Queer as he wants to be - Out & About Newspaper

8 • NEWS • OUT & ABOUT NEWSPAPER • APRIL, 2006
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GLBT youth under fire — continued from page 1
ment that is designed to prevent GLBT
people from “owning” their identities
and whose main goal is to prevent those
same people from gaining basic civil
rights.
In fact, the “therapy” can do immediate
and long-term harm to gay youth
and has been associated with depression,
suicidal ideation, sexual dysfunction and
other psychosocial problems. There is
also a high correlation with distancing
from loved ones, both significant others
and biological
family members.
The impetus
for the study
also came from
the realization
on the part of
national experts
that there is a
shift in focus
Foreman
occurring within
the “ex-gay”
movement. In
turning away
from “curing” adults and focusing on
“prevention” in children and aggressive
treatment of teens, the movement has
begun to concentrate its attention on
some of the most vulnerable members
of our community.
“It is morally repugnant and downright
dangerous the way these extremists
demonize young people and prey on the
fears of parents through their so-called
ex-gay programs,” said Matt Foreman,
executive director of the National Gay
and Lesbian Task Force. “These programs
and conferences are often established
in states that are fertile ground
for right-wing organizing efforts,
notably in states that are considering
anti-same-sex marriage ballot measures.
It is no wonder that their organizers are
viewed as politically motivated.”
Foreman’s statement came only days
before a national Reclaiming America
for Christ conference held at Coral
Ridge Baptist Church in Fort
Lauderdale, Fla. The speakers’ roster for
that conference included Alan
Chambers, President of Exodus
International, an “ex-gay” umbrella
organization that claims worldwide
scope. Exodus International headquarters
are located in Orlando, Fla.
A cursory inventory of online references
reveals a minimum of twelve “exgay”
programs in Tennessee located
from Chattanooga to Kingsport to
Memphis. As previously reported in
“Out and About Newspaper”, Zach
Stark, a gay teen from Memphis, was
incarcerated in Refuge, a Love in Action
affiliate, last summer.
His blog chronicling his distress
regarding the treatment in that facility
sparked protests by Queer Action
Coalition and brought national attention
to Zach’s plight. Some of these programs
are affiliated with Exodus
International while others are “homegrown”
and lump gays together with sex
addicts of various stripes.
“Tennessee youth are particularly vulnerable
to faith-based attacks on their
identity,” asserted Paul Balo, president
of the Greater Knoxville Chapter of
PFLAG. “There are concerns about the
targeting of youth by any group fostering
exclusion. GLBTQ youth are especially
vulnerable to the isolation caused
by feeling different. Bible-belt culture
can provide easy justification for meanspirited
attacks on GLBTQ people.
PFLAG supports family communication,
which is often silenced by certain religious
beliefs, and provides referrals to
youth services.”
The Greater Knoxville area also boasts
Spectrum Diversi-Tea and Coffee House,
providing a venue for local youth to
find friends and a supportive environment.
Participation is limited to youth
aged 14 to 18. The group is hosted by
the Tennessee Valley Universalist
Unitarian Church with David Massey at
the helm of this very important group.
In nearby Oak Ridge, the recently
formed Oak Ridge High School Gay-
Straight Alliance offers yet another
resource for teens seeking support and
friendship. It is listed as a resource on
Outminds, an online community offering
an Internet haven for students aged
13 and older.
“We now have permission to have our
club and will be looking forward to creating
a more tolerant community at
ORHS,” asserted Tess Fulton, a leader in
the Alliance.
Additionally, there are tentative plans
to air the film “Trevor” as part of a Pride
2006 event focusing on the emotional
needs of GLBT youth and suicide prevention
in that population. �
Beth can be reached at
beth@outandaboutnewspaper.com