Marc Adams:
Goofy and Rufus
are long-haired Chihuahuas. We found
them at the animal shelter in Seattle. We initially just went to the
shelter to check things out and if we did find a small dog, perhaps we could
consider adopting. But then, they were there together and now they are here
together. They are very weird, loving dogs. They are both seniors and have
very few teeth. But they have definitely changed the spectrum of my life.
As we travel around the country, they also are a great addition to my
presentation.
RG: How are things with
HeartStrong? Most people reading this don't know about your involvement
with this organization.
Marc Adams: Well, then, I will start at the beginning. Three of us
founded HeartStrong over eight years ago. It is a national non
profit organization. After The Preacher's Son came out, I started
getting emails and letter from people saying they couldn't believe that
someone was out in public talking about what it was like to be gay, go
through religious schools and what those schools have the freedom to do to
GLBT students. The people writing to me were themselves students at
religious schools looking for someone who could speak their language to help
them in their journey to self-acceptance.
RG: Did you do that? Look for someone to help you when you were
going through it?
Marc Adams: Yes, right when I left Liberty University (Jerry
Falwell's university). But I couldn't find anyone who I felt could speak my
language and really understand what I was going through. So, when these
students started contacting me, I realized that I had a responsibility to
turn around and face the burning building I had escaped from and go back. I
felt that I needed to go back and rescue as many people as I could.
RG: Why do GLBT students at religious schools need to be rescued?
Marc Adams: In our country and most other countries around the
world, it is legal for religious schools to persecute GLBT students
attending their schools. That persecution involves everything from
expulsions to reparative therapy to electroshock therapy and public
outings. It's horrific.
RG: And HeartStrong provides support?
Marc Adams: Yes. Most of the students we help are in crisis
situations where they are being expelled, punished, outed or worse. Our
goal is to provide support for these students and make sure that they choose
life both emotionally and physically.
RG: Is it working?
Marc Adams: YES! In eight years we have helped more than 860
students from these schools. That's a big number for us since we are an all
volunteer organization with limited resources. But it is also a small
number because there are hundreds of thousands of more who need to hear our
message.
Marc Adams: Yes, there is a lot of information there about the work
and people can find out more information as well as make tax deductible
donations there.
RG: Your title with HeartStrong?
Marc Adams: Volunteer Executive Director. No one gets paid to do
this work. We still are unable to get in enough money each year to reach
our budgets.
RG: So HeartStrong needs financial help.
Marc Adams: Most definitely.
RG: I want to go back and talk some more about your family. You've
written quite a bit about them in (lost)Found.
Marc Adams: You mean my biological family?
RG: Yes, those people.
Marc Adams: I like to make a clear distinction.