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Pray Away

Pray Away

20216.71h 41m

Overview

In the 1970s, five men struggling with being gay in their Evangelical church started a bible study to help each other leave the "homosexual lifestyle." They quickly received over 25,000 letters from people asking for help and formalized as Exodus International, the largest and most controversial conversion therapy organization in the world. But leaders struggled with a secret: their own “same-sex attractions” never went away. After years as Christian superstars in the religious right, many of these men and women have come out as LGBTQ, disavowing the very movement they helped start. Focusing on the dramatic journeys of former conversion therapy leaders, current members, and a survivor, PRAY AWAY chronicles the “ex gay" movement’s rise to power, persistent influence, and the profound harm it causes.

Directed by Kristine Stolakis
Produced by Kristine Stolakis, Jessica Devaney, Anya Rous
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Top Cast

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Julie Rodgers

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R

Randy Thomas

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Yvette Cantu Schneider

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John Paulk

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Jeffrey McCall

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Alan Chambers

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Themes & Keywords

homophobiaguiltlgbtwoman directorconversion therapy

About Pray Away

Pray Away is a documentary film released in 2021 exploring themes of homophobia, guilt, lgbt, woman director, conversion therapy. Directed by Kristine Stolakis, it stars Julie Rodgers, Randy Thomas, Yvette Cantu Schneider. In the 1970s, five men struggling with being gay in their Evangelical church started a bible study to help each other leave the "homosexual lifestyle." They quickly received over 25,000 letters from people asking for help and formalized as Exodus International, the largest and most controversial conversion therapy organization in the world. But leaders struggled with a secret: their own “same-sex attractions” never went away. After years as Christian superstars in the religious right, many of these men and women have come out as LGBTQ, disavowing the very movement they helped start. Focusing on the dramatic journeys of former conversion therapy leaders, current members, and a survivor, PRAY AWAY chronicles the “ex gay" movement’s rise to power, persistent influence, and the profound harm it causes.

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