Netflix has released the official Pray Away trailer for their newest documentary feature which hails from executive producers Ryan Murphy and Jason Blum. The film is scheduled to make its debut on August 3.
The video, which you can check out below, begins with archive footage of commercials and interviews that promoted gay conversion therapy, featuring former leaders of Exodus International. It features new interviews from the survivors of the now-disbanded ex-gay Christian organization movement as they talk about the emotional pain and suffering that they’ve experienced while undergoing the said therapy. It also highlights testimonies coming from some former conversion therapy leaders, who are now denouncing the movement they’ve previously advocated.
RELATED: Netflix’s Q-Force Teaser Introduces The First Queer Spy Division
Focusing on the dramatic journeys of former conversion therapy leaders, current members, and a survivor, Pray Away chronicles the “ex-gay” movement’s rise to power, persistent influence, and the profound harm it causes. The documentary film is directed by Kristine Stolakis.
In the 1970s, five men struggling with being gay in their Evangelical church started a bible study to help each other leave the “homosexual lifestyle.” They quickly received over 25,000 letters from people asking for help and formalized as Exodus International, the largest and most controversial conversion therapy organization in the world. But leaders struggled with a secret: their own “same-sex attractions” never went away. After years as Christian superstars in the religious right, many of these men and women have come out as LGBTQ, disavowing the very movement they helped start.
RELATED: Dark Side of the 90s Trailer Teases Vice TV’s Newest Docuseries
Pray Away is executive produced by Ryan Murphy and Jason Blum, who have also previously worked together on another LGBTQ documentary film A Secret Love which debuted last year. The film had its world premiere last month at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival.
