Surviving Reparative Therapy with Alex Cooper Pt. 1 w/ Tyler Glenn - Mormon Stories Ep. 625
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- Опубликовано: 24 авг 2024
- This is a recording of my interview with Alex Cooper recorded on March 16, 2016 at Velour in Provo, Utah. Alex Cooper, along with Dr. Joanna Brooks, are the co-authors of the new book Saving Alex. Alex was accompanied in this interview by her attorney, Paul Burke. We were also honored to have Tyler Glenn (Neon Trees) perform three musical numbers for us on this special night.
A description of the book follows:
When Alex Cooper was fifteen years old, life was pretty ordinary in her sleepy suburban town and nice Mormon family. At church and at home, Alex was taught that God had a plan for everyone. But something was gnawing at her that made her feel different. These feelings exploded when she met Yvette, a girl who made Alex feel alive in a new way, and with whom Alex would quickly fall in love.
Alex knew she was holding a secret that could shatter her family, her church community, and her life. Yet when this secret couldn’t be hidden any longer, she told her parents that she was gay, and the nightmare began. She was driven from her home in Southern California to Utah, where, against her will, her parents handed her over to fellow Mormons who promised to save Alex from her homosexuality.
For eight harrowing months, Alex was held captive in an unlicensed “residential treatment program” modeled on the many “therapeutic” boot camps scattered across Utah. Alex was physically and verbally abused, and many days she was forced to stand facing a wall wearing a heavy backpack full of rocks. Her captors used faith to punish and terrorize her. With the help of a dedicated legal team in Salt Lake City, Alex eventually escaped and made legal history in Utah by winning the right to live under the law’s protection as an openly gay teenager.
Alex is not alone; the headlines continue to splash stories about gay conversion therapy and rehabilitation centers that promise to “save” teenagers from their sexuality. Saving Alex is a courageous memoir that tells Alex’s story in the hopes that it will bring awareness and justice to this important issue. A bold, inspiring story of one girl’s fight for freedom, acceptance, and truth.
This is why I ditched the mormon church! My brother told my family he was gay at 14 and he was beaten so badly it made me sick! I will never believe a word they say ever again!!
I would simply like to remind you that not all of us are like this we’re honestly very loving people
Her parents are terrible people. I give her so much credit for forgiving them after they basically forced her to be traumatized for the rest of her life
To me, forgiveness doesn't absolve anyone of guilt for what they did. Forgiveness means you are moving on. Forgiveness is a statement that says, "I am no longer holding onto my anger against you, and I no longer am allowing you to live rent-free in my head." And, it is a definitive statement that the wrongdoer no longer holds power over the person who is doing the forgiving.
I learned this valuable lesson after a church shooting in my community (you probably heard of it). The scumbag was caught in a neighboring state and brought back here. At his bond hearing, one family member after another of the nine decedents stood up on camera and forgave him. One of those was a former colleague of mine, whom I still consider a friend, who lost his wife in that shooting. If if they can find that strength of character to do that, facing a monster who committed the ultimate crime while the emotions are still raw, I can find a way to do it, too.
Her parents have since apologized and reconciled. Her dad says he will walk her down the aisle one day when she marries a woman. While they did horrible things, I don't think they are horrible people. You have to think they have been sort of brainwashed into thinking in that way from early childhood. So in their mind, they thought they'd never see their daughter in the afterlife so they were doing everything they knew how to do to help her. To see the growth that the parents go through is such a beautiful thing and shows that love can overcome all of that.
If you believed that your son/daughter were going to hell forever for "choosing" an alternative sexuality, and the good book made by God, told you it's evil and damn you a way in hell from you.
Wouldn't you do the same?
They're just doing the best they can. "Hell is paved with good intentions"
this made me so angry at her parents. I have a beautiful daughter and would NEVER treat her this way... Unreal !!!
+Brandon S. The parents never would have done this if the church hadn't convinced them that this was for the best; that there's something wrong with being gay and that it can be changed.
+D Mc yep I agree with you. the influence
---- of another wonderful religion --😖 sadly it's true
Kaththee1
You can try to put it all on the parents but this wouldn't happen if the church wasn't behind it.
@@dmc8092 And the parents didn't have free will to make their own choices? If they're so brainwashed by the 'church' that they condone this, they both belong in prison.
D Mc dude, she told them she was being made to stand against a wall with rocks in her back. Any decent person would’ve taken her tf out of there, even if they thought being gay was wrong. Her parents should be on their hands and knees begging her for their forgiveness. They have utterly failed as parents and they can never make this up to her. She is so gracious in her ability to forgive them even after they failed to appropriately apologize to her
Alex's story literally turns my stomach. How the hell can this happen in the 21st century?!
Digimer religion
I Agree
When I watched it I thought it had happened in like the 60' or 70' but man it's recent. T.T
I have been advocating for Michigan to shut it down.
When people think they are doing good. They'll always be evil hiding in the shadows. Ready to pounce
She keeps a smile on her face but I saw the pain in eyes
There's the "keep sweet" saying in Mormonism. Here's hoping she learns to lose that.
It is so unreal that things like this happen. Don't religions promote peace and harmony, we should all love and respect one another but then THEIR GOLDEN RULE, not those who are different. I am looking forward to reading her book because to me, Alex is inspirational and true hero!
i wish unfortunately they believe dat god made Adam n Eve not Adam n Steve n dat disgust me bout de church
That she can still forgive her parents in incredible. Every last person who took part in the torture of this innocent girl should be in prison. And enough with the, 'well her parents wouldn't have done this if they hadn't been influenced by the 'church'. If you're so simple minded and brainwashed that anything a church cooks up is A OK with you, then you shouldn't be out there loose in society endangering the lives of sane people.
I have family members that are Mormon. It's so sad to see how they beat themselves to try to be perfect. They are living for the church and not for God. The church has brained washed beyond belief. We pray for them every day that they be delivered from this these deception.
These places should be illegal, if they're not already. Anyone who runs one should be arrested and prosecuted. And any family or church that sends, or recommends sending, children to them should also be prosecuted.
Kaththee1 There's a whole lot of lying going on but no one seems to be punished for it except the kids who are sent to these places.
Mormans are not like Christian's so all churches aren't the same. I'm a Christian and I don't judge anyone for their sex and who they chose to be with . It's their life not mine
So not all people are the same
celina yoos hate to break it you, but many Christians behave this way too, especially if they come from Baptist or Pentecostal traditions. Catholic too, although anecdotally they love to cherry pick so a lot of Catholics are pro-LGBT rights despite the church’s stance
It's all the more sick that people were coming in and out of this place, witnessing this abuse and do nothing.
All, I have to say is WOW!!! Church belief system in this regard is VERY DAMAGING. I am very very sad for Alex, and upset towards her captures, and even her parents!!!
James Moss it’s not church belief it’s Mormon beliefs and those niggas are all crazy
@American Nightmare Not to mention an English lesson or 2.
She looks so uncomfortable. What kind of religion punishes you for being yourself. Pathetic.
Vanessa Martinez trauma can be really hard to talk about
Sorry you were "dealt with," in this way Alex. Hope going forward you are happy and able to live the life you want.
12:44 is when Alex comes to the stage.
thnx de guy talked too much
Such an incredible story. Just wish it had been told with a much better interviewer...
I can't believe this and yet I can totally believe that Mormons are this insane. Isn't giving away your child ever so slightly illegal?
I’m Mormon and I am not insane people do this when they found out there kid is gay not just Mormon parents
This upsets me so much but she is also a strong young woman
The high desert is much like Southern Utah. I love the desert. It's right near the mountains and has tons of wildlife. Our sunsets here and the stars at night are wonderful. .
That was so hard to watch...I was so angry! I'm looking forward to listening to part II
It’s crazy that this interview happened in Provo! 😳 also, I’m a single mother of two, postMormon and gay! Thanks to John AND Tyler I learned that the church was not true. And thanks to #newnamenoah I learned of Alex 😭 and she’s BEAUTIFUL!
Just so sad there are people out there like that ,Alex was so brave and determined im sure i would have had a nervous breakdown ,def a panic attack and they probably would have taken my medicine away too so brutal i have absolutly no respect for her parent or the evil couple i have lots of respect for Alex she was strong and i hope she is very happy now and knows people love her cause she was failed but lifted up by the angels and God not their God but anyway we love you Alex thank you for sharing your story i can only imagine how hard it was but your free so glad.👍🏼👍🏼🙌🕊🌹✌💓
Wow. This sounds so similar to some of what I went through with reparative therapy and praying for the Lord to change my sexual identity. Very good interview.
To think that she speaks to her parents today! That’s growth because the amount of abuse that happened to her is hard to move past .
Not a Mormon, but a Christian with 7 daughters 2 of which liked girls, it was difficult, but my wife and I just loved them and accepted their friends invited them into our home and took one on a trip with us. One of the girls moved to N Carolina with her girlfriend and it didn't work out, just like with heterosexual relationships there can be cheating, so my daughter returned. each of them were in their late teens and early 20's while having these relationships. each of them probably had 3 different relationships with girls. over time with heartaches for each of them with their respective partners they came to it all on their own but started having boyfriends, it was nothing we did or said, it was all in Gods hands. One is married now and has a 5 year old son. The other has moved out on her own and has been with her boyfriend over a year now. If they had remained in their previous lifestyles we would have loved them just the same, but we are happy now that they each have men in their lives that care for them and truly love them. We are so blessed. I watched the movie about Alex and had to look into it more, that poor kid, although her parents were terrible, and the couple that provided their version of therapy they thought they were doing the right thing, due to the theology of the Mormon church. In a sense they were brainwashed into thinking they had to do something to save their daughter, albeit in a terrible misguided way. God bless you Alex. Shalom.
Here because i saw the movie on Hulu. Great film, matches her story very well. I wish she hadn't forgiven her parents, they dont deserve her.
I'm so sorry u hat she went through that ordeal. She is somehow appears broken and repressed which I guess is expected but the interview was like pulling teeth. she is not forthcoming at all. watching it was like work! so sad.... so tedious...
+Kaththee1
About your second point on her parents - preach!!!
I said the same thing about this interview. I was like did she even want to do the interview?
Kaththee1 Also I think the interviewer is trying to be gentle with her. She is clearly skittish and trashing her parents would scare her off and alienate her. I suspect if he was interviewing them, his tone would be quite different.
As for Alex, I suspect one day she will be able to let herself be angry with them but she’s still healing. Right now, she loves her parents and craves their acceptance, which she won’t get if she confronts them more harshly
I want to meet Alex Cooper one of these days, and tell her what an amazing and awesome person I think she is for telling her story and everything.
What Alex's parents did to her was unacceptable. Conversion therapy is wrong and you cannot force your religious ways on others it's just plain wrong. I'm happy that she forgave her parents for what they did but if I were in Alex's shoes it would've been a different story. If they were my parents I would've forgiven them but I would disown them afterward because they don't deserve a chance of trust anymore. Conversion therapy must be illegal everywhere no matter what. I heard that she did not press charges against Johnny and Tianna Siale I would've pressed charges against them I also heard that Johnny and Tianna Siale each received a 20-year prison sentence believe me they deserve it. I want to meet Alex Cooper one day that would be awesome.
I wish could meet she is truly an inspiration to me
Is she still With Frankie?
+nope: I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but Alex and the girl known as "Frankie" in the film(her real name is "Yvette", as described in Alex's book) didn't actually reunite as shown at the end of the movie. Alex is now living in Portland, Oregon, with a woman named "Lina", and they've been together for about three years from the time this video was made, according to what Alex stated in "Part 2" of this video series, and I think that they're still together, I'm not sure.
She is beautiful 😍 so proud with you 😘🌈♥️
one day if n when i meet Alex i wanna give her a hug n cry for her
She's so pretty 🥺💖
I was so excited when Alex Cooper accepted my friend request on facebook!
Alex is amazing I would love to meet her even though I’m not gay but my cousin is gay and my best friends brother is gay to its awesome
I think anyone ,latter day saint or not, that does that is pure evil. They were not following ANY of the values theyre supposed to live like loving everyone for who they are. that was just horrible nothing good comes from abuse.
And now we have Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildibrant. Makes me sick. Stay strong to all the kids
I hope she gets some counseling/therapy. I know she said she's close to her parents, but I question that, as well as their ability to parent. That sort of extreme reaction over their child's sexuality (and they were THAT surprised? Most parents I know weren't that surprised when their kids came out because they KNEW their kids) and how they handled it indicates they can't cope with problems and I would expect would show in their manner of parenting.
I also wonder if she has lasting physical effects (back and neck problems, etc.) from this torture.
Mormon's trying to save themselves, so smart ha ha
I wonder if this book is the reason Pres. Nelson decided the name MORMON had become so toxic he had to abandon it as the name of his church . .
No...
Maybe she wasn’t ready for this interview. I wanted to hear her tell her story but each answer was so short, it’s hard to get it in it’s entirety. Interviewer is Like begging for answers.
Her parents are so lucky they she forgave them. A lot of people would not, they abandoned her. I hope they are ashamed of themselves for the rest of their wasteful lives but these types of people are perfect and could never be wrong.
So what happen to the mean couple? Hope she jail them and sue there ass!!!
Her parents better pray not to get a huge smack in their faces
I can't belive they even treat gays like this that's just wrong even if it'd in your belief that's going to far I feel bad for Alex she should have just left her parents and moved on with her life if they treated her that way. Made her move in with strangers that abused her
Well if anyone is a Mormon please get out of there only Jesus can forgive sins he suffered for forgiveness so you do t have to
Does she have some kind of her relationship with her parents?.. imagine telling yr parents that yr gay for them to lie to u and take u to some bulshit therapy place..so they can smack the gay out of u..I would've never speak to them again .that's so sad no1 tried to help her .her mom didn't go see her or visit..there's people who shouldnt be parents.
We just ran the last Mormon out of the county. Next county over will be Mormon free very soon. We are well financed and organized at the highest level.
Tim Morey what do you mean?
the mormon church can buy this county, and the next one. nobody feels sorry for them anymore.
@@kaijusushi8165 you know what you are freaking idiotjust because some of the Mormons practice the wrong thing doesn't mean all Mormons are wrong in the religion is wrong you are so stupid to find people out of the county or what the hell is wrong with you
@@kaijusushi8165 you say you are highly organized and financially organized you're a freaking idiot you know nothing right you're not highly organized you're an idiot
What? This makes you no better than what her parents did.
Sounds like the interviewer is condemning her, putting words in her mouth. What a great story, what a brave girl! But she should not have this type of close-minded interviewer.
This is not a good interview it's almost like he had to pry her to talk and for information. I don't agree with homosexuality as a Christian, not a Mormon, however how the parents dealt with it was definitely wrong. It's a parent's job to lead their kids down the straight and the narrow, but not in a abusive way, like this.
J Smith she has trauma, she shouldn’t be pried like that
A True Perspective even if they don’t send you away to be abused, having parents that don’t support you is traumatizing and disgusting
she wrote the book so she's OK with the content. Also don't agree with Homosexuallity ??? It's a parent's job to let their children find out who they are and live their lives for themselves. Not to impose their own belief system on them. You don't own them you have to let them go. Learning basic right and wrong and treatiing everyone with respect is simple. Also teaching them to question what they're told and make their own decisions based on their own research.
You don't "agree" with homosexuality? It exists. Objectively. People are gay. It literally doesn't matter if you "agree" with it. We have the right to exist. What do you even mean by "agree"? I know what you really mean. You're saying that it is either wrong, a choice, or both. Saying you "don't agree with homosexuality" is a cleverly veiled but inherently hostile and invalidating statement.
That's about as goofy as saying, "I don't agree with my kids having red hair," or "I don't agree with my kids having freckles."