Sawed-Off Films has released preview footage of the new documentary This Is What Love In Action Looks Like.
The film is an examination of the controversial Memphis-based Love In Action (LIA), a ministry whose actions became notorious in 2005 when 16-year-old Zach was enrolled in their residential ex-gay program against his will.
Zach, now 19, is one of several participants in the documentary. Following his ordeal at LIA, the harrowing run-up to which was uniquely documented on his MySpace blog, Zach refused to talk at length about his experience. In This Is What Love In Action Looks Like, he revisits the events of 2005 in detail for the first time.
Watch the film’s opening 10 minutes below, then click here to see an earlier extended preview.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmbnvVVMpU0
HT: BTB.
If anyone has any doubt that young people have been and continue to be forced into ex-gay therapy by their parents (with the knowledge and assent of Exodus International leaders), this film should put that to rest.
Pay attention to what Mr. Stark (Zach’s father) says about why he put his child in Love in Action – the fears he cites for his son, that he’ll die at a young age, comes right from Paul Cameron’s “research” that ex-gay/Christian Right groups continue to spread about gays and lesbians.
The ex-gay movement is not only harmful to many, many of those who seek “change,” it is harmful to gays and lesbians in society because of all the stereotyping and ignorance it promotes.
I hope this film, once released, is seen widely.
Looks great, though too much of the footage is a repeat from One Nation Under God. I’m really intrigued to hear more from Zach.
It’s tragic to hear the guy talking like this. He really believes it. He’s been fed this BS and he really thinks his son is doomed. Heartbreaking.
Zac seems like a young man with a lot of courage and integrity. I am glad he has come through this.
“Itâs tragic to hear the guy talking like this.” – Talking like what? Truth – one point GLBT’s NEVER EVER READ AND SAY YES THAT’S REALLY WHAT HAPPENS IN THE GAY LIFESTYLE is the obvious emotional, mental and physical damage that GLBT’s are willing to put themselves through. A GLBT doctor will tell you that Anal Cancer, Chlamydia, Cryptosporidium, Giardia lamblia, Herpes, HIV, Human papilloma virus, Isospora belli, Microsporidia, Gonorrhea, Viral hepatitis types B and C and Syphilis are all physical ailments directly related to gay lifestyle Choices. This has NO religious or political connection-it’s documented Medical fact. But being gay in 2008 means to ignore the obvious things like STD’s (NOT JUST HIV) having the ability to shorten the average GLBT lifespan. If it’s not any STD than smoking and substance abuse (ALSO DEALT WITH IN AN OSTRICH-LIKE FASHION IN THE GAY WORLD) will likely reduce a GLBT’s lifespan. So saying I’m gay doesn’t magically shave the years off like the whiners want you to believe. The truth that GLBT’s overall make poor long term health choices that typically take 8-20 years off is too tough for GLBT’s to admit to and be truthful about. Throw all the tantrums you want to and say whatever soothes your insecurities. This logic is flawed no matter who says otherwise:”He notes that while he seeks HIV, he doesn’t eat junk food or smoke, and that he drinks only socially. “I take care of myself,” he says proudly.” So before those of you out there say that not everyone is like that and so on just remember that GLBT’s spew a lot of BS too, another secret gays don’t want revealed.
Kinda like you just did, funnily enough. Ignorant, ill-informed, prejudiced.
Put down your dog-eared copy of the Paul Cameron Compendium and get to know some real gay people and their real lives.
I’ve never even read Paul Cameron’s research or his Compendium. Glad you did though. I guess using the decades of first hand experience and being truthful about those experiences isn’t something gays tolerate since my writing isn’t glowing with prescribed amount of gay is ok-ness?
By all means be truthful about your own experience. Just don’t project it onto millions of other gays.
Iâve never even read Paul Cameronâs research or his Compendium.
Meaning you cite the “8-20 years off” BS without even knowing where it comes from. This may be difficult to accept, but simply making a bunch of bizarre assertions doesn’t actually prove anything.
I guess using the decades of first hand experience and being truthful about those experiences isnât something gays tolerate since my writing isnât glowing with prescribed amount of gay is ok-ness?
You are being extremely silly. First of all, who isn’t tolerating your writing? You put it up on this site, and no one’s banned it or called for it to be banned. You’ve been “tolerated” just fine. Tolerating you doesn’t mean allowing you the special right to exemption from criticism, however. If you spout nonsense, you’ll likely be called on it. Sorry, that’s just the way it works. If you can’t handle it, move on and try to grow up.
Throw all the tantrums you want to and say whatever soothes your insecurities.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_projection
Touché, Boo!
You’re right, it’s not fair to state that ALL gays suffer from the above-they don’t and i didn’t isolate that fact out either. And that’s fine Boo-wasn’t asking for special treatment and as for the tolerance bit my meaning was broad in implication and not directed to the site or post singularly. Aren’t you projecting when your stating I must have read Cameron’s research? https://www.medicine.org/mental_health/substance_abuse/are_you_a_smoker_take_20_years_off_your_life_span
I can post wiki links too:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denial
Moderated: For the record, here is the unedited version of this comment to which the others responded, i.e. before Gibblez edited it and it went to the spam filter.
You’re right, it’s not fair to state that ALL gays suffer from the above-they don’t and i didn’t isolate that fact out either. However-I’m tired of GLBT’s saying statements like substance abuse has nothing to do with being gay-and in and of itself that is correct-addiction is not JUST for GLBT’s. How many non-smoking gay juice bars have you seen? Gay bars are still considered the social hub of gay urban life and with that the risk of addicted person raises exponentially.
Actually, there’s good evidence that increased social acceptance of LGBT people is contributing to the decline of gay bars. Unlike you, I will now proceed to back up that assertion with actual evidence:
https://www.austinduus.net/Site/The_Blog/Entries/2008/3/2_The_Decline_of_the_ABQ_Gay_Bar.html
https://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2007/12/02/last_call/?page=full
https://www.sovo.com/2007/11-2/arts/feature/7652.cfm
https://www.entrepreneur.com/extinction/index.html
Note that one of the places it’s most pronounced is Boston- the biggest city in the state where gay rights have advanced the furthest.
That’s weird, it looks like the last comment of Gibblez got bounced somehow?
All bars in the UK are now non-smoking, including gay bars. I know of gay cafes, too, so there’s your smoke-free, alcohol-free “juice bar”.
And regular bars, pubs and clubs are still the hub of straight social life – in my country (UK), at least.
The hub of my social life is my church, if anything. I don’t even drink, and if I ever go into a pub or bar, it’s a regular, non-gay pub, and I order a Coca-Cola. Some gay lifestyle, huh?
Not sure what happened there, Boo.
Gibblez might have deleted his/her own comment, or the spam filter could have caught it.
Dave, I smoke and drink lots… when I am with my straight friends at the regular bar and club. I do not even have a sex life…. and I am a MTF transsexual married to a FTM transsexual. Guess what lifestyle I am having? Darn right, an absolutely straight lifestyle.
Boo and Dave, the only thing I can think of is that Gibblez edited his comment during the 10 grace period and something in the new version sent it to the spam filter, though I don’t know what. I’ve restored it.
@Gibblez, please don’t post under multiple aliases while here. Also, the editing feature is to help make last minute grammar or spelling corrections, not change the entire comment. If you *really* feel the need to retract the entire thing, please state that you did so.
Good grief Gibblez, where were you when the rest of us left the 20th century đ
Oh dear. The first version was much better, Gibblez, if still inaccurate. What does smoking have to do with anything, unless you’re actually suggesting smoking is an inherently homosexual activity? (While I smoke on and off, I can’t think of any of my gay friends who do.)
As for the Paul Cameron ref, I wasn’t literally suggesting you had read him. But you’re repeating the same misinformation.
Btw, count me in – I can post Wikipedia links, too. đ
When you compare health patterns of gay people to straight people, it’s very important to remember the marriage effect. Many studies have shown that getting married directly contributes to healthier behaviors and longer life expectancy. In particular, married people tend to have lower rates of alcohol consumption, drug abuse, and smoking. The CDC has one thorough roundup of studies available here:
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/ad/ad351.pdf
If Gribblez and others are seriously concerned about the health patterns of gay people, and not just using any negative statistics they can find to beat us over the head, they should support efforts to legalize marriage for gay couples.
How about the health effects of lesbians to gays? There has never been a documented case of HIV transmission from a WSW to a WSW. The only danger comes in when the woman has slept with men. Statistically, lesbians are the “safest.” In addition, many of my gay friends will say they “hate” gay bars and that they don’t like meeting people there.
Dave,
“Moomins??” lol
Yeah, I like to throw in something from left-field occasionally. Keeps people on their toes. đ
It is my observation that people who make “first person” declarations of what being gay is like tend to say far more about theirselves than they do about the gay community.
Those who are in a realationship, have two kids, attend church, bowl in a gay league on Thursdays, and meet a core group of friends every Saturday for brunch tend to say things like, “Gay people are just like everyone else”.
Those who slut about, are high every weekend, visit an STD clinic a couple times a year, and have bitchy friends and cat-fights tend to say things like, “The gay life is shallow and crass and doesn’t lead to happiness”.
Interestingly, those who live that life and become ex-gay look for the exact same type of people and behavior – in a different context. Instead of getting high and drunk, they behave in other excesses. Instead of bitchy queens, they look for bitchy anti-gays. Instead of “reading” someone at a bar, they go online and belch their venom all over.
Hmm, let me think, whoooo could that be, lol.
Gibblez, I know that a lot of homosexual people make bad lifestyle decisions (as do many heterosexual people). In my experience, for what itâs worth, those who canât or wonât accept their orientation are more likely than others to do so. But it is the bad lifestyle decisions that are going to shorten their lives, not simply being homosexual.
O.K., so suppose that youâve been through an ex-gay programme or a reparative therapy programme, and it hasnât changed your sexual orientation one whit. So what now?
Have you GOT to abuse alcohol?
Have you GOT to smoke? (Although I have to confess that I do, as do many of my male heterosexual friends, particularly the unmarried ones.)
Have you GOT to take drugs?
Have you GOT to engage in unsafe and promiscuous sexual behaviour?
Clearly the answer to all the above questions is ânoâ. So instead of trying to change what can very seldom if ever be changed, namely your sexual orientation, the important thing to do is to focus on a healthy way of living and to avoid things that you know will harm you. (Yes, I know, it’s time I gave up smoking.)
It is my observation that people who make âfirst personâ declarations of what being gay is like tend to say far more about theirselves than they do about the gay community.
Nail. Hammer. Bang. And not just about the poor choices they’ve made in their own lives, but also how no matter which way they turn they’re still sleepwalking through life. If you can use the phrase “gay lifestyle” in all seriousness you are saying that you haven’t clue one about gay people. There are gay urbanites. There are gay country folk. There are gay suburbanites. There are gay rich and there are gay poor and there are gay blue collar and gay professionals. There are gay peacocks and there are gay geeks. There are gay people in every nation, of every faith, of every race and culture. There’s a reason the rainbow flag resonated with gay people more then the lambda. Whatever life any of us have led in the gay community, to walk through it eyes wide open is to know your own personal experience is not a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean that is the humanity of gay people.
Insular – It’s not a lifestyle…it’s a life.
Gibblez, your point rests on what you glibly refer to as the ‘gay lifestyle’. As usual you have efficiently parroted the Cameronite version of reality and used the behavior of a small fraction of people to defame a larger group. For some reason, you have decided that GLBT people are all the same and all face the same situations, choices and inevitable fate. In the process of doing so, you demonstrate that you know nothing at all about GLBT people. You are unaware that there are GLBT people who are very concerned about health issues. You are unaware that there are GLBT people who live ‘lifestyles’ that aren’t the wild scene you are allegedly concerned over. But lest I bore you with the truth, let me skip to the point: while I understand that people such as yourself are concerned about that particular lifestyle, what I do not understand is the arrogance that drives you or anyone else to assume that this particular lifestyle is the sole option or reality for all GLBT people.
Gibblez:
The many gay and lesbians I know since I have moved to Southern California are church-goers, and our “social hub of gay urban life” is the church. We have the GLBT group, the Homeless Program, the Food Pantry, the Church Council, etc. We have functions that center on the church. The only time we venture away from the church is to go eat at a local restaurant. And what I really love about it is that we have a mixture of straight and gays in almost all our functions. Our Pride BBQ last week had just as many straight singles and couples as it did gay singles and couples. Two of our priests were there.
When I was young I was all into the bar scenes and the discos, and being half-Hispanic and growing up in El Paso and Cd. Juarez there were the quinceñeras and weddings, and this was before I came out to myself or to others. So all the places I frequented were “straight” places. Youth tend to do those things – go to parties, bars, discos, and get drunk, experiment with drugs and sex. Gay or straight, youth are youth, and the temptations are out there. And as many ex-gays like to draw attention to the old men preying on young men in bars, let me tell you, the older men at the straight bars with their shirts unbuttoned to their bellybutton with an obessesive number of gold chains around their necks hitting on 18 year olds with enough hair color in their hair to make even hair dressers green with envy is enough to make any young girl want to just stay home on a Friday night.
As I stated in another entry, straight people have recourse to this kind of behavior – it’s called “marriage.” Society has it as such that, at least most subcultures in the US allow for young men to “sow their oats” before they “settle down and get hitched.” The idea is that a straight guy will eventually tire of partying and all and find the “right woman” and settle down.
Finally the same concept of “settling down and getting hitched” has become more into the limelight so that the gay youth of today have some focal point. And like some of my younger gay friends find, they get tired of doing the bar scene every weekend, especially when they find their Mr. Right.
I can’t speak for Lesbians but I don’t want to exclude them from this commentary. I think lesbians get pigeon holed as being “what does a lesbian couple’s first date and their wedding date have in common? They both happened on the same day.” I have lesbian friends who “sowed their wild oats” as well but finally settled down when they found Ms. Right.
But this is only one example of how we gays are. There are some who’ve never seen the inside of a barroom, met their partner somewhere other than a bar or disco, and never sowed any wild oats. So have some straight people I know.
When you talk about gay people it’s like asking someone to describe what a bird looks like. They’re bound to ask you, “What kind of bird?”
What are gay people like? What kind of gay people?