phoney born again christians know nothing about persecution or discrimination. What a joke. It absolutely makes my blood boil and they know it has this effect. After a deep breath...Born again christians have no business damaging the lives of gays and lesbians and brainwashing them into their twisted version of christianity. Love in Action, Exodus and the white supremists at Focus on the Family are not practicing sanctioned mental health practices because they are attempting to cure something that is not a mental illness and has not been considered such for over 3 decades. One cannot cure a biological trait and what part of that don't they get? They are practicing shame based cult-like brainwashing that is designed to largely separate vulnerable people from their hard earned cash. These Jesus cures don't come cheap and cost thousands of dollars. The phonies running it are becoming extremely rich. The priorities for the gay community should be fighting the fundamentalists in court and the voting booth and shutting these scams down once and for all. All it really would take to expose these phonies is a well placed hustler...and some good quality cameras, then we can see the real power of their alleged lord and saviour. Tim W.
posted by Anonymous, at
9/14/2005 8:59 AM
Robert in Bayside, i like your postings; you generally crack me up. Gary (NJ)
posted by Anonymous, at
9/14/2005 9:24 AM
One of the biggest outrages to me, is that these churches pay NO taxes, but rake in millions; whereas gay people pay the same, if not more (no kids, more disposable income), than most hetero families. And they still have the CHUTZPAH to try to tell us how to live our lives as well as take away our equality and civil rights. They pay shit and we GET all their shit! Gary (NJ)
posted by Anonymous, at
9/14/2005 9:34 AM
Tim, well put! The only way their power is going to be diminished even more is if the republicans are kicked out in the next general election. If it weren't for Bush and his cronyism, these industries wouldn't be flexing their muscle.
To digress, and as much as I hate to say it, who on earth among the democrats is capable of leading us? None that come to mind even support full civil rights for gays either. Its really scary. What is even scarier is that these extremists don't even want us to have civil unions short of full marriage recognition. These people are clearly hatemongers and not worthy to be called christian. We need our own Rick Santorum type to take them on and fight back, but I doubt if he or she exists, none of them have the courage or conviction to stick their necks out for us. Nobody really speaks about injustice in our own backyard. Its unconscionable that a nation such as ours should blatantly discriminate and deny us our full civil rights while pushing for pseudo democracy in Iraq. Its abominable. Meanwhile, the bigots continue to flourish with tacit support from the idiot in the White House or condemnation from the left.
I too do not understand how some of these organizations who bilk millions of dollars per year from vulnerable people, avoid taxes? Do the white supremist hate groups such as Focus Pocus, Concerned Wo ahem Men, the Prejudice Research Council etc pay taxes? I think not, because the non-existant god is on their side, you know, the good old shame based initiatives? Tim W
posted by Anonymous, at
9/14/2005 9:40 AM
Gary, I'm so glad I crack you up. We have to maintain our sense of humor in all things I suppose.
Yes, these frauds pay no taxes. As I said some time back, they should be forced to open their books for public scrutiny to just see where there money is coming from and where its going. These are business first, nothing but. I suppose Bush allows the ex-gay ministries to flourish on the pretext that they are faith based and therefore exempt. What a bunch of baloney that is! As long as they meddle in politics, they should be taxed their fair share. I've said it once and I'll say it again, the gay community should be pushing for the elimination of marriage rights for hetero couples if they don't want us to have equal access to marriage. Why should we be funding their breeding habits and schools when all we get is the finger? I'd get rid of that child allowance break once and for all. They want kids, let them pay for them, in full, not out of my tax dollars thank you very much. You'll see how fast they'd respond to that one! They can't have it both ways. Time for action.
Gary, another thing. The catholic church is a vast conglomerate, billions of dollars. Here in NYC, it owns vast amounts of real estate and other investments (all subject to tax exemption), but since the molestation scandal, they've had to sell some of it to offset the lawsuits, some still pending. But they'll recoup their losses sooner or later, again, no taxes paid. Its disgusting isn't it? Its all going to catch up with them. There's a proposal to ban all gay men from the priesthood, fine with me because it will hasten the church's decline. They maintain that having gay seminarians deters heterosexuals from becoming priests. I find it offensive to say the least. They should go after the hetero priest philanderers too and get it over with. There are many to go around. Wouldn't that be justice?
