Love in Action told: stop that lovin'

Love in Action, the christian anti-gay brainwashing outfit which claims to ‘cure’ those who aren’t heterosexual of their depraved desires, has been ordered to shut down its centres by the state of Tennessee.

For those who don’t know what Love in Action is, here is my previous post on its unlawful detention of a gay teenager unwilling to be brainwashed, here is the aftermath of his detention, and here is the previous MetaFilter discussion. A blog post tracking the issue, and an entire blog about protesting Love in Action. Back to the news:

The state inspected two facilities in Memphis on Aug. 19 and determined Love In Action International Inc. was providing housing, meals and personal care for mentally ill patients without a license, according to a subsequent letter to the organization from the Department of Mental Health.

The department gave Love In Action until Sept. 23 to cease operation of the facilities and apply for a state license.

Now, this is interesting. The Department wrote to Love in Action and closed it down over an objection that it was prescribing medication to people it had classified as mentally ill without a licence.

This could mean one of two things: that the Department is itself anti-gay, as it considers after investigating that Love in Action’s prisoners are mentally ill by virtue of their sexuality (which seems unlikely); or that it is simply using existing legislation in whatever way it can to close down an operation it considers to be heinous in nature (much more likely).

What is even more interesting is what will happen next. What of the people who have been mentally damaged by the cult’s ‘efforts’ thus far? Will they be interviewed by the State? Will they be offered treatment for post-traumatic stress? Will they be assisted to sue the holy asses off these discriminatory monsters?

Additionally, what of Love in Action itself? If you look at its website, and click through to the Refuge section, it is now conspicuously changed from what it was, to promote a more “we’re not just dealing with sexuality” standpoint. Crucially, a careful read reveals that the practice of gathering young LGB people away from their family for a week or more has been shelved — but for the present only, I suspect. It would be very easy for this operation to morph into a different name, a different organisation, move to a different state... I’ll keep you posted.

[love in action] [sexuality] [religion] [brainwashing]