ABC 33/40: “30 Is 30: Don Corley’s victims demand child molester remains in prison”

A special Thank you to ABC 33/40 for their interview today!

Don Corley will be up for parole on March 15th. We encourage everyone to write a letter to the AL Parole Board and tell them to deny parole!

Send letters to:

Alabama Pardons and Parole Board
P.O. Box 302405
Montgomery, AL 36130-2405
Letters MUST reference “Charles Donald Corley, AIS #184756”

Zen Commuter Podcast Features “Jason Lee: From Pain to Purpose”

The Zen Commuter Podcast featured 30is30 founder Jason Lee is a very special episode about how even the worst events in life can become a source of inspiration and empowerment.

Listen to this episode of the Zen Commuter podcast

Victim of Homewood scout leader’s abuse supports move toward scouts including gay youths and adults

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – A former Homewood resident, once molested by an assistant Boy Scout leader, says he supports the Boy Scouts of America’s new policy allowing openly gay youth to join, and would even back extending the policy to the scout leaders.

Jason Lee said that he understands that Thursday’s vote by the Boy Scouts is an important step in acclimating people to the thought of allowing gays in the scouts, Lee stated in an email to AL.com.

Read the Story on AL.com

Thoughts on the Boy Scout Decision Allowing Gay Scouts

On Thursday, May 23rd 2013, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) voted to open their ranks to openly gay boys for the first time. The vote was conducted by secret ballot during the National Council’s annual meeting in Dallas. Of the approximate 1,400 members of the council who cast ballots, 61% supported the proposal. The policy change takes effect Jan. 1, 2014.

As an Eagle Scout, an adult volunteer to the organization, and a victim of child molestation from my Assistant Scoutmaster when I was a kid, I support the decision. Here are my thoughts:

• The traditionalist in me is sad that a 100+ year old organization like the BSA is changing a fundamental platform for what they stand for. However it’s ok to feel sad and nostalgic as I look back on my history with the BSA even as I look to the future with anticipation.
• If the BSA continued to hold the core belief of “no gays”, I think they would become irrelevant as time marches on. The world is changing – organizations and institutions won’t thrive under exclusionary traditions and beliefs.
• Forget all the court cases and propaganda over the last few decades. I know that gay men and boys have participated in the BSA over the years all across America, regardless of their policy. So, doesn’t it make sense that an organization that promotes so many good values allows an environment where boys can be authentic instead of lying about who they are?
• I don’t believe you can catch “gay” like it’s a disease. If you are gay, you are gay. If you are straight, you are straight. I am straight and am friends with more homosexual people than I can count. I evaluate my friends and family based on who they are, how they represent themselves, their values, and their communication style. Not their race or sexual orientation.
• Teenagers who are searching for their sexual identity need the Scout Oath and Law too; adults can inspire and lead a young man regardless of sexual orientation.
• Sexual orientation and sexual behavior are two different things. As long as the BSA emphasizes their two-deep leadership program, there will be little room for shenanigans. Adult leaders who are hell bent on taking advantage of little boys in any capacity will do so regardless of the institutional policy. Bad people happen to good organizations, regardless of policy.
• In my heart of hearts I believe that in 50 years we will look back at this issue and view it like we look at racial equality today – meaning that in 50 years the division between heterosexual and homosexual orientation may no longer exist.
• I’m not a theologian and don’t pretend to be one. But I grew up being told in Church to love, accept, serve – unconditionally. So I’ll do that. I struggle to do everything God wants me to do; I have no time to judge other people. I’m going to live the best life I possibility can and let God sort things out when it’s all said and done.

Innovation and Maturation are innately disruptive to those that are resistant to change. We cannot let fear be the main motivator of our decisions, our reactions.

So I’m going to be who I am. I’ll do my best to walk a path so that others might view me as a role model – I DO have an impact on others, every day. I can control only what I can control, and leave the rest to God. I’m going to emulate Jesus as much as possible. I’m going to love my family, love my neighbor, love myself. I will pray. I will keep growing. And no matter what, I’m determined to leave this world better than I found it.

Gays in the Boy Scouts of America won’t change any of that for me.

– Jason Lee

This op-ed was used in a story on AL.com. Read the Story Here

Don Corley Parole DENIED!

Dear victims, volunteers, supporters, family, friends, neighbors, impassioned visitors, and readers:

It is with gratitude and pride we announce that Charles Donald Corley has been denied parole for another five years.  This is the best possible outcome, and we thank you so very much.  Without you, this would not be possible.  Every letter counted.  Every Tweet, Facebook post, and email was taken to heart and encouraged us to fight on.  We achieved our ultimate goal of keeping Charles Donald Corley in prison for another five years.

However, we accomplished much more.  We opened the dialog on molestation.  Our cause was featured on Birmingham’s #1 radio talk show and highlighted on the front page of the Birmingham news. Representatives were interviewed by every major TV news affiliate in Birmingham, and appeared on an internet podcast that got it all started.  That’s not all.  We touched not only victims and associations of Charles Donald Corley, but many others as well.  The tsunami of encouragement behind this effort ran farther, wider, and deeper than we ever imagined.

We would like to specifically thank:

• The 30 is 30 family, including our subscribers, tweeters, letter writers, faithful readers, and those who discussed this topic with those around you.  You got it done.
• Jennifer Jones of “Cooney And Jones – Radio for Women”, without whose industry contacts, we may have never gotten the media recognition.
• John Meeks and the National Office of the Boy Scouts of America, who boldly stands by all of Corley’s victims.
• Homewood, AL Mayor Scott McBrayer
• Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale
• alabama Representative Paul DeMarco
• Alabama State Senate Majority Leader “Jabo” Waggoner
• Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange
• Alabama Governor Robert Bentley
• The Matt Murphy radio program and 100 WAPI Birmingham
• Scott Richards and the team from FOX 6 for their the tireless reporting on Don Corley over the past 16 years,
• Carol Robinson and Joey Kennedy from the Birmingham News, Stephanie Salvatore from CBS 42, Ashley Roberts from NBC 13 and the team at ABC 33/40 including Jani Farr.

We did it, but the fight is not over.  Charles Donald Corley has been in jail 16 years.  He will come up for parole again in another five years.  Charles Donald Corley should serve his full 30 year sentence.  We believe this because there is no indication that serial molesters can ever heal.  We believe this because Charles Donald Corley was convicted on only 3 of his many victims.  We believe this, because we believe in the healing of victims.  We believe victims of any crime can work to keep their aggressors in jail while engaging the community in meaningful dialog – not just meaningful for the effort, but meaningful for a lifetime.

Until the time is served:  We say:

“Thirty years is 30 years!”