Garrard Conley

Growing up gay in the South was a big struggle for Garrard. Surviving conversion therapy was even more challenging. He shares his story through Boy Erased and shares more about conversion therapy on his podcast, UnErased (2).

Who is Garrard Conley?

Garrard Conley is an author who shares his experiences with conversion therapy and growing up gay through both his book and his podcast. He graduated from the Brooklyn College MFA program and attended Auburn University to earn his MA in English. He gives lectures at schools and other places across the country. He is working at Kennesaw State University as an Assistant Professor of Creative Writing (2). Check out the interview below for more on Conley's experience with conversion therapy. 

 

Boy Erased 

Boy Erased is a memoir; it shares the story of a gay boy growing up in Arkansas. His friends, family, and neighbors all turned against him when he was outed by another student during his freshman year of college. His Christian parents encouraged him to attend conversion therapy. With his father about to become a minister and as the only child of his parents, he felt he had no choice but to do so (1). This book shares a reality that many do not wish to think happens, but it does; Kirkus Reviews calls it "An engaging memoir that will inevitably make readers long for a more equal future" (3). 

The Washington Post says, "Let's hope that the parents still reading "Where Does a Mother Go to Resign?" start reading "Boy Erased" instead" (1). I agree. Homosexuality should not be portrayed in a way that makes it seem like a sin. I believe this book makes the reader develop a new sense of respect for the progress that has been made in the LGBTQIA+ community, but I hope to see a day where loving whoever is accepted and celebrated everywhere. 

My Thoughts

I think this book tells a remarkable story, and I hope you consider reading it. There is also a movie adaptation; I will include the trailer for it below. As for the author himself, I find it incredible that he does so many things to share his story. On a more personal note, I thought it was cool that he went to Auburn University since I have visited Auburn a few times. 

Works Cited

 (1) Brickhouse, Jamie. “‘Boy Erased’: A Minister’s Son Trapped between Religion and ...” The Washington Post, 10 May 2016, www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/boy-erased-a-ministers-son-trapped-between-religion-and-his-sexual-identity/2016/05/10/48cc7c8a-0b14-11e6-8ab8-9ad050f76d7d_story.html.

(2) Conley, Garrard. “Bio.” Garrard Conley, 2023, garrardconley.com/biography.

(3) Conley, Garrard. “Boy Erased.” Kirkus Reviews, Riverhead, 10 May 2016, www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/garrard-conley/boy-erased/.