Pray Away

⭐ 8.0/10

(Originally written by Beans)

This is a Netflix documentary about people who used to be leaders and speakers against the gay movement in America who promoted conversion therapy. All of the people featured had been queer, but were saved from their sin and then went on to have heterosexual relations and speak across the country at events.

I guess in Canada it’s a bit different because gay marriage has been legal for so long, but the reality of this battle between straight people and queer people is very evident in the states. All of the people featured who had previously been previously saved from their queer-ness now all identified as being queer.

I think the thing that struck me the most was that almost all queer people have this incredible amount of religious trauma. It’s so sad to think how the Jesus movement got there, but I also know it’s a complex issue. It seems almost every queer person has to unlearn religion at some point, and those that don’t often take their lives.

I think this was a good look into some big movements and names and how conversion therapy and that kind of shit just doesn’t work. It was less theology based and more a ‘where are they now’ type of doc. Another thing that really stuck out to me the most was one of the interviewees was accused of having blood on his hands because his terrible methods had turned some people to suicide. It was pretty heavy but important.