Pray Away

Former leaders of the “pray the gay away” movement contend with the aftermath unleashed by their actions, while a survivor seeks healing and acceptance from more than a decade of trauma.

2021 | Running Time: 141 minutes | Rating: PG-13

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 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, its unscientific influence, and its legacy of profound harm.

The Emmy Awards, 2022: Outstanding Social Issue Documentary (Nomination)

GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics 2022: Documentary of the Year (Nomination)

Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards 2021: Best First Documentary Feature (Nomination)

Tribeca Film Festival 2020: Best Documentary Feature (Nomination)

“A wise and compassionate film about anti-gay conversion therapy as it’s practiced and encouraged by the evangelical church.”

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Tags: Feature, Documentary, Religion, Gender, Abuse