Life After "Pray Away"
So proud to be a part of this effort and its phenomenal success.
If you have been reading my ramblings for any length of time here or on Social Media, you know that I was a part of a documentary called “Pray Away.” It was bought by Ryan Murphy, Blumhouse Productions, and Netflix.
I was the first or second person the director, Kristine Stolakis, called back in 2016. I recommended everyone in the film except for Jeffrey McCall.
Kristine and her team followed Dan and I’s entire courtship and his proposing to me in NYC at Central Park. Then, they followed us, moving to Mount Dora, at Orlando Pride, and many interviews over the years in our home. It was a lot of footage, but only the first interview and some b-roll made it into the film as they decided to go with Julie Rodgers as the main story.
I was a little disappointed but not angry. It was Kristine’s project, so she could do it in whatever way she wanted. When I finally saw the documentary, I agreed they had made the right decision. There were some behind-the-scenes shenanigans (not my story to tell, none of my business), but what gigantic project like this doesn’t? Lol. But, overall, I think the documentary is perfect, powerful, and life-saving.
It premiered on August 3rd, 2021, for worldwide streaming on Netflix. The initial rush of media interviews and feedback from viewers, friends, families, and people I don’t know… was a little overwhelming. Some of the criticism of us was overly harsh and indulgent but expected. But, on the other hand, I genuinely empathized with much of what came my way.
But the most critical outcome of Pray Away I have seen from my limited perspective was the local viewings that have and will continue to happen in venues worldwide. We had one here at Joy MCC, and it was compelling. People are and will continue to heal from the trauma of conversion therapy due to the film. Others will be spared the damage and destruction the exgay ministry causes because the film exposes them to the toxic ideology that empowers religious stigma, and they will steer clear.
When I went to the film premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, the premiere party, and a lot of various interviews, I met several people who had connections with the publishing industry. I had written the brain dump of my memoir back in 2017. Still, as I saw many people rewriting history (so weird), I decided to dust it off and start poking around about how to find professional editing, a literary agent, and eventually a publisher.
Anne Heche’s (may she rest in peace) friend and rep, Heather Boylston, connected me with Martina Faulkner with IOM Media. I met them when I was on their podcast. That is the publisher I decided to go with because it felt SO right. I am excited for my memoir to be released next year.
Pray Away has won many awards and was nominated for best social issue documentary. It didn’t win, but wow! Great exposure means saving more lives.
This film is one of the most important projects I have been involved with. I am grateful and honored to have done so. If you haven’t watched it, it’s a difficult film to watch; very heartbreaking yet hopeful. But please watch it to learn the truth behind Exodus International. It shows that many of us who were written off as religious zealots who would never accept ourselves weren’t true.
Love and eye-opening tragedy changed our hearts and minds. Hopefully, others will be spared the tragedy and allow love to change their hearts and minds due to the film. Check it out if you haven’t already.
Thank you so much for your support.
