Welcome to Thrive…

Hi! My name is Randy, and my memoir titled WHY: A Memoir. In a nutshell, the memoir covers my life in that I survived abuse only to live a lie before learning to thrive as my true self. That’s a perfect summation of the book, which is another effort to inspire and empower other LGBTQ+ to escape religious stigma and love themselves and others.

Also, I was featured in the award-winning documentaries Pray Away and For They Know Not What They Do. My story reveals the struggle of coming to terms with being a gay man of an evolving faith. In my former career as Randy Thomas (now Scobey), I served as the last Executive Vice President of Exodus International. In this role, I contributed to several books, was featured in The Los Angeles Times, and was interviewed by worldwide media outlets as a lead spokesperson for the organization I would eventually help shut down. We announced Exodus was closing on June 19th, 2013. As my entire world blew up in front of me, it was one of the best days of my life.

Since embracing my life and truth, while walking out my healing, I have tried to help others find the next right step in their journey. I have also worked passionately against the toxic ideology that underlies conversion therapy—especially in its “pastoral” form of exgay ministry. Ultimately, my story proves that the proverbial “stained glass closet” does not match authentic love.

Today, I live with my husband Dan, our daughter, and two fur babies in the suburbs of Orlando.

I may not know the specific questions, experiences, or beliefs you bring to this space, but I’m glad you’re here. This is a place for us to journey and communicate together.