The state of
Tennessee is investigating an abuse complaint filed against
an "ex-gay" group in Memphis that claims to turn gay teens
straight. The Department of Child Services says it received
a complaint about Love in Action, which runs an
outpatient therapy program. The complaint was screened
and enough substance was found to open an
investigation, state officials said. All other details are
confidential, and the state can't specify the nature
of the complaint or investigation, K. Danielle
Edwards, a DCS spokeswoman, said Thursday.
Love in Action, which runs a program for
children and teens called Refuge, said the
investigation is without merit and was filed anonymously
by someone with little knowledge of the program. "The
Internet accusations on holding kids without their
permission...and the other crazy allegations are
ridiculous," said John Smid, the group's executive director.
The group's work has been the focus of protest
by gay advocacy groups, who say it is dangerous and
irresponsible to engage in so-called "reparative
therapy." Earlier this month a blogger going by the
name of Zach said his parents were sending him to a
religious organization that would try to convert him
to heterosexuality. The teen identified himself as a
16-year-old from Bartlett and said his parents "tell
me that there is something psychologically wrong with me....
I'm a big screw-up to them, who isn't on the path God wants
me to be on. So I'm sitting here in tears...and I
can't help it."
Edwards said DCS can't say if its investigation
is related to that boy's situation or even specify
when the complaint was filed. But Smid says it is
connected. He said the accusation was likely filed by
someone who just read the blog and used it "as a
foundation to stir up a bunch of stuff." Added Smid:
"The doors are not locked down, and the kids are not
required to be here, and they come here with their parents."
The Web site for Refuge says it offers programs
ranging from two to six weeks in length. The group
says it "is a ministry designed to be a safe place for
young people and their families to find true freedom from
addictions through the power of Jesus Christ." It says it
can fix "addictive behaviors" such as pornography,
drugs, sexual promiscuity, and homosexuality. The cost
runs from $1,500 to $4,000, the Web site shows.
