Teenage blogger
released from "ex-gay" camp

Six weeks after he caused a national sensation with his Web log about being forced by his parents into an "ex-gay" camp, 16-year-old Zach of Memphis appears to be out. Before his parents sent him to the ministry, called Refuge, Zach used his blog to express his despair. On Monday he broke a six-week silence, posting his seemingly conflicted feelings upon his release from the program.

Zach now says that "homosexuality is still a factor in my life--it's not who I am, it never has been." He also claims that Love in Action, the group that runs Refuge, has been misrepresented. But he stood behind his original posts, which questioned the program and its methods. Zach deleted the original Web log entries that received national media attention.

Zach declared that he had not been brainwashed by the program, adding that he thinks he is going to be OK. He showed appreciation for the messages and responses left by people concerned for his well-being but said he will not be pressured to make a response of any kind.

Refuge, operated by Memphis-based Love in Action International, had been the focus of a state child welfare investigation into allegations of child abuse, but the investigation was closed because no evidence was found to support the charges. Love in Action spokesman Gerard Wellman said he is working with the state department of health to resolve other concerns about the licensing of its substance-abuse treatment program. But Wellman added that as a faith-based organization, Refuge is not required to be licensed. (Sirius/OutQ)