Documentary Kidnapped For Christ Describes "Ex-Gay" Teenage Torture Camp

Via Raw Story:

“Kidnapped for Christ” is a new documentary that tells the story of teenagers sent to an evangelical Christian boarding school outside the U.S. where school personnel attempt to rid them of feelings of same sex attraction or other “ungodly” influences. “They mess your mind up,” said former student Deirdre Sugiuchi to Raw Story. “Prisoners have more freedom than we had.” The “school” is Escuela Caribe, an evangelical Christian reform school that is run like a prison camp by an organization called New Horizons Youth Ministries. Many of the students are the children of Christian parents who believe their sons and daughters’ nascent feelings of same sex attraction can be eliminated by the school’s program of Bible study, brutally hard work, exercise and physical punishment to break the students down.

An important detail from the above-linked article: "The Romney family contributes heavily to the World Wide Association of Specialty Programs (WWASP), an umbrella organization for evangelical reform schools like Escuela Caribe — which was briefly closed down, then reopened under the name Crosswinds — and their Mormon equivalents." The film's website is here. It makes its debut next month at the Slamdance Film Festival.

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Posted in: brainwashing,documentaries,ex-gay,LGBT youth,movies,religion,torture

"Ex-Gays" File Discrimination Complaint With Department Of Justice

The "ex-gay" crackpots at PFOX have filed a federal discrimination complaint with the Department of Justice and the Department of Education because the Montgomery County, Maryland school board won't let them advocate for the torture and brainwashing of LGBT students. Via press release:

PFOX requests the federal agencies initiate an investigation into the discriminatory practices of Superintendent Starr and the Montgomery County school board and to oversee a remedial program to ensure diversity and non-discrimination against ex-gays. "Starr misused his official position as school superintendent to gain access to students and indoctrinate them with his prejudicial bias against the ex-gay community," said Regina Griggs, executive director of PFOX. "The Department of Justice has investigated complaints against schools for discriminating against transgenders -- those who have changed their gender identity. The ex-gay community -- those who have changed their sexual orientation -- asks for equal treatment from our federal government."

After PFOX distributed ex-gay flyers to high school students as part of the schools' flyer distribution program for non-profit organizations, Starr publicly denigrated PFOX and former homosexuals by calling the actions of PFOX "reprehensible and deplorable" and labeling the flyer's sexual orientation freedom stance as "a really, really disgusting message." "PFOX's flyers provided information on unwanted same-sex attractions, discouraged student name calling, and urged tolerance for former homosexuals," Griggs said. "Starr does not respect real diversity. As school superintendent, Starr's actions make it impossible for Montgomery County public schools to provide an atmosphere where everyone is treated fairly and with respect, and free from discrimination and abuse, as mandated by its sexual orientation nondiscrimination policy.

Griggs: "Their actions are reminiscent of the 1950s Jim Crow South, when public pools were closed rather than allow the participation of African-Americans."

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Posted in: brainwashing,crackpots,DOJ,education,ex-gay,LGBT youth,Maryland,PFOX,Regina Griggs,still totally gay,torture

Andy Cohen For GLSEN

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Posted in: Andy Cohen,GLSEN,LGBT youth

TRAILER: Road To Home

From the producers:

In the avalanche of homeless young people spreading across America, nearly half are LGBT, despite the fact that gay kids make up only 5-7% of the general population. In an era of increasing openness regarding LGBT issues, where marriage equality is making strides and anti-gay bullying is publicly shamed, kids are coming out to their parents younger and younger. But social trends don’t translate into all households equally, and LGBT kids are often getting kicked out into the streets long before they’ve developed the skills to survive on their own.

Addressing this problem involves more than providing beds. It also involves providing hope and healing. Our 90-minute documentary Road to Home will follow the development of 4-5 LGBT homeless young people of various genders, backgrounds, and origins as they’re provided beds as well as guidance by the staff of the Ali Forney Center, the organization dealing with LGBT homelessness most effectively in New York City. By showing several young people finding a place to lay their heads and a way to heal their hearts, our film will not only depict a dramatic emotional journey, but also stimulate the attention LGBT homeless kids deserve.

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Posted in: Ali Forney Center,Carl Siciliano,documentaries,homelessness,LGBT youth,movies,NYC

ROME: Famed Street Lit With Rainbow Lights For Gay Teen, Wingnuts Complain

Italy's right wing Fratelli d'Italia party is demanding the removal of rainbow lights hung over Rome's famous Via Del Corso in the memory of a gay teenager.

A rainbow-flag theme has been selected for the traditional lights along the city's main shopping street, the Via del Corso. The lights run for almost a mile long. The lights were chosen by the local council as a stand against homophobia, following the recent suicide of a gay teenager in the Eternal City. "That is how we came up with the rainbow flag idea," said councilor Imma Battaglia, who also heads up a gay rights campaign group. But that decision has not gone down well with everyone, reports AFP.

The company that put up the lights has responded to the furor by saying that the lights are now also dedicated to the memory of Nelson Mandela.

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Posted in: Italy,LGBT youth,Rome,suicide

MINNESOTA: Ladybird Drops "Bachmann" From Name Of His "Ex-Gay" Torture Clinic

Ladybird Bachmann has dropped the "Bachmann" from the name of his "ex-gay" torture clinic in Minnesota. And perhaps more interestingly, Crazy Eyes no longer gets a prominent mention on the brainwashing center's website.  Via Bluestem Prairie:

It's been glitterbombed, infiltrated by gay men pretending to seek "pray away the gay" reparative therapy and mocked by Jon Stewart and Jerry Seinfeld on the Daily Show. It's been the focus of the Last Word by Lawrence O'Donnell. But the eponymous Bachmann and Associates clinic is no more. On October 1, 2013, Bachmann and Associates rebranded itself as Counseling Care. Bluestem confirmed the official date of the name change in a phone conversation with a staffer at the Burnsville branch. Moreover, the political career of the wife of chief counselor Marcus Bachmann has disappeared from the site as well, ending a long-standing practice stemming from the days when Congresswoman Bachmann served in the Minnesota House.

The clinic boasts 26 counselors working at two locations. (Tipped by JMG reader Ken)

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Posted in: brainwashing,closet cases,crackpots,ex-gay,Ladybird,LGBT youth,Michele Bachmann,religion,torture

It Gets Better Sends Message To Russia

Via press release:

With the Olympics approaching, Russia will be the site of one of the most celebrated international gatherings in the world. At the same time, the former Soviet country will also be ground zero for an evolving human rights crisis, often resulting in violent discrimination. With a network of It Gets Better Project affiliates throughout the world, IGB has gathered international support for at-risk youth in Russia, and is committed to sending encouraging messages to a population that is in desperate need of hope for a brighter future. To accomplish this, IGB has partnered with LGBT advocates affiliated with Children 404, which is using Europe’s largest social network, Vkontakte, to connect Russian LGBT youth to the international community. Supporters are encouraged to visit IGB’s website and craft their own messages, which are then translated into Russian.

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Posted in: activism,It Gets Better Project,LGBT youth,Russia