Victor Sykes Wikipedia, Wiki, Today, Now, Vida Real, In boy Erased
Victor Sykes Wikipedia, Wiki, Today, Now, Vida Real, In boy Erased – The movie “Boy Erased,” directed by Joel Edgerton and produced by Focus Features, tells the story of Jared Eamons, a young gay man who is sent to a gay conversion therapy program run by Victor Sykes. But is Victor Sykes a real person? Let’s find out.
Who Is Victor Sykes?
Yes, Victor Sykes is based on a real person named John J. Smid. John Smid used to be the director of Love in Action, an ex-gay ministry based in Memphis. He was born in Denver, Colorado. Before he joined this evangelical group, Smid was married to a woman and had two daughters with her. In 1979, he separated from his wife when he decided he was gay. Later on, in the late 1980s, he became deeply involved in evangelical Christianity, which eventually led him to Love in Action. In 1988, he married his second wife and became the executive director of Love in Action in 1990.
Victor Sykes Personal Life
In his personal life, Smid divorced his second wife in 2011. Later, he entered into a relationship with Larry McQueen, whom he eventually married in 2014. The couple lived in Paris, Texas, for a while before announcing their move to Pearcy, Arkansas, in March 2022.
John Smid currently works as a furniture maker. He believes that his marriage to Larry can serve as an example for other former ex-gays and those who are struggling with their ex-gay beliefs. He wants to show that their relationship is no different from a typical heterosexual marriage.
In an interview with Towleroad, Smid explained, “I believe that due to my former notoriety, my marriage will definitely have its impact. I believe it is encouraging for other former ex-gays, and maybe even those who are still trying to hold on to their ex-gay belief system. We think our relationship reveals something very normal, not strange or deceptive gay stereotypes. We have come to realize that our marriage is very much the same as your average heterosexual marriage.”
Victor Sykes Conversion Therapy
John Smid created a program called “Refuge” at Love in Action, and it focused on trying to change the sexual orientation of teenagers through gay conversion therapy. He believed that he could help individuals overcome what he considered to be counterproductive mindsets to their Christian faith. Garrard Conley, who inspired the film’s main character, Jared Eamons, was one of the teenagers who went through Smid’s gay conversion therapy. In his memoir, Garrard shared Smid’s thoughts on the therapy, saying that Smid believed he was chosen by a higher power to lead gay individuals away from their “addictions” into successful heterosexual marriages.
Controversy and Resignation
However, Smid faced legal issues, public backlash, and internal conflicts within the organization during his time as director of Love in Action. As a result, he resigned from his position in 2008. The gay conversion therapy program that he had created was discontinued in 2007.
Apology and Change of Heart
After leaving Love in Action, Smid publicly apologized for his involvement in gay conversion therapy. On his website in 2010, he expressed regret for any harm he had caused and offered apologies to those affected. He specifically acknowledged the harm caused by the “Refuge Program” for teens and expressed remorse for the pain it had caused.
Smid also came to realize that his conversion therapies didn’t actually change someone’s sexual orientation. He admitted that “the transformation for the vast majority of homosexuals will not include a change of sexual orientation.” This was a significant revelation, as it contradicted the claims he had made earlier about the effectiveness of such therapies.
Memoir and Advocacy
In 2012, Smid published a memoir titled “Ex’d Out: How I Fired the Shame Committee.” In this book, he shared his journey of breaking away from the ex-gay community to lead what he called an “authentic life.”
Smid became involved in the making of the documentary film “This Is What Love in Action Looks Like,” directed by Morgan Jon Fox. The film focused on the life of Zach Stark, another teenager who went through Love in Action’s gay conversion therapy. This involvement signaled Smid’s change of heart and his efforts to shed light on the harm caused by conversion therapy.
Conclusion
In summary, Victor Sykes, the character in “Boy Erased,” is based on John J. Smid, a real person who was once the director of Love in Action, an ex-gay ministry. Smid went through a transformation in his beliefs and actions after leaving Love in Action. He publicly apologized for his role in gay conversion therapy and became an advocate against such practices. Today, he lives with his husband, Larry McQueen, and continues to share his story and experiences, hoping to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
Who is Victor Sykes in the movie “Boy Erased”?
Victor Sykes is a character in the movie “Boy Erased,” and he is based on a real person named John J. Smid. He was the director of Love in Action, an ex-gay ministry.
What is the main plot of “Boy Erased”?
“Boy Erased” revolves around the story of Jared Eamons, a young gay man who is sent to a gay conversion therapy program run by Victor Sykes. The film follows Jared’s experiences and his attempts to escape from the program.
Is John Smid a real person?
Yes, John Smid is a real person. He used to be the director of Love in Action, the organization that inspired the character Victor Sykes in the movie.
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