Pray Away Goes Deep Into the 'Ex-Gay' Movement That Began in the '70s

The new Netflix documentary Pray Away examines the Exodus "ex-gay" movement that was founded in the '70s by five men in the evangelical church who sought to pray the gay away.

Once word got out about the group that was seeking to exit the "homosexual lifestyle," the men received more than 25,000 letters from folks hoping to do the same, and it spurred the formation of Exodus International, the largest and most controversial conversion therapy organization in the world, according to the film's synopsis.

The synopsis for the film from executive producers Ryan Murphy and Jason Blum reads:

"But leaders struggled with a secret: their own 'same-sex attractions' never went away. After years as Christian superstars in the religious right, many of these men and women have come out as LGBTQ, disavowing the very movement they helped start. Focusing on the dramatic journeys of former conversion therapy leaders, current members, and a survivor, Pray Away chronicles the 'ex gay' movement's rise to power, persistent influence, and the profound harm it causes."

Pray Away is directed by Kristine Stolakis and drops on Netflix August 3.