The official trailer is here for the new Netflix documentary Pray Away that premiered at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival. In the documentary film (executive produced by Ryan Murphy and Jason Blum), former leaders of the “pray the gay away” movement along with current members, and a survivor, chronicle the “ex gay” movement. Directed by Kristine Stolakis, Pray Away debuts globally on Netflix on August 3rd.
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. 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.
Watch the official trailer for Pray Away.