I am writing this, I guess to help me find my words. No. To allow me to use my voice. Yesterday I shared the trailer for 'Boy Erased'. I stated the importance of this film and I'd like to reiterate that now; this film is so important! Boy Erased is based on the true story told in Garrard Conley's book of the same name. Simply, it is about a gay man that comes out to his parents and ends up in a conversion therapy camp.
Earlier this year the UK government announced that it was making plans to outlaw conversion / 'curative' therapies. A step in the right direction if you ask me. Conversion therapy seeks to convert an individual that identifies as a homosexual to the 'natural' ways of heterosexuality. It may surprise you to know this is not a thing of the past. In fact, it still continues to this day. In the UK and around the world. It is still legal in 36 states across the U.S.
I think conversion therapy is damaging and does more harm than good. There is ZERO evidence to support conversion therapy as a sound therapy that works.
Boy Erased is so important because I believe it will open people's eyes to the reality of these harmful 'therapies'. It will start a wave of voices that have never been heard before. The silenced will be heard! The stories of countless people in the LGBTQ+ community will be told. Film has the power to do that...
Stories like my own are being given a platform.
For those that don't already know, I am a gay man, surprise! When I was 16 years old I sought guidance in my church. The conflicting emotions I had then between religion and my sexuality were so overwhelming that I could not find the surface. I was drowning in my own misery. The guidance I got led me to an exorcism. That was my 'conversion therapy'. It began as a conversation. Then there was a simple prayer and slowly but surely voices got louder, the grip of hands on my shoulders and scalp got tighter, and the commands for the demon of homosexuality to exit my body were given! The shouts repeated several times. I can still taste the snot and tears that poured from my face. Those minutes dragged for a millennium or so it seemed. I was inconsolable. I still feel the pain of that day.
These past seven years have been a continuous introspective journey for me. Self-love was hard to find. It became a daily practice. It still is sometimes.
This is an all too familiar story in my community. Too many people have suffered, too many people have anxiety and depression, and too many beautiful souls have taken their own lives. I hope this film will speak to everyone. I do mean EVERYONE. On both sides of this. I hope it opens healthy dialogue amongst people that might not see eye to eye but are willing to talk and more importantly listen. It is okay to disagree, just agree to disagree, it's easier than you think.
Love and Hugs,
Connor
P.S. If you want to read more on this I can recommend 'Boy Erased' by Garrard Conley and 'Undivided' by Vicky Beeching.
