At this time of year when discriminatory charities like the Salvation Army and the Union Mission are shilling for money and the self-congratulatory professional Christians likewise look to shake down the ignorant for money, it's appropriate to remember the dishonesty of these organizations and individuals. One of the starkest lies is their claim that gays can "change" and become straight. Their "ex-gay" programs serve two purposes: (i) to convince moron and/or political whore politicians that gays deserve no non-discrimination protections, and (ii) to shake down self-loathing, religiously brainwashed gays and their parents for lots of money. The truth? That no one can actually change their sexual orientation. All they can do is lie, deceive themselves and others, and live in torment. John Smid, who once ran Love In Action, an ex-gay ministry based in Memphis, twice tried to "turn straight" and has two failed marriages to women to prove it - Christofascist care nothing about the collateral damage done to straight spouses and children. Finally, Smid admitted that it all was a lie. Now, he has married and man and hopes to finally find "happily ever after. Here are highlights from Queerty:
John Smid, who once claimed to have been “cured” of homosexuality and who worked with various “ex-gay” groups, is once again a married man. Only this time, he didn’t marry a woman. He and his partner, Larry McQueen, announced they tied the knot last weekend.
In 1980, Smid left his wife to be with guys, but he had misgivings and tried to go straight again by marrying a second woman and becoming a leading spokesman for conversion therapy. He ran Love In Action, an ex-gay ministry based in Memphis, and sat on the board of Exodus International for 11 years.
In 2011, he went ex-ex-gay, divorcing his second wife and admitting he “never met a man who experienced a change from homosexual to heterosexual.” He apologized for his past actions and launched a new ministry, Grace Rivers, which caters to the gay community.
“I believe that due to my former notoriety, my marriage will definitely have its impact,” he just told Towleroad in an interview.
He says he hopes it will encourage other self-proclaimed “ex-gays” to learn to accept who they are and lead more open and truthful lives.
“I believe it is encouraging for other former ex-gays, and maybe even those who are still trying to hold on to their ex-gay belief system,” he said. “We think our relationship reveals something very normal, not strange or deceptive gay stereotypes. We have come to realize that our marriage is very much the same as your average heterosexual marriage.”
I can say for a fact that my marriage to my husband is pretty much the same as my heterosexual marriage was on a day to day basis. The only difference, I am not living as an actor on a stage and consumed by self-hate for my inability to "change." Today, we will have Thanksgiving dinner with friends and one of my daughters and her family - pretty much like straight couples across the country.
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