We’re learning a bit more about the crazy pray-away-the-gay camp where Supergirl actor Jeremy Jordan’s cousin was being held. According to reports, it’s called Heartlight Ministries Boarding School in Hallsville, Texas, and it’s “a destination for teens to heal and grow.”
Uh huh. Grow crazy and resentful, maybe. As we all know, ex-gay camps are nothing short of abuse and snake oil, with no evidence that they actually work. (There is of course lots of evidence that they employ hilariously insane phony “treatments” that actually cause harm.)
Jeremy’s cousin Sarah apparently tried to escape from the facility shortly after being locked up, but guards caught and punished her according to a GoFundMe page. In Texas, 17-year-olds are considered adults but the law allows them to be forced into boarding facilities until they turn 18.
Sarah was released yesterday, according to an update, but little is known about her condition.
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Here’s what we do know: Heartlight Ministries’ website says that it founded in 1988 by Mark and Jan Gregston. Mark is a notorious homophobe, saying bullshit like “I understand homosexuality is a very sensitive issue for many people. But as Christian parents, we cannot be afraid to get involved in this ongoing discussion. Your teens are hearing from the culture about homosexuality. But what are they hearing from you?”
On their website, Heartlight confirmed that they had an inmate who was getting a lot of media attention, and denied that they do any ex-gay treatments. But they also call homoexuality a sin, and there are extensive reports of the girl fighting with her parents over her sexuality. What we’re probably looking at is a camp that doesn’t necessarily specialize in ex-gay abuse, but instead just berates kids with general homophobic rhetoric. Either way, it’s incredibly cruel.
The Texas GOP recently added a plank to the party platform that defended ex-gay torture treatments, and a bill to outlaw the practice is expected soon. It’s chances of succeeding in the generally homophobic state aren’t great, but maybe high-profile cases like this one will improve the likelihood of passage.
Brian
Does anybody really believe this story? I don’t.
KevinG
@Brian: What are you referring to when you say “this story”? That Sarah was sent there against her will? That she was sent there because she’s a lesbian? That she was sent there at all? That they’re a harmful organization? Your comment was rather vague. But I believe in Jeremy Jordan, if that’s what you’re asking.
Brian
@KevinG: I very rarely believe anything a celebrity says.
Gigi Gee
@Brian: I don’t believe anything that you say.
Roan
People at this “boarding school” are called inmates?
lykeitiz
I just wish Jeremy Jordan would come sit on my face & tell me all about it.
ProfessorMoriarty
My hometown (which I escaped from 30 years ago) is near Hallsville, and unfortunately this is entirely believable. Northeast Texas is filled with beautiful piney wood forests and some of the most homophobic Christian kooks I’ve ever witnessed. Notoriously insane Congressman Louie Gohmert represents these backwards hicks and he keeps getting re-elected by them every other year, so I think that tells you everything you need to know about this miserable corner of the country.
Malcolm Forest
I believe Brian is slowly coming to terms with the fact he is a Gay Man. He is struggling with his sexuality and fighting with it, but the fact he is reaching out on this website shows Brian subconsciously wants us to help him accept his true sexuality.
Go Brian!! You are Gay and Proud!!!!
jag4313
I have family that lives in that part of Texas and out there they sure are homophobic. My family is completely “normal”, but most residents of East Texas are quite scary. This would be the perfect place to set up a conversion center.