A woman who escaped the Church of Scientology has come forward to tell her story in a new book. This time, the tale has a twist: she escaped because she came out of the closet.
According to her memoir Perfectly Clear, Michelle LeClair had already become one of the most successful women in America when she joined the controversial church, known for its celebrity clientele, science fiction mythology and exorbitant fees it charges parishioners to join. The price tag posed no issue for LeClair, proprietor of an insurance business valued in the millions. At the time she joined, LeClair was also married to a man. They had four children together.
LeClair claims she spent roughly $5 million during her time with the church, until she came to the realization that she was actually a lesbian. At that point, she divorced her husband and met her now-partner, Tena Clark. LeClair then tried to leave the church over its view that homosexuality is a disease caused by aliens (seriously), curable through a pseudoscientific process known as “auditing.” She then found herself the target of a broad intimidation conspiracy.
Related: A Horrifying Look Inside The Church Of Scientology’s Jail For Gays
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
“From the moment I decided to publicly leave, my life unspooled as if I were in a suspense novel,” LeClair writes in her memoir. “Strange cars idled at the curb by my home at all hours of the day. Men wearing dark glasses followed me to the grocery store, my kids’ school. My computer and my phone [were] hacked.”
LeClair also found herself in legal jeopardy with the state of California, which accused her of running a Ponzi scheme. She claims Scientology helped incite the suit, which dragged on for six years, cost LeClair millions of dollars and ultimately forced her to shutter her business. In 2017, the court dropped the charges.
Now LeClair lives a happy, out life with her female companion and children. Officials for the Church of Scientology deny intimidating or otherwise harassing Michelle LeClair, as well as denying that the church has any opposition to different sexual orientations. That denial comes as something of a surprise, since Scientology has a long history of anti-gay teaching.
Billy Budd
These people are nuts and they are a dangerous cult. People are brainwashed and taken away from their families.
fur_hunter
Billy…..You are so correct. Oh….and I have heard that they also make you sign over virtually everything you own to them.
QueerTruth
By nature – all organized religion is a cult. All religions are asking “believers” to follow a set of principles on how to live according to some “holy spirit(s)” with omnipotent powers, all of whom cannot be seen, heard, or touched. They call it “faith”. I call it “imaginary cults”.
fur_hunter
This cult….oh…I mean religious sect is as bad as the Morons…oh…I mean Mormons. South Park did a few episodes on each of them and made it so clear as to the absurdity of them both. South Park pointed out so many ‘dumb de dumb dumb dumb’ things about Joseph Smith and his ‘gold leaves’, I was on the floor, laughing my @$$ off. And Tom Cruise and John Travolta in the closet in the Scientology episode had me screaming out and laughing at the same time. “Oh…WOW! Can they really do that without getting the $H!T sued out of them?” Christianity isn’t far behind with that book I call the BuyBull. It WAS NOT written or influenced by God. It was totally written by MEN. When will imbeciles understand that??? There is NO proof at all that God had ANYTHING to do with it. It is total hearsay stories, none of which are substantiated by any unbiased and legitimate historical writings. Yep. It is full of BULL and so many people BUY into it.
Gary Q VV
thanks for sharing the ‘real’ truth. Gary Q
dinard38
I saw that episode of South Park and I too was on the floor LMAO!!!! I got so tickled at the beginning of the episode when they depicted the actual beliefs of Scientology and added a disclaimer at the bottom of the screen that “this is what they actually believe. We’re not making this up.” LOL!!!
And the Tom Cruise and John Travolta “in the closet” joke was brilliant. I saw an interview with Matt Parker and Trey Stone about this episode. They originally wanted to call Travolta and Cruise gay, but the lawyers were like….NO WAY!!! They’ll sue us. You know how militant Cruise is in going after anyone who accuses him of being gay. So Trey and Matt came up with this workaround, which, IMO, made it MUCH, MUCH more funnier.
This cult is really dangerous. Have you watched Leah Remini’s documentary on the cult (i can’t even pretend to call this a church)? The stories from ex-members were alarming!!! They literally had to escape from the cult. Most of them are cutoff from their families who are still in the cult. What kind of “church” would make their parishioners disown their family if that family member leaves the church?
That cult must have lined the pockets of many politicians to obtain their 501(c)(3) status.
MacAdvisor
“In 2017, the court dropped the charges.”
Courts don’t drop charges, prosecuting attorneys do. Courts dismiss charges, either with or without prejudice (with prejudice means the charges cannot be dropped again, without means they can be). In civil cases, and the state can bring a civil case, there aren’t charges, but causes of action and they are dismissed.
Terrycloth
Once Tom Cruise leaves others will follow…yet its doubtful..hes been getting brainwashed by that cult since he was a teenager..he cant think for himself anymore..
jcoberkrom
Tom Cruise likes the adulation. Nothing to do with brainwashing. It’s ego. Well, and a VERY lonely and insecure person >
MacAdvisor
I do not know Mr. Cruise. I have never met him and he does not travel in my circle of friends. I like most of his movies and find him a good actor. Thus, I would be loath to comment on why he finds Scientology a help to him, but clearly he does. Given his choice of religion is his personal business and I don’t have him knocking on my door to give me a pamphlet about it, I think we should allow him his choice as he seems to be allowing us ours.
Gary Q VV
O’ Tommy Boy is in a soured pickle right up to his eyes. His forced outing has been contemplated by the knowing-crowd for many a year. Outing issues are delicate to some, delicious to others. But, exceptions to rules must favor the masses over the one. Selfish! Cruel! you say? Retuning to the Scientology v. LGBTQ+ kerfuffles that have been whirling amongst our community, my vote in the ballot box is “FOR” outings when only good-advancement for our fight for freedom, strength, acceptance, worth, unity, peace. Stop & think before reacting emotionally responding to my post. Fight-The-Power, Gary Q
JamJewel
While everyone agrees that Mr. Cruise is entitled by ego or brainwashing to his beliefs, everyone skirts the issue of him brainwashing his children to the extent that they disavowed the only Mother they knew. No wonder Katie didn’t want him anywhere near her daughter for any long periods of time. Pity all those enslaved – yes! actually enslaved in the 21st century – people…. all except the oligarchs, of course.
jcoberkrom
Ummm, not much new here except a different person.
Would be nice if there were some details!
rray63
If they are being kept prisoner against their will then how do they have to escape? If they are being kept against their will, wouldn’t that fall under our laws about unlawful imprisonment? I’m not getting it. No one makes you join the cult, do they? If it’s the children and again, unless they are doing something illegal, we have no more right to interfere than if they were Baptist or Catholic. Are we going to pass a law that says you can’t take your kids to church, that you have to wait until they are old enough to decide for themselves? If we do that then we have the government infringing on the church/state laws. Not that this stops our government from doing this, especially the more rabid conservative ones.
JamJewel
@rray63: Watch “Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath” for a fuller understanding of how they operate, how they enslave and imprison, how they make it difficult to leave, and how they harass you once you get out. Getting designated a church was their first smart move; making oligarchs their means of support was the next. The woman in this story lost $5M she gave them and everything else after she left just fighting for her right to exist. I know… I got out before they got a dime from me back in the 70s because I saw through the bullshit real quick. That auditing thingy is their methodology for getting all your deep dark secrets and then blackmailing you with it. Ask Tom and John.
Donston
Many ex members have noted “the churches’ homophobia throughout the years, as well as reiterating a lot of its general f-ed up practices. It seems like being a gay/homosexual/homo-dominant/homo-leaning Scientology member is perfectly fine so long as you’re not unabashedly out. That mentality also seems to extend to many parts of Hollywood and the entertainment system in general.
JamJewel
Maybe it was because I was poor back in the 70s why they didn’t care that this gay guy walked out, being unable to put up with their crap. [It constantly surprises me that people don’t see what’s going on in their initiation process!} I think they find out pretty quick if someone is gay then make the calculation on the financial advantage of allowing them to rise in the hierarchy, especially if the person is RICH and somewhat unsure of themselves/closeted. I’d bet there is at least one rich effeminate male and/or masculine female that they are “tolerating!” Note, LeClair, didn’t have problems until she wanted to leave, not because she came out.
Donston
Yes, the token minority in some position of power just to prove that the system is “open” to everyone is still very persistent stuff. A lot of Hollywood practices have influenced Scientology and vice versa. Have a couple of prominent unabashedly out/effeminate male/masculine female members who appear to be doing decently and you shield how difficult it is for everyone else and the overall prejudice. Their practices, particularly towards people who wish to leave the church aka no longer wishes to support their brand and give them money, is clearly f-ed up.
skywriter
I’ve worked as an actor in their productions and have never had an issue. Everyone I have worked with has been professional. The nicest people in the industry. Never has anyone ever tried to convert me or tell me about Scientology philosophies. I’m Catholic so I definitely know a not gay friendly religion. Although the US Catholic church is more progressive at least on the West coast. It doesn’t mean Leah and others haven’t been harassed. I’ve just not had any issues and enjoy working with them BUT have no desire to become a member.
MikeE
The difference between you and Leah and the others who’ve been harassed, is that they WERE members of the “church” and chose to leave it. You never were a member, they’d have no reason to harass you.
Also, they may not have tried to recruit you because possibly you’re not high enough on the totem pole for them? I’m not saying this as a put-down, but rather that Scientology likes to choose people who will be able to bring them in lots of cash and publicity.
Donston
They can’t be openly and directly be homophobic, especially to non-members. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have the foothold in the entertainment industry that they do. Plus, there are probably many chill and “accepting” members of the church themselves.
Not wanting out people in the church and harrassing ex member seems to have more to do with control and money than actual religious beliefs.
WiredAngel
Yeah…I suspect it was just because she decided to leave and take her money with her. How else could one explain a homophobic religion with closetted stars such as Cruise, Travolta, Smith, Hudson, Bergen, Ricky Martin etc as members or ex-members. ?
Donston
Well, there’s a lot of closeted people who are a part of Christian/Catholic churches. It seems many of these churches don’t care who you’re having sex and/or relationships with so long as you’re not out and don’t have an out same-sex relationship. For many it seems continuing to push their agenda and faith and continuing to bring them or make them money are bigger priorities. However, quite a few people have said that they left Scientology due to homophobia and wanting to be out. So, there’s clearly something there.
silveroracle
Went in for a “personality test” in one of the UK ones many years ago and was asked to buy a book.
I said that I was on the dole and I recon I was lucky to get away that easily.
Sam6969
It seems that if you did not buy the book, you did not pass the “personality test”.
mgconlan
Given that Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard drove his Gay son Quentin to suicide (this is documented in Russell Miller’s “black” biography of Hubbard, “Bare-Faced Messiah”), it is absolutely no surprise that Scientology today hounds and punishes its Queer members, not only while they’re in the church but even after they leave. Hubbard’s philosophy of “fair game” and Scientology’s no-holds-barred attacks on their apostates — including their successful destruction of Michelle LeClair’s business — could well have served as a model for Donald Trump.
Sam6969
Wherever they are they try to infiltrate political and judicial institutions to push their pawn forward and avoid being dissolved (as seen in various incidents during legal proceedings in Europe, including France). They are skillful and powerful manipulators. They are officially considered a dangerous cult in France and Germany. They can still exist as an organization, but under constant monitoring.
JJinAus
Scientology is really stupid. Unlike all the other religions….
woodroad34
Was any action taken towards Scientology; Stalking, persecution, harassment charges? How did the police decide on ponzi scheme crimes? If she didn’t do it, couldn’t the evidence point to someone else?
batesmotel
Well no offense, but everything she accuses them of isn’t news. Their tactics are pretty well known. One irony about the Scientology center is that the main big one is located in Hollywood, which is surrounded by gays.
tham
How is this a “church”