Tennessee Department of Health: No Child Abuse At Love In Action

I just left the QAC Rally and I want to commend everyone there for the incredible turnout. Among the many supporters and friends was Peterson Toscano, still in town after graciously performing his one-man show at MeDiA Co-op over the weekend. Also among the many supporters was Dr. Arnold Drake, the President of the Memphis chapter of PFLAG (or Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Dr. Drake, whose son is openly gay and in a committed relationship for the past 15 years, faced down the "media consultant" for Love In Action in a clearly heated debate in front of ABC-24/UPN-30's cameras. What will come of the footage is unknown, but watch the 10pm news on those channels for sure.

It was at the rally where I was informed that the State of Tennessee Department of Health has completed its investigation into allegations of child abuse at Love In Action/Refuge. According to my best information, the State of Tennessee determined after its incredibly in-depth and lengthy week-long investigation that there was no child abuse occurring at LIA/R. A phone call to the TN Dept. of Health has not been returned as of this writing. News of this story will likely spread quickly through the blogosphere, but it should be done with the caveat that I did not hear this from anyone at the TN Dept. of Health directly.

This should not be seen as a defeat because it is, after all, only one investigation. This particular investigation, as many of you reading will know, is very difficult to prove -- we are talking about proving psychological abuse after all. There are a series of ongoing investigations by watchdogs, concerned citizens, and others regarding LIA/R's practices in regards to children.

More news as events warrant. For now, go visit Peterson's blog where he recounts what will forever be known as "the vegan bbq nacho experience".