Last time, you escaped from Camp Whistler.
But no one ever leaves Abraham House.
Our exploration into the horrific world of conversion therapy and queer conversion camps continues with a discussion CHILDREN OF SIN written and directed by CHRISTOPHER WESLEY MOORE from HOMOS ON HAUNTED HILL.
When Emma's abusive new stepfather finds out she's pregnant and that her brother Jackson is gay, he ships them off to Abraham House where religious zealot Mary Esther promises to bring these sinners home to Jesus...one way or another.
I am once again joined by my very special guests the Reverend BEN FITZGERALD-FYE @pastorfabulous and TARA GARNER @tara_rahboomdeay.
CHILDREN OF SIN stars JO-ANN ROBINSON, MEREDITH MOHLER, LEWIS HINES, JEFF BUCHWALD, KENI BOUNDS and CHRISTOPHER WESLEY MOORE.
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SPEAK OUT AGAINST CONVERSION THERAPY
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Conversion therapy – sometimes called reparative therapy – is the discredited and harmful practice of attempting to change one’s sexual orientation or gender identity. This philosophy is based on wildly outdated notions and bigotry. It is currently legal to promote and engage in this dangerous technique. Youth often have no choice when this treatment is sought out by their parent or guardian, yet this practice can have detrimental impacts for years and decades to come.
Since 1975 – 44 years – the American Psychological Association has stated that homosexuality is not a mental illness, yet throughout our state organizations and individuals continue to masquerade “conversion therapy” as a legitimate and psychologically backed option for LGBTQ youth – to “cure” them of being who they are. In fact, all major mental health organizations have deemed conversion therapy as unethical, ineffective and dangerous to the well-being of clients.
This is an affront to thriving adult members of the LGBTQ+ community, and most importantly it is an attack on the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth. Fostering an environment in which LGBTQ+ youth are told they can be “cured,” or even suggesting that they need to be cured of something that is a natural part of who they are is the true psychological harm.
We believe that therapy shouldn’t become deadly; according to a 2019 article by USA Today, “Suicide attempts nearly tripled for LGBT young people who reported both home-based efforts to change their sexual orientation by parents and formal intervention efforts by external parties, such as therapists and religious leaders…” And data from the Pew Research Center notes that LGB youth are five times more likely to have attempted suicide than their heterosexual peers, and that 40% of transgender adults have attempted suicide (92% of those before the age of 25). Societal “norms” and pressures have an immense impact on our youth. It is the responsibility of our leaders to fight against adversity, protect our citizens, and create a brighter future for our children. We must do everything in our power to ensure those pressures don’t include state sanctioned emotional and mental abuse, such as conversion therapy
LGBTQ youth deserve to grow up in a world and have an environment in which they are encouraged to thrive, free from the constraints of a misinformed pseudo-medical community promising a chance to “cure” something that is not wrong with them.
National and international professional boards in the medical and psychological community agree; Conversion therapy has been condemned by The American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Medical Association, American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, American Counseling Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Psychoanalytic Association, Australian Psychological Society, British Psychological Association, Endocrine Society, National Association of Social Workers, Psychological Society of Ireland, Psychological Society of South Africa, and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health.
Twenty states and DC have already banned this harmful practice. I call on ours to join them in protecting our youth.
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Pastor and Spiritual Director
Born in Punxsutawney, PA, Pastor Ben is the pastor of Scipioville Presbyterian Church in the Finger Lakes area of New York State. He is also the Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Cayuga-Syracuse (which means nothing outside of Presby world) and a spiritual director. He has an undergraduate degree in theater performance from Seton Hill College and a Master of Divinity degree from Dubuque Seminary.
Pastor Ben's LOVE of horror films began the first time his grandma let him stay up to watch the late-night movie. After that, he and grams watched horror films together all the time. As a pastor, the interest in horror films evolved into an interest in the theological themes in horror movies like redemptive violence, demonic activity, the nature of evil, and so on...
Pastor Ben has been active in anti-gun violence work, domestic violence awareness, church inclusion, and the LGBTQIA rights movement. He lives with his husband of 18 years, Sean, and their 4 cat children Tosca, Lucy, Sahara, and baby boy Tormund.
If you're new to the show, here are some great episodes to start you out with,