A conservative Tennessee father took his teenage son to television court after the teen quit an expensive conversion therapy program he claimed he only agreed to attend to avoid being kicked out of his home.

Memphis dad Gregory Talbert claimed his son Michael, 18, owed him money after abruptly leaving the program he promised to complete.

The family feud gained attention online after appearing on a recent episode of Equal Justice with Eboni K. Williams published March 26 on YouTube, though it was unclear when exactly the case took place.

Michael said he was 17 and a high school senior when his dad caught him kissing an older boy during a sleepover.

He told the court his father threatened to evict him and that he believed he could 'end up on the streets,' which he alleged was the only reason he agreed to attend the program.

'You were going to kick me out because of who I am?' Michael said in court. 'You were valuing the money you had spent into this program over your relationship with your son. That makes no sense. Who could do that to their kid?'

Michael also described the program as abusive, saying he left after being told he was 'cursed' and a 'monster' for being gay.

According to her show's description on Apple TV and Fubo, Williams deals with 'small-claims court arbitrations,' a less formal legal process to resolve minor disputes that typically have an experienced attorney serve as the judge. 

'Michael, I'm so disappointed in your behavior. You cannot kiss another man, especially in my house. If you want to live a homosexual lifestyle, you'll need to move out,' his father texted him on May 8 at 9.34am, according to the episode.

'This behavior is unacceptable within our family and friend circle in Memphis,' Gregory added.

Michael responded with a profuse apology, saying he 'never meant to hurt' his dad.

'I don't want to move out,' Michael wrote back. 'I want to be with you and mom. I'll do whatever you need me to do.'

A few days later, Michael texted his dad again to tell him he found a gay conversion therapy program. It is unclear which Tennessee conversion therapy program Michael pitched to his father. 

'It's for three months and I'll need to go there every weekday from 8 AM–5 PM for June, July, and August,' Michael said. 'If I go to the program, can I continue living here?'

Gregory told his son that he had researched the program and approved of the idea.

'I like the director's philosophy about how no one is born homosexual,' he texted. 'It's behavioral and it can be fixed. Are you sure you want to do what it takes? The program is $6000!'

Michael admitted in the texts that he was 'scared to go' but said he did not want 'to lose you and mom.'

Michael told the tv judge the text messages he sent his father were during a period when he 'felt very stressed out.'

Gregory claimed he only issued a 'threat' or a 'bluff,' but Michael said he took his dad's words seriously given the family's church–centered, conservative lifestyle.

The teen detailed how he found the conversion therapy unbearable, alleging that he was repeatedly verbally abused.

'The director ... who my dad chalked up to be a great guy said I was cursed, said that I was going to hell and called all of us there monsters, that we were unworthy and that we needed the program to fix ourselves,' Michael said.

That elicited an emotional reaction from Williams, who stood up and took his hands to deliver an emotional face–to–face message as the teen's eyes welled up with tears.

'Young man, you are not cursed,' Williams said. '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.'

Williams added: 'I don't care what your daddy 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.'

When Gregory spoke up to say he felt 'the same way,' the judge shut him down and said, 'I'm not talking to you, sir.'

On July 3, Michael confessed to his dad that he did not 'like it here at all' and was 'still having thoughts about men.'

'I know it's only been a month, but I want to come home,' he wrote. 'The director has made me cry numerous times. I don't feel good here. I miss you and Mom. Can I please come home?'

But Gregory responded by saying his son 'needed to finish what you started,' pointing to the $6000 expense.

'Money doesn't grow on trees,' Gregory texted. 'How am I going to teach you to be a man if you don't keep your promises?'

'Just follow the rules and you'll be cured in two more months,' Gregory wrote to his son. 

Williams ironically noted how Michael could not leave 'because dear dad here spent $6,000 of his hard–earned money.'

Williams ultimately dismissed the case, saying that Michael 'deserves a father and a mother who loves him completely.' Her ruling as the arbitrator is final and unappealable.

As the episode ended, Gregory made one final plea to his son, arguing he just needed to 'make better choices.'

'Dad, I get that someone of your generation might not understand what it's like to be queer or on the LGBTQ+ spectrum,' Michael replied. 'But until you learn to accept me and love me for who I am, this relationship is not gonna work.'

It was unclear what happened afterward.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the Allen Group, which produces Equal Justice with Eboni K. Williams, for further comment and an update on the case.