“Letting Go(d): How I Failed Conversion Therapy and Learned to Love Myself”
Aaron Simnowitz
Quoir, 2023, 210 Pages

At A Glance: “Letting Go(d)” is Aaron Simnowitz’s compelling and candid memoir of his struggle with his sexual identity within the Evangelical church, detailing his painful journey through gay conversion therapy and his eventual reconciliation of his faith and homosexuality.

Overview: “Letting Go(d)” by Aaron Simnowitz is a raw and honest memoir detailing the author’s tumultuous journey grappling with his sexual identity within the Evangelical church. Growing up with the belief that being gay equated to eternal damnation, Simnowitz’s realization of his attraction to men at 18 propelled him into years of gay conversion therapy, including a stint at the notorious “Love in Action” program. His story is a harrowing account of the internal conflict between his deep-rooted faith and his true identity, marked by confusion, emotional turmoil, and self-loathing.

The memoir captures his struggle to reconcile his homosexuality with his Christian beliefs, detailing his double life in a conservative Christian community and a liberal television career. “Letting Go(d)” is a poignant narrative of self-discovery and acceptance, showcasing Simnowitz’s journey to finding peace with both his sexuality and his faith, ultimately living as an unashamed homosexual man.

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