The revelatory memoir by former "poster girl for Scientology" Michelle LeClair about her defection from the Church, her newly accepted sexual identity, and the lengths to which Scientology went to silence it.
MICHELLE LECLAIR
Author of PERFECTLY CLEAR: Escaping Scientology and Fighting for the Woman I Love
For years, Michelle LeClair, former President of Scientology's international humanitarian organization, tried to reconcile her sexual orientation with the anti-gay ideology of the church. Michelle finally ends her horrific marriage, finds the love of her life, a woman, and ultimately leaves the Church. But the split comes at a terrible price. Her once pristine reputation is publicly dragged through the mud, the police raid her home, her ex-husband tries to gain full custody of their children, and the multi-million dollar business she built from scratch is utterly destroyed.
In this tell-all memoir, Michelle LeClair offers an insider's perspective on Scientology's pervasive influence, secret rituals, and ruthless practices for keeping members in line. Michelle sheds important light on how the church of Scientology views homosexuality, citing her firsthand experience as a top donor to the church and high ranking member, and what happened to her life, business, and her family when she fell in love with a woman. After decades of torment, Michelle broke from Scientology with the help of the woman who gave her the strength to be her true self -- despite having to give up everything.
In an interview, Michelle will discuss:
o How the Church views homosexuality, and how they discourage it. She can speak to her own experience sharing that she’d had homosexual experiences a young woman, and how they pressured her to distance herself from that truth.
o Her role as President of Scientology’s humanitarian organization “Youth for Human Rights” and how it was a front to grant the church access to influencers, politicians, celebrities, etc.
o The Office of Special Affairs (aka the CIA of Scientology) and their ruthless investigation of Michelle.
o How the Church brings people in: during auditing, e-meters send mild electrical currents through your body, stimulating endorphins to an addictive effect, so you go back for another dose of auditing.
o In Scientology, what does it mean to “go clear?” How does the book’s title reflect this notion?
o How her mother brought her into Scientology and whether, in looking back, Michelle has perspective on why she so easily bought into the Church.
o How much money did she donate to the Church in total before she got out?
o What changed in that she was finally able to come out and stand up to the Church?
o Is she afraid of how the Church will react to the publication of her book? Has there been any backlash from them so far?
o What is Michelle’s goal in sharing this story? What does she hope the effect will be?
FEATURED COVER STORY IN THIS WEEK’S PEOPLE MAGAZINE
Ex-Scientologist Michelle LeClair Says Church Officials Humiliated Her After She Came Out as Gay
FEATURED ON MEGYN KELLY TODAY:
Michelle LeClair shares her story of leaving Scientology
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michelle LeClair is the former president of Scientology's international humanitarian organization. Michelle separated from the Church in 2011.
