Today we’d like to introduce you to Curtis Galloway.
Hi Curtis, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up in a small town in Southern Ill. Being in a mostly conservative area growing up queer was no easy task. However, after I experienced conversion therapy or sexual orientation change practices, at the age of 16, I went on to enact change in Illinois legislation by testifying in front of the Illinois government to ban conversion therapy. That led to my connections to many LGBTQ organizations which ultimately resulted in my move to LA. During my time working with LGBTW nonprofits, I made y first trip to Los Angeles in 2018 and fell in love if SoCal. It was three months after that I sold most of my belongings, packed up my car, and drove halfway across the country by myself to move into my friend’s spare bedroom. I quickly found a job and was able to rent an apartment with a few roommates. It was then that I founded my organization called the Conversion Therapy Dropout Network, a nonprofit dedicated to building a support community for conversion therapy survivors. Now, nearly 5 years later, I am well established here, have my own apartment, a wonderful partner, and stable employment. It is truly a dream come true.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have been several obstacles, the most obvious was going through conversion therapy, but in regards to LA, simply the act of moving here and trying to stabilize. It wasn’t easy. I had been living in St. Louis, MO for two years prior and was not very financially stable. I left there with only my belongings in my car and drove for three days to get to Azusa where my friends let me stay rent-free. It was difficult because I started in a new industry with no direct experience, so I had to claw my way up to a wage that allowed me to move to a semi-beachfront apartment with a roommate and now a studio where I live alone. Living in LA is not easy, and it was a huge shift from living in the Midwest, not only financially but socially too. I had to find my own group of people again, and the people here are much different.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Aside from my full-time work, I am most proud of my 501c3 nonprofit the Conversion Therapy Dropout Network. It was founded in early 2019. We were built on our mission to bridge the gap between survivors of conversion therapy and provide a support network to those harmed by the practice. Working with other organizations like the Trevor Project and Born Perfect, we have cultivated relationships to best help survivors in their time of need and ensure they have the tools necessary for healing. Our organization is one of the first of its kind and continues to grow and expand. We regularly hold our monthly meeting called Survivor Sunday where survivors log in from all over the work to share their stories and find support. I am most proud of the fact that we have helped countless survivors find a community where they feel truly seen.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I have been extremely lucky to be where I am. I could have easily fallen flat on my face moving here and had to go back. I have seen it happen to so many people. Same with my org. We could have easily collapsed during the pandemic, but instead, we thrived. I like to believe in divine intervention.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.conversiontherapydropout.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conversiontherapydropout/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/conversiontherapydropoutnetwork
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DropoutTherapy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw-aj1BGhsGr6OjkNjbNlUQ
- Other: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/83-3971026
