...

[annathepiper]

Just when I think I can't get any more appalled by the stunts that get pulled by the fundamentalist types in this country, they come up with a new way to push the envelope. solarbird has discovered a case where a 16-year-old boy in Tennessee tried to come out to his parents--and they responded by slapping him into what essentially amounts to a "brainwash you into being straight" camp run by a local fundie church.

To say that I am appalled is to only begin to describe my reaction. And the really depressing part of it is, I'm not even really surprised to hear that this kind of extreme treatment of queer teenagers actually does happen--because I have friends and loved ones who have either themselves directly suffered this kind of treatment, or who themselves have friends or loved ones who have. People whose relatives genuinely believe that the right thing to do is to have a deeply screwed up, traumatized kid trying to pretend to be straight, rather than a happier, healthier queer kid.

I'm also deeply saddened, because I can't think of a single thing that I can do for the boy in question besides spread the word that this does happen. Go read Dara's post for the details, but brace yourself; she's posted a copy of the camp rules that the boy discovered before his parents slapped him into the place, rules that were one of his last posts on his online journal.

Comments

[solarbird]

Important things to remember are that this is just one kid - one of many - who managed to blog the rules before his forced term in the programme began. This is a regular thing. It's ongoing. It's what they think is the correct response to GBLT-folk.

It's what they'd do to every queer kid, if they could. And, for that matter, what they'd do to every queer adult, as well. Well, every queer adult they don't put in jail.

[cats-haven.livejournal.com]

In just this one case, I would cheer on anyone who has the balls to not just burn this church down, but completely erradicate it and this horrid(sp?) excuse for a church camp. No wonder so many kids and adults are screwed in the head with this kind of stuff being forced down their throats simply because they are different.

[annathepiper]

Yeah, "horrid" is the word.

There are a couple later posts on that boy's blog that say he's snuck out a couple of times and seen the supportive comments he's been getting in. I really hope he hangs in there and manages to pull through this till he's old enough to get out of that state. :|

[cats-haven.livejournal.com]

I hope he has the will power to make it through the two years it'll take. What he could do now is file for emancipated teen. That can get him out quick, if there is someone willing to take him in out of state.

[annathepiper]

I saw people making those sorts of offers on his blog, yeah. I'd have left a supportive comment myself, but it required you to sign up with that system in order to leave a comment.

Here's hoping he'll be able to pull something off, though.

[cats-haven.livejournal.com]

If I had the room and the means, I'd offer him a home until he live on his own. Its good that there are plenty of people offering what advise they can to help him.

[annathepiper]

Good on you for the thought, hon. I've got to find out if there's somebody that can accept donations--like the Queer Action Coalition who was staging protests outside that camp.

[cats-haven.livejournal.com]

Let me know what you find, please. I'll see what I can find from my end.

[annathepiper]

Here's Queer Action Coalition's blog; it looks like they're hanging in there down in Memphis with protests and are steadily gaining support. I can't find an LJ feed for it yet, but I'm looking.

[caligogreywings.livejournal.com]

Much as I hate to say it, there are camps like these all over. I actually saw an episode of Law and Order SVU or something, I don't remember, about a boy who "was no longer gay" because of one of these camps. To find that it has made a national television show (and not just the news)... oy.

[annathepiper]

*shudder* I saw one person posting in the comments on this boy's journal that he had suffered similar experiences--he's 26 now--and had taken years to try to work through the huge piles of depression and emotional trauma that it caused him.

I just want to cry a bit thinking about things like this. I got up last night when I read Dara's posting, went to her in the kitchen, and just gave her a huge hug.

[caligogreywings.livejournal.com]

It's probably the worst in the south. You want fundies? We gots fundies. You want closed minds? Oh, we have those too.

Quote from my mimi (grandmother): You still studyin that Wiccan stuff? Me: No, mimi, I'm not... (left unsaid that I'm still pagan, and still NOT christian)

[annathepiper]

I hear you. My grandmother (well, technically she's my step-grandmother, but who pays attention to that sort of distinction?) once gave me a 20-minute lecture on the evils of homosexuality. >:| Kentucky's not as bad as some parts of the true south, and certainly I was fortunate to spend all my time in my home state in its two biggest and therefore most liberal cities, but it definitely has its pockets of these sorts of things.

And the last time Dara and I went back, we noticed even Lexington had begun to have an attitude shift more towards the severely conservatively religious. It was impossible to miss when the local city councilpeople were running ads like "Elect Jesus Christ Saviour".

[caligogreywings.livejournal.com]

Well, and right now, that's just how most folks in the US are leaning, in general. But there are some parts of Alabama that will always be this way.

[annathepiper]

Well, and right now, that's just how most folks in the US are leaning, in general.

I know. That's the part that scares me. :(

[kitchengrrl.livejournal.com]

NO, it's the way a vocal minority are leaning. They are the squeakiest wheels on earth and they're using their pressure tactics and doubletalk to sound like "they're everywhere." There are obviously a bunch of us left who aren't taken in and are sick of their bullshit. We must all hange in there and (to borrow a phrase) survive this time of tribulation. Rock on, brothers and sisters. :)

[annathepiper]

Thank you, I needed to be reminded of this. Sometimes I start to get really paranoid, you know? *hugs!* Rock on, indeed. With very large guitars!