Arts & Entertainment
Anti-conversion therapy activist was consultant on ‘Boy Erased’
Born Perfect Campaign co-founder Mathew Shurka shares survivor experience
Mathew Shurka says conversion therapy is flourishing in places people would not expect. (Photo courtesy Shurka)
Mathew Shurka knows first-hand the horrors of “conversion” therapy. Despite what he says were good intentions on the part of his parents, five years of the practice he calls “particularly cruel and damaging” with a licensed therapist who claimed he could make gay people straight took a heavy toll.
Shurka now works as an anti-conversion therapy activist with the Born Perfect Campaign. He’s co-founder and strategist for the project that’s part of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. Based in New York, he’s one of four full-time staff members working on the project.
Shurka knew “Boy Erased” author Garrard Conley years before he wrote his memoir which has been adapted into the movie of the same name (see review here). Shurka and the Born Perfect team were involved throughout the making of the film as consultants to ensure accuracy and sensitivity.
“They really kept us in the conversation the whole time,” Shurka says. “Myself and two other representatives were on the set in, we gave feedback on the script through each round of edits, and then actually involved in the editing rooms. Every time they did a big round of edits, they wanted to make sure it would still make sense to a viewer who’s never even heard of conversion therapy. And then also down to the marketing and stories of survivors. They really kept us in the conversation the whole time.”
Shurka says seeing a major screen production devoted to the topic and being involved in its creation has been powerful.
“I contemplated suicide for two years,” the 30-year-old New York native says. “Conversion therapy was a trauma that I survived and it altered my life forever so to be part of this movie has been really surreal.”
Shurka’s work with the campaign involves keeping tabs on where conversion therapy-related legislation is in the works throughout the country. It’s still legal for minors in most of the U.S. Shurka visits states considering bans and works with regional LGBT groups to ensure passage. He’s not a lobbyist but says his personal story as a survivor gives him credibility with legislators. The campaign was launched in 2014.
Shurka says conversion therapy is alive and well in the U.S. and flourishing in places people might not expect.
“There’s actually a concentration of it in Los Angeles and New York which people can’t even imagine,” he says. “Think, ‘Oh yeah, it’s in Arkansas, that makes sense,’ but actually the biggest organizations are in big cities. … In Los Angeles, they’re in Orange County or in L.A. proper, they’re in urban areas and we’ve seen new ones open in Manhattan in the last two to three years. They’re disguised as therapists and they use different terminology. They sell it as a form of addiction and are very sneaky about it.”
Shurka says that although 2018 has been his organization’s most successful year, 2019 is “looking scarier than ever.”
He says “Boy Erased” provides unprecedented exposure for the issue.
“I think this has great potential to shift or transform hears and minds,” he says.
Find out more about the Born Perfect Campaign at nclrights.org/born-perfect.
Theater
Don’t miss summer productions at Clear Space in Rehoboth Beach
‘Cher Show,’ ‘Pretty Woman’ among season’s standouts
“The Cher Show” at Clear Space Theatre is wonderful. I am always amazed at the talent they attract for their summer series. Kudos to Wes Drummond, the artistic director of the theater. “The Cher Show” is written by Rick Elice. Compliments to the talented director, James FitzSimmons, who brought to life this production. His immensely talented cast includes Shannen Hofheimer as Star, Breanna Lemerise as Lady, Abby Lynne as Babe, and Anya Kay, as young Cher. Each is a pleasure to both watch and listen to. They command the stage. Then more kudos to the entire cast and ensemble. Also, the creative team, which includes among so many who make this show a hit, choreographer Shondelle Graulich; scenic designer, David Chappell; lighting designer Brendan Smith; costume designer Valerie Beardsley; and the entire orchestra led by conductor, Jerry Birl.
But the actor who I was looking forward to seeing in the production, was a young actor I had written about, and reviewed, when I saw him at Clear Space two years ago. In this production he is Sonny Bono, and he definitely didn’t disappoint.
Let me introduce Caetano de Sá. I have written about him before, but his resume is worth repeating. It says; Height: 5’7 ½, Eyes: Brown, Voice part: Tenor G2 – C5, Build: Athletic. All true. Then you add to this he speaks Brazilian Portuguese, is certified in stage combat by the Society of American Fight Directors, and is a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo. Then as his resume of roles confirms, he can act, sing, and dance with the best. He does a great job as Sonny and is fun to watch on stage. Here he displays his talents as a singer and actor, and they are as good as I remembered them when I first met Caetano while he was still in school in 2024, and was starring as Frankie Valli in “Jersey Boys,” at Clear Space. At the time he was a rising senior at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee BFA Musical Theater program. I interviewed him, and Harry Sperduto, who played Tommy Devotee, after seeing them in the show, and being amazed by their talent. Since that time, I have followed their careers. When I heard Caetano was coming back to Clear Space for the summer, I reached out, and he agreed to sit down and chat, which we did. I knew Clear Space Theatre was planning a busy summer season. Their lineup of shows included “The Cher Show,” “Mean Girls,” and “Pretty Woman.” They always have talented casts, including the many college students who are getting their first chance to shine, which was the case for Caetano in 2024. Now he is back as a graduate, with more experience under his belt, a little more established. This season he was going to play Sonny in their production of “The Cher Show,” Martin/Coach Carr, in “Mean Girls,” and Mr. Hollister in “Pretty Woman,” and being a part of the ensemble. He told me he really enjoys being at Clear Space, and that his castmates are all talented. He is a lot more experienced than when he was here before, having performed in productions at the Prairie Repertory Theatre, the Emerald Coast Theatre Company, Firehouse Center for the Arts, and the Sullivan Rep, among others. In productions as diverse as “Oklahoma!,” “Mystic Pizza,” “Hairspray,” and “Rock of Ages.” He now lives in New York City and clearly New York is the perfect place for an aspiring actor. He has an agent at Bramante Artists, who is getting him gigs, like the one he had at 54 Below and even a TV commercial for AFLAC.
“The Cher Show” is the second show I have seen at Clear Space this summer. After our chat I got one of the last tickets available that evening for “Pretty Woman.” In that production he has a smaller role, and is part of the incredibly talented ensemble. It is also an entertaining show and its very talented stars, Abby McDonough as Vivian, and Jaiden Leo Riley as Edward, are a pleasure to watch. Kudos to the talented director, Ashley Williams, and the entire creative team.
For anyone living at the beach, or coming for a visit, I urge you to plan a night at Clear Space. You won’t regret it. But know tickets for all the shows, and Sunday evening cabaret nights, sell out fast. So, I suggest you see what’s available online and buy yours today.
The 2026 World Pride March was held on Saturday, Aug. 8 in Amsterdam. Tens of thousands of participants marched from Martin Luther Kingpark to the grounds of the Pride Village at Museumplein.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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The weekly drag show “Daddy Issues” was held at Kiki on Wednesday, Aug. 5. Performers included Evry Pleasure, Indiana Bones and Tiara Missou-Sidora.
(Washington Blade photos by Landon Shackelford)
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