Garrard Conley

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Garrard Conley
Born1984 or 1985 (age 38–39)
United States
Notable worksBoy Erased: A Memoir
Website
garrardconley.com

Garrard Conley (born 1984 or 1985[1]) is an American author and LGBTQ activist known for his autobiography Boy Erased: A Memoir, recounting his childhood as part of a fundamentalist family in Arkansas that enrolled him in conversion therapy. The book was adapted for the 2018 film, Boy Erased.[2]

Early life and education

Conley was raised first in Cherokee Village and then later in Mountain Home, Arkansas. His father is a Southern Baptist preacher and former car salesman. Garrard "spent years struggling to reconcile his sexuality with his faith".[1] His family had a house on Lake Thunderbird where Conley would spend time on their pontoon boat.[3]

He attended

Love in Action to undergo conversion therapy—the controversial pseudoscientific practice of trying to change someone's sexual orientation from homosexual to heterosexual using psychological or spiritual interventions—in 2004.[5] At Love in Action, he underwent treatments by John Smid, who later left the organization, disavowed conversion therapy, announced he was still gay and stated he had "never met a man who experienced a change from homosexual to heterosexual".[6]

Career

In 2016, Conley taught English literature at the American College of Sofia in Bulgaria.[3] He is the author of Boy Erased: A Memoir, which was based on his experiences at Love in Action.[7] The book was later adapted into the 2018 film Boy Erased by Joel Edgerton, with Lucas Hedges playing Conley.[8] He leveraged his newfound fame to "educate the public about the abusive practice of conversion therapy".[1] Conley released a four-episode podcast titled UnErased: The History of Conversion Therapy in America[9] shortly before the release of the film.[10] In 2018, Conley led GrubStreet's Memoir Incubator program.[11] He has continued to travel worldwide telling his story: in 2019, he presented to Southern Utah University, Equality Utah, venues in Germany and Switzerland, and gave a keynote speech for Iowa Safe Schools.[1]

In June 2019, to mark the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots,[12] Queerty named him one of the Pride50 "trailblazing individuals who actively ensure society remains moving towards equality, acceptance and dignity for all queer people".[1][13] Conley is an assistant professor of Creative Writing at Kennesaw State University.[14]

Personal life

Conley lives in New York City with his husband.[11][15]

Works

Novels

  • All the World Beside (March 26, 2024),
    ISBN 9780525537359

Non-fiction

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Reddish, David (May 14, 2019). "Garrard Conley fought the ex-gay movement and found the courage to forgive". www.queerty.com. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  2. ^ Galicia, Libni. "Brilliant film adaptation of Boy Erased by Joel Edgerton". The Mesa Press. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Borland, Bryan (May 19, 2016). "A Q&A with Garrard Conley, author of Boy Erased". Arkansas Times. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  4. ^ "Gay Conversion Therapy Made Me Suicidal: The Powerful True Story Behind the Film 'Boy Erased'". People. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  5. ^ Brantley, Max (February 13, 2018). "The man behind 'Boy Erased,' an Arkansas experience coming to the screen soon". Arkansas Times. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  6. ^ Wayne Besen (October 12, 2011). "Former 'Ex-Gay' Activist Admits Gay People Don't Change". Falls Church News-Press. Archived from the original on October 15, 2011. Retrieved October 13, 2011.
  7. ISSN 0261-3077
    . Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  8. ISSN 0190-8286
    . Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  9. ^ "UnErased: The History of Conversion Therapy in America". Focus Features. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
  10. ^ Florio, Angelica. "The 'Boy Erased' Subject Is Exposing Conversion Therapy In A Brand New Way". Bustle. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  11. ^ a b Kaufman, Hayley. "'Boy Erased' author Garrard Conley on his story's long road to the screen - The Boston Globe". Boston Globe. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
  12. ^ "Pride 2019: Stonewall 50 Anniversary and History of LGBT People in America". Newsweek. June 1, 2019. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  13. ^ "Queerty Pride50 2019 Honorees". Queerty. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  14. ^ "KSU | Faculty Web - Garrard Conley". facultyweb.kennesaw.edu. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  15. ^ "Gay Conversion Therapy Made Me Suicidal: The Powerful True Story Behind the Film 'Boy Erased'". Peoplemag. Retrieved January 4, 2023.

External links

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