A Quickie on “Defrauding”

“There are a few problems with Bill Gothard’s definition of ‘defraud.'”

Hurts Me More Than You: Jerusha’s Story

“You abused the ‘blessings’ that filled your quiver. And you wonder why we struggle to respect ourselves now.”

Painful Evolutions Required: Wayne’s Story

“As long as the school’s current administrative figureheads remain in power and remain committed to inflexibility, genuine reform will likely be stonewalled.”

Change The World With Love, Not A Battle Axe: Alaina Gillogly’s Story

“Even though I attended PHC for one year and transferred over a year ago, the experiences I had there are still fresh in my mind.”

The Reluctant Rebel: Gemma’s Story, Part Four

“I started my junior year with a panic attack as my mom and I drove back onto campus.”

“To the Ladies of Patrick Henry College”: A 2006 Email from 2 Male PHC Students

“You might be interested in publishing this lovely piece of misogynistic bullcrap. This email was sent to all PHC students by two male students on March 15, 2006.”

I Was You Once

“Broken hearts can be hidden by both ugly and pretty clothes. And lies once embraced can be hard to let go of.”

Feeling Like A Girl: Femininity After Homeschooling, By Kay Fabe

“It took some cataclysmic life events – a failed courtship, starting a business, moving out of my parents’ house and eventually out of state, and meeting a supportive partner – to give me some distance and perspective on my homeschool years. Along the way, by trial and error, I’ve slowly been figuring out how to become a girl again.”

Here’s To Girls Who Have Been Made Ashamed Of Their Bodies: Pearl’s Story

“I’ve been loosely following Clare’s viral blog post about getting kicked out of her homeschool prom. The story resonated with me because it was similar to things I’ve experienced growing up in conservative homeschool/purity culture.”

How I Educated Myself About Sex: Holly’s Story

“As I reflect on my experience with sex education, there are probably 5 or 6 stories I could write, but they don’t all fit together into one narrative. I learned about sex in little bits and pieces, and got strange mixed messages that never taught me about consent or the possibility of pleasure.”