I suppose we’ll see whether ABC commits an act of journalism tonight when they profile the laughably weird Journey into Manhood camps, which were notably exposed a while back when journalist Ted Cox went in undercover as an attendee and, as a straight man, experienced what it’s like when a camp counselor jams his boner into your back. As it usually goes with these mainstream media reports, sometimes they’re good, and sometimes they’re awful, beholden as the corporate media is to presenting “both sides” of issues, even when there aren’t two valid “opposing sides.” Here’s ABC’s intro:
When Preston met up with a bunch of his friends in New Caney, Texas, for a guys’ weekend at a secluded camp, it wasn’t for hunting or fishing. These men traveled here to attend emotional counseling sessions to cope with unwanted sexual attraction towards other men.
“To be able to connect from one man to another, with no facade, with no you know nothing holding back, it’s just amazing,” said Preston, a 28-year-old from outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. He requested only his first name be used.
The retreat called “Journey to Manhood” offers therapeutic peer counseling over 48 hours to help men like Preston, who voluntarily come to learn how to deal with what they call “same-sex attractions.” For the first time ever, the retreat allowed cameras inside their controversial organization and ABC News was granted exclusive access.
Nightline airs at 11:35/10:35 PM Central.
If JiM allowed cameras in, I don’t look forward to much investigative journalism on this one. ABC has a dicey track record on this stuff. In fact, JiM could be counting on it to generate more business. The only way such a scammy, fringe outfit should appear on Nightline is as an exposé.
Preston’s from outside Salt Lake City, eh? No surprises there.
Any update?
As the proud mother of two gay sons, I was very interested to see this show. I have to say ABC did indeed show both sides of the story. They almost had a “tongue in cheek” moment at the end when the reporter was sort of laughing at Preston’s wife when he asked her if they both checked out the same men while walking down the street. She said something to the fact, well we have different ideas of the ideal man. I laughed, knowing years down the road, we’ll hear about him leaving her and their child she’s carrying now for a man he once shared a weekend with. She’ll, of course, admit, “I knew it all along, but tried to tell myself he’d rather be with me than another man.” *yawn*
Me too….I watched this clip a few times and every time I was moved to tears. God Bless the heros in the situation who stood up for love. Their dignity is beautiful!