COALITION OF LGBTQIA+, ADVOCACY, & FAITH ORGANIZATIONS TO HOST PRAY AWAY FILM SCREENING & PANEL TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE HARM OF ANTI-LGBTQIA+ “CONVERSION THERAPY”
For Immediate Release Contact: Chesley Hinds
May 19, 2023 Office: 512-463-0613
Chesley.Hinds@House.Texas.gov
(AUSTIN, TX) ⸺ This LGBTQIA+ Pride month, LGBTQIA+, advocacy, academic, & faith groups are joining
together to co-host an Austin film screening of the Netflix documentary PRAY AWAY and panel discussion about
the dangerous practice of “conversion therapy”. PRAY AWAY chronicles the rise of the so-called “ex-gay
movement” and its ongoing legacy of harm by exploring the narratives of the movement’s former leaders and
survivors of “conversion therapy”.
WHEN: Tuesday, June 21, 2022, 6:00-9:00 PM
WHERE: The University of Texas at Austin
REGISTRATION: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/austin-pray-away-screening-discussion-tickets-354110583287
The screening will begin at 6:00 pm followed by a speaking program that features survivors of “conversion therapy”,
mental health experts, LGBTQIA+ advocates, and faith leaders who will reflect on the themes of the film,
LGBTQIA+ identities, spirituality, healing, and the work to end “conversion therapy” in Texas. Speakers include
State Rep. Celia Israel and First Austin Rev. Dr. Griff Martin. Shae Washington, Impact Producer for Multitude
Films, will moderate the panel. Panelists include Author and Faith Leader Jen Hatmaker, PRAY AWAY Consulting
Producer and Survivor Myles Markham, Government Affairs Director for Equality Texas, Rachel Hill, and Trevor
Project Senior Fellow of Advocacy and Government Affairs, Casey Pick.
This free event is being hosted by Multitude Films, the Texas House LGBTQ Caucus, the Office of State
Representative Celia Israel, First Austin Church, and First United Methodist Church of Austin. Co-sponsors include
Equality Texas, Human Rights Campaign, Mama Bears, National Association of Social Workers-Texas Chapter,
Texas Freedom Network, The University of Texas at Austin Center for Women’s and Gender Studies, and the
University of Texas at Austin LGBTQ Studies Program.
Rep. Celia Israel and the Texas House LGBTQ Caucus have fought in multiple legislative sessions to ban the
abusive practices associated with “conversion therapy” for minors by licensed practitioners in Texas. In the 86th
legislative session in 2019, these efforts garnered a public hearing before this critical legislation was stalled in
committee. While over 20 states have passed bills to protect LGBTQIA+ youth from “conversion therapy”,
the fight to achieve similar success in our state continues.
Download this press release: