A father in the US has been publicly rebuked by a television judge after suing his gay son for the cost of sending him to conversion therapy.
Gregory Talbert, from Memphis, Tennessee, took legal action against his 18-year-old son, Michael Talbert, after spending US$6,000 on a conversion therapy programme he believed would “cure” his son’s sexuality.
According to the case, Gregory discovered Michael kissing his best friend in his bedroom on a Sunday morning before church. Soon afterwards, he paid to send him to conversion therapy.
Michael later ran away from the programme, describing the conditions there as toxic and cruel. He said he only agreed to attend because he feared his parents would disown him and throw him out of the family home.
Gregory then attempted to recover the money by suing his son, arguing that Michael had failed to follow through on his promise to complete the programme.
But Judge Eboni K. Williams firmly rejected that argument in a courtroom clip that has since gone viral on social media.
“You’ve gaslit this young man for far too long. He’s still a youth and he’s still your son, but you’re not going to gaslight me, sir,” Williams said. “That is fear. He’s terrified of you and the consequences of not being a part of this family. That’s why he says he will go.”
After challenging Gregory’s version of events, Williams asked Michael to explain what he experienced during the conversion therapy.
“[They] said that I was cursed, said that I was going to hell, and called all of us there monsters, that we were unworthy, and that we needed the program to fix ourselves,” Michael said.
He remained in the programme for only a month before running away and going to stay with his best friend. Michael said it was there that he finally felt free for the first time in his life.
After hearing his account, Judge Williams stepped down from the bench, took Michael’s hands and delivered a message that has resonated widely online.
“Young man, you are not cursed,” she said, as Michael became visibly emotional. “You are as loved and as worthy, Michael, as your father, your mother, and everyone else who gets the privilege to reside on this earth, young man. I don’t care what your daddy says. I don’t care what some stupid conversion therapy says, which is nothing but a bunch of hoopla and a scam and a money grab for young, vulnerable men like yourself. I see you. You are valuable, and Michael, you are perfect. You are perfect in the eyes of God.”
Gregory attempted to defend his actions by saying he believed the treatment was a form of “tough love”, but Williams immediately dismissed that reasoning.
“It’s unacceptable, it’s manipulative, and it’s downright cruel,” she said.
She then threw out the case entirely, telling Gregory he had no right to call himself a father unless he could love his son without conditions.
“This one is very simple,” Williams said. “This young man deserves a father and a mother who love him completely… not that tolerates him, sir. Not that begrudgingly accepts who he is, but that loves him unconditionally and completely. He deserves a home, sir, where he is safe and loved. It’s clear to this court that you nor your wife, according to your testimony today, can provide that. Therefore, it is with great joy and comfort that I dismiss your case in its entirety.”
The exchange has drawn widespread attention online, with many praising Williams for condemning both the lawsuit and the harm caused by conversion therapy.
