This message is meant to draw attention to the plight of a teenager in Memphis, Tennessee, and the many others who are in similar situations. This 16-year-old boy revealed to his parents recently that he is homosexual. His parents reacted by signing him up for Refuge (http://www.asafeplace.org), a camp-type program designed to "cure" teenagers of their "problem" of homosexuality. As far as anybody outside of his family or the staff of Refuge knows, he is in the camp at this moment.
He writes:
"They tell me that there is something psychologically wrong with me, and they "raised me wrong." I'm a big screw up to them, who isn't on the path God wants me to be on. So I'm sitting here in tears, joing the rest of those kids who complain about their parents on blogs - and I can't help it."
The teenager found the rules and regulations of the camp in his parents' email inbox, and posted them, along with the rest of his story, on his blog at MySpace (http://blog.myspace.com/specialkid). Many of the rules detailed cross the line into what could be considered child abuse, especially the following:
1. All new Refuge clients will be placed into Safekeeping for the initial two to three days of their program. A client on safekeeping may not communicate verbally, or by using hand gestures or eye contact, with any other clients, staff members, or his/her parents or guardians. In case of a practical need, Safekeeping clients may write down their question or request and show it to another client, staff member, or their parent or guardian. Writing may only be used when absolutely necessary. Parents and guardians must enforce their child¹s safekeeping status at home or in their temporary lodging.
This is psychological torture, and is both illegal and immoral to subject an unwilling teenager to.
Indeed, the teen's words become more frightening after the knowledge of the rules he would be subjected to:
"I'm not a suicidal person... really I'm not.. I think it's stupid - really. But.. I can't help it, no im not going to commit suicide, all I can think about is killing my mother and myself. It's so horrible. This is what it's doing to me... I have this horrible feeling all of the time... I wish this on no person..."
Refuge, run by Love in Action(http://www.loveinaction.org), is not the only "ex-gay" camp for teenagers in existence. These camps are spread out all over the nation. What goes on inside of them is a well-kept secret; we have only the testimonials of those who were sent to such camps and came out still sure of their identities.
What is most frightening is a quote (http://www.whosoever.org/issue4/issue4_LIA.html) attributed to the director of Love In Action, John Smid:
"I would rather you commit suicide than have you leave Love In Action wanting to return to the gay lifestyle. In a physical death you could still have a spiritual resurrection; whereas, returning to homosexuality you are yielding yourself to a spiritual death from which there is no recovery." --The Final Indoctrination from John Smid, Director, Love In Action (LIA), San Rafael's "ex-gay" clan.
Such a statement directly contradicts the core American belief that all are entitled to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." It is an inherent duty of the government as set forth by the The United States Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to regulate organizations that may promote cruel and unusual punishment.
It is paramount that this case not be isolated as simply a gay rights issue. If one were subjected to such conditions for the forced conversion of religion, politics, or any such element of their being, regardless of age, it would certainly be a clear violation of human rights. Homosexuality should, quite simply, not be treated any differently.
The issue is not the voluntary entry of a person into these programs. This is, indeed, protected by freedom of religion upheld by the first amendment in the United States. The methods used within such programs and the forced captivity of unwilling participants, however, must be addressed. It is therefore important that bills such as HR 1738 (http://www.congress.org/congressorg/bill.xc?billnum=H.R.1738&congress=109) and other local laws be passed to regulate these institutions.
That was written by David. I don't know his last name & I don't know him personally. | 
