Afternoon Demonstration of Love In Action Update.

The afternoon protest was incredible. We had the largest turnout since the protests began. Pictures will be posted sometime tomorrow. We just want to thank everyone for having the love, and courage to come out and stand up for what they believe to be right. We thank Bruce, and Bob for traveling from across the country to come and show their support. We thank Bob P, a former client, and staff member of LIA for having the great strength to come and stand alongside everyone and show his presence. To Lance Carroll, we cannot say thankyou enough for being so incredibly strong, and caring...and to Lance's many friends who drove to Tennessee in support of their very loving friend as he told his his story to all of us. This day is not to be forgotten. So many individuals...especially those allies who may not identify as a marginalized minority of any sorts, but in their hearts knew it was right to come out and show their support. It brings great joy to us to see such incredible outreach in our city. It was also nice to hear the ever-encouraging words of support from Peterson Toscano, which came via Bob P's telephone.

We also would like to thank a particular current staff member of LIA who came forth and respectfully showed care for Lance. One might have thought more LIA staff members would've lended such words of care, and concern for an individual who spent two months inside their facilities, and then experienced traumatic times since. We are, afterall, all children of this world, and indeed deserve the respect of those we've spent such precious time around. Hopefully Lance's story will be one of hope to those who may experiece similar situations in their lives. One reporter questioned Lance about the effectiveness of these demonstrations, and in response, he recounted the hope he felt last summer when he saw, and heard those gathered outside. "It gave me ease to know that I was not alone in what I was feeling during those sessions...and maybe now I can also offer this sense of ease to others who may be where I was."

Although we cannot confirm this, we were told today that so far, there are no teenage participants attending Love In Action's Refuge program.

Lance will be flying to Washington, DC, to tell his story infront of national news outlets on Wednesday, at the National Press Club, for the launch of "Truth Wins Out", a new national organization founded by Wayne Besen, author of "Anything But Straight". The organization's goal is to help share stories from those affected by "ex-gay" organizations, and to monitor/educate the public about the strategies they are using to spread their messages.

We wish Lance the best, and thank him for a brave return to Memphis, which he described as "therapeutic."