6.20.2005

Zach, Gay teen forced to ex-gay camp

The blogging world has been following the story of 16 year Zach. Zach came out to his parents as gay and they have enrolled him in a camp for "ex-gay" adolescents. The camp tries to reinforce christian heterosexual values. The youth are held captive, as prisoners similar to boot camps used for delinquents. The youth are put through severe indoctrination.

“The history of organizations like Love In Action are founded upon deception and have been proven ineffective and damaging to people,” Morgan Fox, an organizer of Queer Action Coalition who said she is a friend of Zach’s told the Washington Blade.

In Zach's words,
"It's been a week of torture - anger, and crying. Current mood: worried
Hi.
I'm not sure if I'm even supposed to be on. I ran away for a short while. I came back and they took everything from me, they don't want me to have outside influences-- i dont know how long im going to be on, because if tehy wake up, im screwed. The program starts June 6 and is until either teh 17th or the 20th. I'm sorry I don't have time to write back o all of the comments and
messages. I'm just here to let everyone know I am still alive, I'm sure you've left messages on my cellphone, they took that.. and my keys... and the computer.. and I've been homebound. -=sigh=- I just need this to be over. Don't worry. I'll get through this. They've promised me things will get better whether this program does anything or not. Let's hope they aren't lying. I've been through hell. I've been emotionally torn apart for three days... I can't remember which days they were.. time's not what it used to be."
~
Zach's post June 3rd, 3 days before he was to be delivered to the camp.


Zach's post about the camp rules - He posted on May 29, 2005
Zach's Blog
Zach's last post, June 3, 2005

Want to keep on the action to support Zach and fight homophobia, go to Queer Action Coalition

Check out this site as well: Wayne Bensen, Author of "Anything but Straight", Unmasking the Scandals and Lies behind the "ex-gay" Myth.

2 comments:

HDcanuck said...

Forced labour camps seem to be all the rage in the States these days. I hope the boy not only survives, but grows stronger as a gay man and grows up to turn around and sue his parents' asses off for all they're worth.

Röö said...

I am from South Africa, and programs like that are unheard of here because homosexuality is simply not tolerated. I feel for Zach, and if anybody has any news on what became of him since his experience back in '05, please let me know: wbruan@gmail.com