Man alleges sexual abuse as anti-gay 'conversion'

Hernando, Miss. (AP) — A Mississippi man has filed a complaint alleging that a teacher at a church-run school sexually abused him in an attempt to change his sexual orientation from homosexuality.

Thirty-two-year-old Jeff White says he realized he had a duty to stand up against people who harmed him in the 1990s because such efforts still hurt others. The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports that the San Francisco-based National Center for Lesbian Rights helped White file the complaint with the DeSoto County Sheriff's Department. The center released his statement.

Sheriff's department spokesman Dick Hackett confirms that a complaint was filed last week against Bethel Baptist Church in Walls. He says he can only say it's being investigated.

Church spokesman Josh Carlisle said Friday the church knows there's an investigation and intends to cooperate.

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Information from: The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, TN. 

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The Gayly – September 1, 2014 @ 6:40am