Bebe 17,289 Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 DEVOUT Christian Linda Robertson says her son came out to her at 12-years-old but that she forced him into ‘conversion therapy’. Now she is travelling the US to ensure more kids don’t die like hers did. Rob and Linda Robertson of Washington State were told by their son Ryan, then aged 12, that he was gay. “It’s just the way I am and it’s something I know,†Mrs Robertson recalls him saying. “You are not a lesbian and you know that. It is the same thing.†While initially understanding, the Robertsons forced Ryan into weekly reparative therapy meetings with their pastor during his teenage years. “Basically, we told our son that he had to choose between Jesus and his s-xuality,†Mrs Robertson said. However it was something he was unable to do and he ended up running away. “Just before his 18th birthday, Ryan, depressed, suicidal, disillusioned and convinced that he would never be able to be loved by God, made a new choice. He decided to throw out his Bible and his faith at the same time, and to try searching for what he desperately wanted  peace  another way. And the way he chose to try first was d--gs,†Mrs Robertson writes. That started off with marijuana and alcohol and within six months grew to include c-----e, crack and heroin. After about 18 months he returned to live with his parents. Rob Robertson said their relationship with their son improved after God spoke to them and told them to love their son “just because he breathes because that is how I love you.†But within 10 months, Ryan relapsed into using d--gs and he overdosed. He died in hospital 17 days later aged 20 “What we had wished for … prayed for … hoped for … that we would NOT have a gay son, came true. But not at all in the way we used to envision,†Mrs Robertson writes on her blog justbecausehebreathes.com “Suddenly our fear of Ryan someday having a boyfriend (a possibility that honestly terrified me) seemed trivial in contrast to our fear of Ryan’s death." “When I think back on the fear that governed all my reactions during those first six years after Ryan told us he was gay, I cringe as I realise how foolish I was. I was afraid of all the wrong things,†she wrote. “And I grieve, not only for my oldest son, who I will miss every day for the rest of my life, but for the mistakes I made. I grieve for what could have been, had we been walking by FAITH instead of by FEAR.†Mrs Robertson is determined to ensure that other Christian parents do not experience the same fate as her family. Both of Ryan’s parents now travel around the US, speaking out on behalf of the gay community and trying to convince Evangelical parents that they should support their gay children. “Now, whenever Rob and I join our gay friends for an evening, I think about how much I would love to be visiting with Ryan and his partner over dinner. But instead, we visit Ryan’s gravestone,†she writes. “We celebrate anniversaries: the would-have-been birthdays and the unforgettable day of his death. We wear orange  his colour. We hoard memories: pictures, clothing he wore, handwritten notes, lists of things he loved, tokens of his passions, recollections of the funny songs he invented, his Curious George and baseball blankey, anything, really, that reminds us of our beautiful boy … for that is all we have left, and there will be no new memories.†https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwCrQw1YeF0 Source: http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/linda-robertson-gay-conversion-therapy-killed-my-son-ryan/story-fnet085v-1227138934331 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melech 9,900 Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 Sad that they realize that after it's too late. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyQueen 2,409 Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 So sad! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andreyw 4,285 Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 I feel sorry for them... Maybe this will change some parents' mind about LGBT community and in case their child has different s-xual orientation they won't beat him or throw him out or i don't know however they might react Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yves 1,891 Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 Shame on them for trying to convert him. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SweetEscape 654 Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoulLove 0 Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 Im not sure how to repsond to this.. But R.I.P. To him So nuch ignorance in this world its very sad Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fanta 5,019 Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 I feel bad for them, I just wish they didn't realize this when it was too late. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwjuell91 219 Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 shed a tear for this story. very sad but also outraged Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThatSLAYGUY 68 Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 So many reactions to this story tbh R.I.P Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ByeBye49 161 Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 That sucks....... :( R.I.P. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LORD GAGA 1,271 Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 Gay conversion therapy didnt kill him, his parents did by sending him to do it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
June 627 Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 Wow what a beautiful boy he was. This story is so tragic. I'm glad they are working hard to spread their message and I definitely am inspired to work hard to change the world as well. I believe in a higher God and I am gay, this story is very touching. I cried. ;( Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimtinoAguilera 0 Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 I don't like that I am a bis-xual and I hate this unwanted stuff and I don't like what I'm feeling, someday I might end up dying like him as a sacrifice for the good decision. It's fine. This is my destiny, in a Alejandro-esque visuals with some guns. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
fede ARTPOP 6,751 Posted November 29, 2014 Share Posted November 29, 2014 wow...really moving story... MAYHEM / ARTPOP Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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