Tennessee: 'Close Down Your Ex-Gay Ministry!'

[kweerwolf]

The state Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities has ordered the closing of what it calls two unlicensed personal care facilities run by a Christian group that counsels gays to give up homosexuality.

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.

If the organization were to continue operating the facilities past the Sept. 23 deadline, it would face criminal penalties that include fines of up to $500 and six months in jail for each day the facilities are determined to be in violation of state laws.

Additionally, it has been revealed by former Love In Action victim Peterson Toscano that Love In Action's leader, John Smid, is misleading clients by falsely claiming to be a reverend. In fact, Smid has no such credentials and is not the holy man he purports to be.

http://www.waynebesen.com/2005/09/tennessee-close-down-your-ex-gay.html

This is wonderful news. Pressure needs to be kept on these "indoctrination centers" and they need to be closed down when they are found not to be in compliance with the law.

I can only hope the next step is prosecuting those who run programs such as these for fraud and, when appropriate, for human rights violation and even torture.

[mzteris]

1. WOOO-HOOOO!

Now, somebody sue the b@st@rd for everything he's got and then somebody else press charges and send him to jail!!!!!

[vptpt]

2. And to think it happened in Tennessee!

[Dark]

3. Hold on, what do they mean by 'mentally ill'. Tenn is a red state. . .nt

[Meldread]

4. Woohoo!!

At least some good came out of this. That poor kid, Zach... *sigh* He might never be right again.

[Maat]

5. Woohoo! This PFLAGer was one of the ones pushing for this type of action.

I was a social worker for seven years in California. I knew that this type of investigation was needed; I was positive that they did not have the requisite mental health professionals employed there.