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(Washington) A teenager who caused an
international stir among LGBT groups after writing in a Web log that he was
being sent against his will to a camp run by a group called “Love in Action
International” to "cure" him of his homosexuality has returned home
and a new controversy appears to be emerging.
Zack Stark, 16, in his first entry in the log
since leaving the camp writes that "Love In Action" has been
misrepresented and what I have posted in my blogs has been taken out of
perspective and context."
He goes on to say that he isn't taking back the
things he earlier wrote but that they have been removed from the blog.
"I refuse to deal with people who are only
focused on their one-sided (biased) agendas. It isn't fair to anyone. I'm very
frustrated with the things going on in my life now, but everyone has their
issues. Homosexuality is still a factor in my life--- it's not who I am, it
never has been. Those of you who really know me, know that homosexuality was
always there but it didn't run my life, and it will not now."
The 16 year old says that he does not believe
he's been brainwashed. "It's almost insulting, thinking about it, to be
brainwashed," he writes.
"I think that I'm going to be ok," he
said.
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and
Gays has called for an ongoing and substantive discussion about the effects of
"reparative therapy" on young people and their families
"As families who have faced these very
issues in our own lives, we must give Zach and his family the space and privacy
they need to deal with this situation," said Jody Huckaby, PFLAG's
executive director shortly before the teen left the camp.
"We also must insist, as allies and
advocates for our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) loved ones, that
'reparative therapy' programs are not allowed to prosper unchallenged at the
expense of our family members and friends."
While Zack was at the camp near Memphis,
Tennessee his father, Joe Stark, in an interview with the Christian Broadcasting
Network, said that he did nothing wrong in sending the teen to the camp against
his will. (story)
"But until he turns 18 and he's an adult in
the state of Tennessee, I'm responsible for him. And I’m going to see to it
that he has all options available to him,” he told the network.
Following protests by LGBT groups the state of
Tennessee launched two investigations of the camp.
The Department of Children's Services said it
found no signs of child abuse. (story)
The second probe, by the state Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities
Department, focused on Love in Action's counseling in drug and alcohol
addiction. State officials say they can't do that without a license.
The investigation was ended when the group said
it would change its Web site wording and direct clients to established, off-site
drug and alcohol counseling services. (story)
Love In Action is one of several so-called ex-gay
organizations throughout the country.
The American Psychiatric Association and the
American Psychological Association both have said such therapy can be
emotionally harmful, leading to depression and self-destructive behavior.
©365Gay.com 2005
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