Things I Learned Over BBQ Tofu Nachos Last Night.
Like, whoa.
First off, I am here to report that Peterson Toscano's one-man show which I told you about here is a must-see show for anyone interested in finding out more about the ex-gay movement. It is alternately gut-clutchingly hilarious and gut-wrenchingly disturbing, but it is performed rather seamlessly. I have to hand it to Peterson Toscano, he's a very brave soul to bare his life before an audience. People will take away different important pieces of information about the ex-gay movement, about LIA/R, and get a first-hand account of what life on the inside of the program is like.
Peterson spoke with great candor regarding his experiences to the audience and answered questions after the show last night. One of the more interesting things he shared was regarding a BBC film crew that was allowed inside Love In Action's headquarters. In January of this year, apparently, LIA/R opened its doors to their camera crew who was following a man struggling to "recover" from his homosexuality. Peterson will, hopefully, read this and correct me where I am wrong, but I believe he stated that the man who was inside the program could not bring himself to stay more than four days.
The man's first-hand account of what went on inside the facility included relating the presence of a 16-year-old lesbian female in the program. It was not clear from what Peterson said as to whether or not the girl was there against her will or, more importantly, if she was part of the residential program (something which Love In Action claims they do not allow). It was also related that teenagers who are inside the program are required to participate in group "therapy" sessions with adults -- some of whom are dealing with issues of sexual addiction such as bestiality and pedophilia. What this ostensibly means: LIA/R is asking teenagers to equate their homosexuality with issues like bestiality and pedophilia
Peterson, at the time, was unaware that they allowed minors into the program and sought verification of this startling development. He contacted Exodus International (the world leader in ex-gayness) who, in turn, referred him back to (guess who?) John Smid. Via a chance encounter, Peterson ran into Smid in the Atlanta airport a few weeks back (literally days before the story broke here). Smid confirmed to Peterson that they had been accepting minors into the program against their will but did not elaborate on the presence of the 16-year-old female. Further, in regards to group sessions, Smid related that while teenagers are in some of those sessions I mentioned, adults do not actually talk about the issues directly -- only their feelings.
Peterson said, and I have to agree, "Folks at the BBC? Now would be a good time to let someone see that footage, please."
After the show, a whole crew (including the QAC, me, and one Abby Lady Cutie Troublemaker) headed to R.P. Tracks and loaded up on the equivalent of 11pm vegan heaven, sweet potato fries and BBQ tofu nachos. If I understood correctly, it was learned that many of LIA/R's statistics on homosexuality come from a group called (surprise!) International Organization of Heterosexual Rights. A quick Googling turned up this website which, after reading it, begs the question: I thought heterosexuals already HAVE all the rights?
If you are in Midtown this afternoon or tonight, I cannot recommend highly enough Peterson's show and showing your support to the MeDiA Co-op. It's FREE -- I mean, that's the lowest price in town, right?
First off, I am here to report that Peterson Toscano's one-man show which I told you about here is a must-see show for anyone interested in finding out more about the ex-gay movement. It is alternately gut-clutchingly hilarious and gut-wrenchingly disturbing, but it is performed rather seamlessly. I have to hand it to Peterson Toscano, he's a very brave soul to bare his life before an audience. People will take away different important pieces of information about the ex-gay movement, about LIA/R, and get a first-hand account of what life on the inside of the program is like.
Peterson spoke with great candor regarding his experiences to the audience and answered questions after the show last night. One of the more interesting things he shared was regarding a BBC film crew that was allowed inside Love In Action's headquarters. In January of this year, apparently, LIA/R opened its doors to their camera crew who was following a man struggling to "recover" from his homosexuality. Peterson will, hopefully, read this and correct me where I am wrong, but I believe he stated that the man who was inside the program could not bring himself to stay more than four days.
The man's first-hand account of what went on inside the facility included relating the presence of a 16-year-old lesbian female in the program. It was not clear from what Peterson said as to whether or not the girl was there against her will or, more importantly, if she was part of the residential program (something which Love In Action claims they do not allow). It was also related that teenagers who are inside the program are required to participate in group "therapy" sessions with adults -- some of whom are dealing with issues of sexual addiction such as bestiality and pedophilia. What this ostensibly means: LIA/R is asking teenagers to equate their homosexuality with issues like bestiality and pedophilia
Peterson, at the time, was unaware that they allowed minors into the program and sought verification of this startling development. He contacted Exodus International (the world leader in ex-gayness) who, in turn, referred him back to (guess who?) John Smid. Via a chance encounter, Peterson ran into Smid in the Atlanta airport a few weeks back (literally days before the story broke here). Smid confirmed to Peterson that they had been accepting minors into the program against their will but did not elaborate on the presence of the 16-year-old female. Further, in regards to group sessions, Smid related that while teenagers are in some of those sessions I mentioned, adults do not actually talk about the issues directly -- only their feelings.
Peterson said, and I have to agree, "Folks at the BBC? Now would be a good time to let someone see that footage, please."
After the show, a whole crew (including the QAC, me, and one Abby Lady Cutie Troublemaker) headed to R.P. Tracks and loaded up on the equivalent of 11pm vegan heaven, sweet potato fries and BBQ tofu nachos. If I understood correctly, it was learned that many of LIA/R's statistics on homosexuality come from a group called (surprise!) International Organization of Heterosexual Rights. A quick Googling turned up this website which, after reading it, begs the question: I thought heterosexuals already HAVE all the rights?
If you are in Midtown this afternoon or tonight, I cannot recommend highly enough Peterson's show and showing your support to the MeDiA Co-op. It's FREE -- I mean, that's the lowest price in town, right?
posted by EJ at 6/25/2005 11:07:00 AM
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