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    teamPenguinAnna Merlan
    6/09/16 5:12pm

    “It has nothing to do with her sexuality.”

    But per the article in the Statesman, “A legal filing says Sarah’s father and the family’s pastor admitted the goal of sending her to Heartlight is to change her sexual orientation.”

    So...bull shit, or bullshit?

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      Vox PopulistteamPenguin
      6/09/16 5:19pm

      Did that answer your question?

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      wishfulthinkingteamPenguin
      6/09/16 5:21pm

      Total bullshit. Though I do think there’s a rigidity to the “Born this way” narrative, for idiots like this pastor and the cruelty of her parents, it’s best for them to just let it sink into their thick skulls that sexual orientation is a trait in the same way eye color is - inherent and immutable.

      My concession is only that I have known people in my life who have been functionally straight and in love and birthed families and then later been in committed same sex relationships. I don’t think it’s fair to either their straight or same sex counterparts to call them “really” one way or another while they were with their partner. People have been known to change orientation... But FUCK conversion therapy!!! It’s better that the other side doesn’t know about this nuance.

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    Paranoid Android (sometimes says dumb things)Anna Merlan
    6/09/16 5:22pm

    The Austin-American Statesman spoke to Sarah’s mother, who confirmed Sarah was sent away, but strongly denied it was for being gay: “It has nothing to do with her sexuality.” She said Sarah would be “heartbroken” if she knew she was “being misrepresented in this way.”

    Wow, lady...you’re delusional. Do you really think that the child you sent to “pray away the gay” camp would be heartbroken over your embarrassment? She’s a great student with no disciplinary problems...unless standing up against bigotry is a discipline problem?

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      opheeliaParanoid Android (sometimes says dumb things)
      6/09/16 5:26pm

      Besides, Sarah isn’t being “misrepresented.” That sounds a lot like “SHE’S NOT REALLY GAY YOU GUYS.”

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      Paranoid Android (sometimes says dumb things)opheelia
      6/09/16 5:37pm

      It really sounds like the parents are upset that Sara’s got a pretty strong backbone despite the fact that they’ve been trying to break her will. The girl came out in Texas, against her ultra conservative parents will. The parents are too ignorant and stubborn to realize how great of a kid they’ve got despite the way she was raised.

      I’ve had battles against my parents but I didn’t have living in a super conservative town, surrounded by bigots to weigh me down. Sara is impressive and is meant for bigger things that will no doubt embarrass her parents several more times.

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    SipowitzAnna Merlan
    6/09/16 5:12pm

    “Your teen needs to know they are safe and loved, regardless of their lifestyle choices or beliefs,”

    And what better way to show them that love than to send them away from their family, friends, and entire high school life at the drop of a hat.

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      Adrastra, patron saint of snarkSipowitz
      6/09/16 5:17pm

      This girl is extremely lucky that she’s got a fair few awesome family members, especially a cousin who is willing to use his celebrity to help her however he can. Everyone here who isn’t this girl’s parents seem to be completely awesome and wonderful people.

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      Vox PopulistSipowitz
      6/09/16 5:18pm

      Tough love is the best love. It’s the Christian thing to do, silly.

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    VoteyMcVotefaceThePartyVoteDriverAnna Merlan
    6/09/16 5:11pm
    GIF

    The smell of bullshit coming from the “ministry”is strong. One day after a social media outcry here and Twitter and who knows where else, they suddenly announce she has left? Whatever, no one buys it. But at least she’s out of that shit hole.

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      iElvis is Now Funded by Peter ThielVoteyMcVotefaceThePartyVoteDriver
      6/09/16 5:13pm

      It’s good to see Canada standing with us in this difficult time.

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      TrasnoVoteyMcVotefaceThePartyVoteDriver
      6/09/16 6:25pm

      She in not in Heartlight, but that doesn’t mean that she is not being mistreated by her parents now, or that they can’t send her to other center to “cure” her. She is still not 18 and her parents still have custody.

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    Lizabethie: of the New WorldAnna Merlan
    6/09/16 5:13pm

    So... I read this entire story as “Parents, you have to get your kid out of here, because your family is bringing too much heat on us! We just want to keep make money scamming fanatical homophobic suckers like you guys for the long term!” and “It’s OK for us to be known as these bigots in our family, but we don’t want everyone in America with a clue about social justice knowing we’re assholes!”

    WTF, parents! Love your kids, is it that fucking hard? Also, how the hell does this place get to stay open, when conversion therapy has been roundly debunked?!? I sure as shit hope it’s not covered by insurance!

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      SheeshTheseNamesLizabethie: of the New World
      6/09/16 5:22pm

      Oh, silly Lizabethie, the fact that conversion therapy doesn’t work and is in fact harmful means nothing. The kind of people who would send their children to a place like this don’t care about science, or empirical evidence of any kind. This place is probably listed as a religious counseling organization, so they can do whatever they want. Isn’t America great?

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      DoobyOneLizabethie: of the New World
      6/09/16 6:15pm

      Bingo. The modern day internet can fuck your shit up. They were wise to get her out of there to keep their scam going.

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    OverlySexualizedVelociraptorAnna Merlan
    6/09/16 5:22pm

    Is it really better to have no contact and only resentment from your child than to accept the fact they’re gay and be a part of their life? This is a disconnect I just don’t get.

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      justthisonereallyOverlySexualizedVelociraptor
      6/09/16 6:48pm

      For some people yes, because in their mind they are saving their child from a lifetime of misery and an eternity of damnation. By forcing them to change or be cut-off forever, they are pressuring them to return to the righteous path. There are some families that take the still messed-up but at least it’s something middle ground of being in total denial, ignoring the HRC equality sign bumper stickers, and referring to their kid’s partners as roommates or “special friends” and knowing to always set a place for said special friend or long-term roommate at holiday dinners. Other parents would rather try to do everything in their power to “save” their kid by forcing them into a certain mold no matter what the consequences.

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      SGlazeOverlySexualizedVelociraptor
      6/09/16 10:07pm

      I often hear ‘this is the worst news I could receive about my child’... really? REALLY?? The WORST thing? Terminal cancer? Paralyzed in a car crash? Meh... at least they’re straight. :/ :/ :/

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    WhiskeyprayerAnna Merlan
    6/09/16 5:09pm


    Wonder Twins Power Unite! Shap of: Intense Scrutiny Due To Negative Publicity

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      Flying SquidWhiskeyprayer
      6/09/16 5:14pm

      Sir or madam, I am highly offended by your post. Everyone knows that Wonder Twin Jayna can only turn into animals and Wonder Twin Zan can only turn into forms of water. You anti-exxorian bigots are all the same. How dare you.

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      Angie GFlying Squid
      6/09/16 8:12pm

      I bow to your superior knowledge in all things Wonder Twins. I am impressed beyond measure.

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    Flying SquidAnna Merlan
    6/09/16 5:09pm

    So glad she is out, but so sad for all the many others who are still forced into these things. They should not even be legal.

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      hvnlysmileFlying Squid
      6/09/16 5:12pm

      She’s out but where to? I hope she’s with loving people protecting her now.

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      Flying Squidhvnlysmile
      6/09/16 5:15pm

      Her parents are horrible abusive people, but she has several loving relatives (including a cousin who is an actor on Supergirl) who were behind this GoFundMe, so I think she will, thankfully, be with some people who love her now.

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    AnnieW50Anna Merlan
    6/09/16 5:20pm

    And this is why I hate “incorrigibility” laws.

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      Mary, Queen of ScoffsAnnieW50
      6/09/16 5:28pm

      There are laws against “incorrigibility”? Shit. I am in trouble then. I hope there aren’t any laws against being cantankerous.

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      AnnieW50Mary, Queen of Scoffs
      6/09/16 5:31pm

      If you’re an old, like me, we’re safe. A teen? Not so much in many states.

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    courtAnna Merlan
    6/09/16 5:18pm

    Sarah’s extended family are bad ass motherfuckers and their unconditional love will be her sanctuary. I’d love to buy them all a drink and shake their hands. They have saved this beautiful girls life.

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