This FAQ is designed to answer questions you may have regarding the movement characterized, "Free Zach". If you cannot find a suitable answer or wish to speak in more depth about a related issue, please use the forums in the MySpace group.
Table of Contents
1. Who is Zach?
2. What's the camp all about?
3. So does this camp actually work?
4. So why would a teen want to go here?
5. Why would a parent send their child into such a damaging place?
6. Can't the government stop them?
7. When will Zach be released?
8. When was this story released?
9. What can I do?
10. Links
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1. Who is Zach?
Zach is a teen who, after revealing his gay sexuality to his parents, was sent to a camp which claims to "cure" homosexuality. Zach managed to describe his situation prior to his admission to the camp in his personal blog.
While Zach is indeed a teen we wish to "free", he also and more accurately represents all those within the camp who are there against their will, needing to be freed.
2. What's the camp all about?
The "Refuge" camp, as it is called, is run by fundamentalist Christian group, Love In Action (acronym LIA). As said before, the camp's purpose "curing" gay people.
3. So does this camp actually work?
No. In the first place, being gay is not a disease, as all accredited psychological organizations agree. Telling a child that their sexuality is a sickness which needs to be corrected is just plain mean, not to mention psychologically damaging.
Secondly, the majority of those who have come out of the camp entertain a small period of time in which they appear to act heterosexual. Then it's gone, and they realize that they are gay, and always will and shall be. Indeed, the truth is, you are who you are. All that these attendees have potentially gained is a scarred psychology, nothing better.
4. So why would a teen want to go here?
Well, one cannot speak for all those attending, but from what has been derived, the vast majority of those at the camp are not there of their own accord. Basically, their parents said "You are going here whether you like it or not. Period."
5. Why would a parent send their child into such a damaging place?
Again, it would be unfair to generalize. It's likely that the parents are just scared though. It must be remembered that we are all human, even them. Most parents have built in their mind a future for their children which they are striving for them to follow. Some imagine a heterosexual future for their children and when they realize this will not become reality, they feel they must correct the 'mistake'. So they will go to any resort to make sure their children live up to their heterosexual dream.
6. Can't the government stop them?
Well, they COULD, but it would be quite the fiasco for the government; likely religious fundamentalists would label an action against the camp as a violation of separation of church and state. However, it cannot be stressed enough that this is much more an issue of the impediment of basic human rights rather than an issue of religion.
7. When will Zach be released?
Originally, Zach was sentenced to two weeks at Refuge.On Friday the 17th, we learned that Zach had been committed to six more weeks from the date.
8. When was this story released?
The story was first released on June 4th, 2005 by cherrybloss.org. Afterwards, the Queer Action Coalition (acronym QAC), began physically protesting the actions locally at Refuge in Memphis, Tennessee, which they continue to do on a regular basis.
9. What can I do?
WRITE! One of the great advantages of the internet is instant communication, across infinite terrestrial distances. Contact your leaders, news stations, newspapers, and celebrities. Many links and suggestions are available on the Free Zach MySpace group homepage.
WORD OF MOUTH! Don't be afraid to let people know about this! Be a catalyst of vital information!
PROTESTING! Peaceful--mind you. If you are located in or near Memphis, Tennessee where Refuge is, join the Queer Action Coalition as they physically protest the camp every day!
ART! Express yourself and how this whole struggle makes you feel--and, if you wish, share! Art has been known for all of human time to be a mover of people, a great motivator.
These, of course, do not likely represent all that which you can do, but is intended to give you some ideas. And always remember--violence in this instance can only hurt us (and others). A single human with peace in their heart and love in their soul can revolutionize more than a thousand humans with a million bombs in their arsenal.
