Teen About to Leave Ex-Gay Camp

MEMPHIS -- The gay teenager whose online comments about being sent to a Tennessee homosexual conversion program set off protests is wrapping up his time at the camp.

The New York Times said that the teenager, known only as Zach, has been at Refuge, a camp affiliated with Love in Action International, a Memphis-based group that seeks to change the sexual orientation of gay people.

Zach's parents said they were sending him to the camp shortly after he told them he was gay. He posted their plan on a Web site. Readers responded with some 1,700 messages of support to him and of protest to Love in Action, the newspaper reported.

In his final online message Zach wrote: "Don't worry. I'll get through this. They've promised me things will get better, whether this program does anything or not. Let's hope they're not lying.

The Times said Zach is to leave the camp next week.