Group Discusses Plight of Boys from Fundamentalist Church
 
KSL TV Channel 5 News
 
Hundreds of boys from the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints are speaking out and turning to you for help after facing excommunication.

The boys have been expelled from the church, their families, and their homes.

"Diversity", a non-profit organization, held a media conference at the State Capitol to make the public aware of their situation.

"Diversity" provides mentors, financial support, housing, schooling, and counseling to help the boys learn how to excel in American society.

Most of the boys were evicted for what many would consider to be normal teen behavior-- watching movies, wearing short sleeved shirts, or even just talking to girls.

Richard Gilbert/ Former FLDS Church Member: "We were raised to be controlled and to think everyone out here was evil, and we couldn't trust them. And (then) to come out here and realize that there are people we can trust and who can help us ..."

Nearly one hundred of the boys attended the conference today, along with chairman of Diversity, Dr. Dan Fischer, author, Jon Krakauer, and Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff.

If you'd like to help these boys out, you can call 1-877-GET-A-Dad.
 
KSL.com
Originally broadcast July 31, 2004
 
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