A Father Tried to Sue Traumatized Gay Son $6K for Quitting Conversion Therapy
- Kris Avalon
- Apr 13
- 3 min read
A father goes viral after he attempts to sue his son for being a “worthless investment” after his gay son quits conversion therapy.
via: Queerty
The drama first aired on TV a few weeks ago, as part of the show Equal Justice with Judge Eboni K. Williams (S03, E65), but just recently making the rounds online. The show is available on Justice Central TV and Apple TV+, but we suspect not many people will be aware of this particular episode.
In the case of Talbert vs. Talbert, a father (Gregory Talbert) was suing his 19-year-old son (Michael) for repayment of $6,000. Dad says he was shocked to discover Michael kissing a male friend that he had over for a sleepover. Michael was 17 and a senior in High School at the time of the alleged incident.
Dad later sent his son a text threatening to kick him out unless he “fixed” himself.
Alarmed and fearful of being made homeless, Michael did some research into conversion therapy. He found an intense course that lasted three months. Although not residential, he would need to attend five days a week from 8am to 5pm.
His dad, a devout church-goer, agreed to pay the $6,000 fee.
After a month of attending the course and being told repeatedly he was cursed and going to hell, Michael could take no more and dropped out. Friends have assured him he does not need fixing.
His dad now wants Michael to repay him the $6,000.
The whole episode is on YouTube, and you can watch it below.
“You are perfect in the eyes of God”
Judge Williams, who was previously a Real Housewives of NYC star for one season, is horrified by the dad’s actions and by what Michael has gone through.
In one moving segment (at the 11-minute mark), the Judge leaves her bench, goes to Michael, and takes his hands. Looking into his eyes, she says, “Young man, you are not cursed. You are as loved and as worthy, Michael, as your father, your mother, and everyone else who gets the privilege to reside on this earth, young man. And I don’t care what your daddy says … what this (so-called therapist) Matthew guy says. I don’t care what some stupid conversion therapy says, which is nothing but a bunch of hoopla and a scam and a money grab for young, vulnerable men like yourself. I see you. You are valuable. And Michael, you are perfect. You are perfect in the eyes of God.”
“Downright cruel”
When Michael’s father discovered his son was skipping his conversion therapy session, he sent an angry text saying: “How could you betray mom and me like this? I need you to pack your things and move out.”
Dad told the judge he regretted the “harshness” of his words he used in that text, and said he loves his son.
Judge Williams is unimpressed.
“I don’t give a damn how angry you were, sir. And now I’m about to get real harsh with mine.
“It’s unacceptable. It’s manipulative. And sir, it’s downright cruel. I believe I’m ready to rule in this matter.
“I deal with a lot of cases in my courtroom, sir. And many of them are extremely complicated and nuanced, and I really have to sometimes seek counsel as we tease through the minutia and the theories and the legal complexities. And this one is very simple. This young man deserves a father and a mother who love him completely. Not that tolerates him, sir. Not that begrudgingly accepts who he is, but that loves him unconditionally and completely. He deserves a home, sir, where he is safe and loved. And it’s clear to this court that you nor your wife, according to your testimony here today, can provide that. Therefore, it is with great joy and comfort that I dismiss your case in its entirety. The plaintiff’s case is dismissed.”
Real or fictional?
Watching the video, one might assume this was a real case. However, according to IMDB and comments on Reddit, the show uses numerous actors in its productions.
Queerty has reached out to Allen Media Group, which owns Justice Central TV, to ask if this episode used actors or was based on a real-life case.
Whether a fictional courtroom drama or not, the episode does raise the issue of conversion therapy at a pertinent time.
The discredited practice does not work to alter anyone’s sexuality. Numerous studies have found that it often does more harm than good. Many states have now banned it. However, late last month, the US Supreme Court ruled 8-1 that a Colorado law banning conversion therapy for minors likely violates the First Amendment free speech rights of therapists. The decision allows counselors to argue that, as “talk therapy,” these practices are protected speech rather than regulatable conduct. The SCOTUS ruling likely threatens similar bans in other states.
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