gay teen in Memphis...

yea someone get to the media, because i couldnt (living in Memphis vicinity) turn in the story and be caught for bein gay, because in most peoples minds round here, bein gay is worse than bein a serial killer.

 

my myspace is http://www.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...file&friendID=11188567&Mytoken=20050616001027

 

Are there any LGBT groups in greater Memphis? Contact them.

 

Well according to his profile, He belongs to the GBLT club in Memphis, so they probably already know. and anyway, i really know nothin bout the memphis ga club, since im not truely out of the closet.

 

Planetout.com has run a story about this case. It turns out that the gay community in Memphis is aware of what's happening, and they've held a protest. I don't know how a Hipforums protest would work...we're all in cyberspace. I would encourage people to Google "Love in Action" and see what you can find.

 

Alot of my friends ended up going from around the Atlanta area. One of my best guy friends (who is gay) packed 2 vans full of his friends- gay and straight- and went up last week. Couldn't come up with a good enough alibi for my parents though He's supposed to be getting out today or tomorrow I think.

 

crap .. I Googled "Love in Action" and now I feel all dirty and unclean from reading that bullshit on their website.

 

Thanks for the update. However, it's happening all over the country, not just in Memphis...

 

This case is everywhere- all over the world right now. I've only known about it for the past two days, but I've become extremely pissed off at this whole thing.I wish I could take a plane there right now and kidnap the poor kid and burn down the whole facility (granted there wasnt anyone inside )
There are protests going on everywhere in TN. I wish I lived closer so I could do something to help.
But, I am going to start making signs and try to organize some sort of local protest to inform those who live near me that these facilities exist, and what this poor kid is going through. The city I live in is one of the most liberal cities in Florida, and the majority party is the democratic party (voter-wise).
I've said this already on these forums, and I'll say it again. It pisses me off so much that "refuge camps" like these actually exist - that facilities like this are actually REAL. I cannot believe people are so cruel and close-minded to create these places to help these people "cure their disease" or "change their life-style". It is complete BULLSHIT. Homosexuality is not a disease, it is not a life-style. You can't just change from gay to straight. Theres no such thing. It isnt like losing weight and becoming skinny, its not like cutting your hair to make it short, its not like being married then getting a divorce. You cannot alter something like homosexuality, because it is NOT a disease, and it is NOT a "life-style." These people call it a "life-style" as a way to somehow try to prove that they don't deserve rights.
The funny thing is that the program Zach is in encourages something along the lines of being "open-minded" and "understanding and accepting." How hypocritical of these right-wing christian fundamentalists.
These people take the words of the bible and totally distort them to fit their own idealogy and beliefs. I only have heard of it being a sin to "lay down" with someone of the same sex. I don't know where the hell in the bible it says it is wrong to love someone of the same sex. (Someone feel free to prove me wrong on this. I have never read the bible. I used to be Jewish, and now I'm basically nothing.)

I hope some people on this board organize protests and demonstrations, set up flyers and road-side signs in their own towns, even if they don't live in TN. Spread the word. That's what I'll be doing.

 

I agree. I think I am going to email CNN or some other major news groups and ask them to look into it. See if I aren't helpless and make a scandal, but first, I will go read the news.

 

yanno, if this happened in "other" countries, like Iran, Syria and so forth, then there would be an outcry from the administration about how they are brainwashing a child. but because it is "christian" nothing will happen with this "born again" president we have.

 

That is just horrible...I wish I could do something but I live too far away..how can they do that sort of thing to another human being? Those bastards are still living in the middleages..

 

Most straights aren't even aware of this sort of thing, though it's been going on for YEARS now. I'm thinking of raising awareness by posting references to this thread around on some other forums.

PS Since I first added this post, I've placed links in the Young Hippies and Protest forums.

 

i think there was a story on CNN about this. I remember reading in the kids blog in a comment made by someone : "i heard your story on CNN. yes, thats right. its on CNN"

 

I heard about this a few weeks back, and have been sending nasty lettters to this assnecked program ever since. I really hope somone takes some spraypaint tho the side of the damed 'refuge' bulding ands paints a gianormous rainbow on the side of the bulding... I would if I wern't all the way in MA.

And, I've read through the rules... they disgust me. How can this sort of treatment be allowed?!

"Any temptations, fantasies, or dreams are to be presented to one¹s staff worker only." So, they're supposed to report any sex dreams to counsulers?! WTF?!

"No continuing education while in the program. Home-school Refuge clients may be allowed to continue their studies during the program, pending approval by LIA staff. " WTF?! I guess they just want to keep these poor kids as ignorant as possible. Ignorant people are easier to control....

"Absolutely no journaling or keeping a diary outside of the MI process unless directed or approved by staff." Thats a major rights violation. These kids can't write down any private thoughts without having them read through!

"LIA wants to encourage each client, male and female, by affirming his/her gender identity. LIA also wants each client to pursue integrity in all of his/her actions and appearances. Therefore, any belongings, appearances, clothing, actions, or humor that might connect a client to an inappropriate past are excluded from the program. These hindrances are called False Images (FI¹s). FI behavior may include hyper-masculinity, seductive clothing, mannish/boyish attire (on women), excessive jewelry (on men), mascoting, and "campy" or gay/lesbian behavior and talk." Affirming thier gender identity?! In correct context that should be written 'forcing the kid to hold the traits commonly sterotyped with thier sex', cuz my gender identity is null, and that damned camp would try to force it to be 'female'.

"All belongings brought to campus will be searched, including book bags, notebooks, wallets, handbags, purses, etc." This is a major violation of rights...


"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. " That's really effed up... I would go insane during that period of time...


" 5. Refuge clients may only read materials approved by staff.

6. No television viewing, going to movies, or reading/watching/listening to secular media of any kind, anywhere within the client¹s and the parent¹s/guardian¹s control. This includes listening to classical or instrumental music that is not expressly Christian (Beethoven, Bach, etc. are not considered Christian). The only exception to the media policy is the weekly movie.

7. Refuge clients may watch one video/DVD per week that has been approved by staff via C.O.C. Movies submitted for approval must be rated G or PG. The parents/guardians are responsible for securing the video/DVD." More keeping the clients ignorant and comliant.... oh yea, and Bach made me a lesbian heathen... right...


"Refuge clients must be accompanied by a parent during any trip to a public restroom. "

"Be honest, authentic, and real." This is entierly hypocritical... they want you to be 'honest, authentic, and real' yet they're trying to change who the kid really is on the inside.


"No cell phones, phone calls, or contact with anyone outside the program without prior permission." -_-;;


[directed to the parents of the client]"Do not tell client who has called for them or who is asking about them. " Withholdinmg that kind of information is horrible!

 

What is the update on Zach now?