Straight Interview of Grace

absolutely amazing. i sent you an email....i hope you respond soon.

God loved you enough to create you as a gay human being.. Why are you perverting his intent by pretending to be somebody you aren't?

I dont care who you sleep with.

I dont care what God or Mom or whoever "wants" me to do with my life.

Leave gods, moms and teachers alone. They have their life.

Just relax man. Live Your Life.

Whatever your path is. Just live.

Go and drink some tea.

thank you so much for telling your story. the government schools and the liberal media are shouting; they are so loud. their noise almost drowns the truth. but yet there's your humble voice, one of many, speaking about the truth of Christ, the truth of reality. this discourse is so important when everyone's been programmed not to listen to it (just read the comments below). thank you, thank you.

The Taliban gave their lives to God. They crashed into the World Trade Center and into Pennsylvania shouting "God is Great".

This fellow obviously believes heterosexual marriage is the only path to life-long fidelity. He is blinded by idealism and fails to see the number of divorces, cheating husbands, unhappy marriages.

He talks more about "wanting to be a girl" while young. A small percentage of homosexuals experience that. He could actually be transgendered. A lot of transgendered people are bisexual or heterosexual.

I participate in discussion groups for men over 40 at the Gay Community Center. I'm amazed at how many men like this one forced themselves into heterosexual marriages only to end up realizing they were miserable (4 to 40 years later). Their divorces damaged themselves, their wives and their children.

Basically he seems to be saying that he's still gay but he has given up having a loving relationship with another man because it goes against one particular fundamentalist version of Christianity. Maybe this would be more interesting if there were some images or action instead of a static interview shot.

As another person who has left the gay identity and sought to find love and fulfillment in God and the opposite sex instead of the same sex, I am thrilled that Current has proven to be truly open-minded and tolerant of opposing viewpoints.

Mike's testimony is one of truth and grace and since he is also a friend I am very excited for him to have had the opportunity to participate in this project.

I was a lesbian for 10 years, I left 5 years ago.

I am also Jewish, and a democrat.

While I do not agree with all the claims
of the religious right, on this issue I agree.

Sexuality is fluid, and it is possible for
some one who was gay to turn straight.

Gay activist show little skeptisim
when a cute straight person turns gay;
why should I be persecuted now that I
am married with a kid.

I use to be attracted only to
women, today I love men.

-Kathy Wasserman


“Change is the essence of life.Be willing to surrender what you are for what you could become.”

link

link

The Three Myths About Homosexuality

Myth #1

Homosexuality is normal and biologically determined.

The truth...

There is no scientific research indicating a biological or genetic cause for homosexuality. Biological factors may play a role in the predisposition to homosexuality. However, this is true of many other psychological conditions.

Research suggests that social and psychological factors are strongly influential. Examples include problems in early family relationships, sexual seduction, and sense of inadequacy with same-sex peers, with resulting disturbance in gender identity. Society can also influence a sexually questioning youth when it encourages gay self-labeling.


Myth #2

Homosexuals cannot change, and if they try, they will suffer great emotional distress and become suicidal. Therefore, treatment to change homosexuality must be stopped.

The truth...
Psychotherapists around the world who treat homosexuals report that significant numbers of their clients have experienced substantial healing. Change has come through psychological therapy, spirituality, and ex-gay support groups. Whether leading married or committed celibate lives, many report that their homosexual feelings have diminished greatly, and do not trouble them as much as they had in the past.

The keys to change are desire, persistence, and a willingness to investigate the conscious and unconscious conflicts from which the condition originated. Change comes slowly, usually over several years. Clients learn how to meet their needs for same-sex nurturance and affirmation without eroticizing the relationship. As they grow into their heterosexual potential, men and women typically experience a deeper and fuller sense of themselves as male or female.

If some homosexuals do not wish to change, that is their choice, yet it is profoundly sad that gay-rights activists struggle against the right-to-treatment for other homosexuals who yearn for freedom from their attractions.


Myth #3
We must teach our children that homosexuality is as normal and healthy as heterosexuality. Teenagers should be encouraged to celebrate their same-sex attractions.

The truth...

Scientific research supports age-old cultural norms that homosexuality is not a healthy, natural alternative to heterosexuality. Research shows that gay teens are especially vulnerable to substance abuse and early, high-risk sexual behavior. It does far more harm than good to tell a teenager that his or her attractions toward members of the same sex are normal and desirable. Teens in this position need understanding and counseling, not a push in the direction of a potentially deadly lifestyle.
A 1992 study in Pediatrics found that 25.9% of 12-year-olds are uncertain if they are gay or straight. The teen years are critical to the question of self-labeling, so the facts must be presented in our schools in a fair and balanced manner.

Re: Myth #1 - there are actually hundreds of other animals besides humans that have been observed engaging in homosexual activity. The fact that current research hasn't isolated a specific base pair that triggers the behavior doesn't actually debunk the idea that there is a biological basis. If you google "homosexuality genetic trait", lots of peer reviewed articles come up that do in fact reveal scientific consensus that there is a (still poorly understood, but real) link between biology and gay behavior. That just means that there's more work to be done to refine our understanding, not that the entire premise is incorrect.

Personally, I find the genetic explanation easier to believe than the notion that gay warthogs were simply encouraged by warthog society to gay self-label.

In addition to being an amateur video producer, I'm also one of the several scientists who have discovered genetic links for sexual orientation. However, I refrained from commenting on this Pod because Current is supposed to be a forum for the free exchange of ideas, and because Current Staff specifically requested that comments focus on the video itself rather than the message. Thus it is dissapointing that "FormerLesbian", who apparently registered for Current soley to comment on this pod, has instead posted a lengthy manifesto about her theories on the origins of homosexuality.

But they aren't even her ideas or her words. The entire post is lifted directly from the websiite of the "National Organization for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality."

That's plagarism.

As for constructive comments about the video - it would be much more convincing if there were some objective evidence that the subject had really changed his orientation. Do you have an fMRI scan of his neurological responses to male and female phermones? More important, where's his girlfriend? Now *that* would make an interesting video.

This works very poorly as a video pod. A monologue from a static talking head couldn't be less interesting ... and the comments made, a sort of superstition-based public service announcement, are not effective because there is no interplay of ideas. Perhaps sexual identity is fluid, and who really is to say where different individuals fall along the spectrum at any given time? However, this only serves to remind that those who claim to be christian and full of some god's love, are merely souls tortured by the twisted lies of homophobic extremists. Sad.

Hi everyone. Just to clarify, it's totally fine to debate the content of the video as well as its execution -- Dean, I'm really curious about your research and encourage you to share. I just know that like abortion, this issue can be very personal and something people have passionate feelings about, so I just wanted to make sure that the discussion remains respectful, which I think it has -- in spite of people's views for or against the point of view represented in the piece.

This is one man's journey through life and I welcome that he shares this with us. I don't suppose that everyone with homosexual feelings is comfortable with them and it is encouraging to see that a person can work through this to a find a peace within themselves. However it might look to someone else, he has found his place with himself and his God. Isn't that wonderful?

This is CRAAAZZZZYY I don't believe him for a second. In fact, there is a Canadian film called CRAZY that deals with a boy trying to ignore his homosexuality--guess what, it didn't work out.

BUT, denial is a powerful thing. You can convince yourself to believe anything you want.

AAAH! Mike makes me very angry! But it's still important to see that there are people out there who think this way. And, this is his choice. As long as he is happy with is choice and he's not hurting anyone I don't see the harm. BUT, I think it's harmful to perpetuate a negative stigma associated with homosexuality.

Is Bobd going to be around when Mike is 50 singing in drag at the local cabaret? Because I bet he’ll go from one extreme to the other.

Oh yeah, and "FormerLesbian" still associates herself with the label of "lesbian" why not just be?

First off, I definitely agree with Joe - Visually, a static cam is not the most effective way to tell a story. There is very little in this pod that would be lost if this were a radio interview instead of a pod on Current.

The idea that sexual identity is fluid is something that I have no qualms about. Many people decide that they are homosexual later in life, and the idea that people might come to the other conclusion after identifying as gay seems only reasonable.

The fact that this transformation is almost always accompanied by Christian doctrine does make me a bit skeptical as to the actual impetus for their new orientation.

Beyond that, many of these organizations who work towards changing people's sexuality do so through coercive means. The sort of stuff that we see in Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange and that disturbs me to no end.

It amaze's me that people will make out rageous claim's like "many of these organizations who work towards changing people's sexuality do so through coercive means".

I sought help on my own, I am an eduated women with
a great deal of skepticism for most things.

But my truth is as I stand today, and that is I no longer
have sexual thoughts for the same sex.

I am a supporter of gay right and would never want to see
any one forced to do anything agsint ones will.

But for any one to snuff out my own life experince and then blame
it own religious fanatics is simply take a lot of 'chutzpah' .

One could easily argue that millions of youth through pro gay youth programs are being coerced into a homosexual identity;especialy given that many of there parents are not told.

And to Dr Hammer I have great respect for youre work in this area.

Youre book 'Living With Our Genes'. speculates that genetics may explain male homosexuality, lesbianism may be more a product social psychology than genetic tendency.

The truth is in my life change was possible and it happened.

And for some one to tell me that I am lying, is not only hurtful but smacks of elitism.

.

i find it interesting how sometimes those who claim to be the most open and non-judgmental, still find it within themselves to group all of one type of people and judge who they are and what they believe. this piece may be boring. it may not satisfy us aesthetically, but it's a guy who wanted to tell his story. remove all emotion and then view the film.

i was just about to praise this video for its technical effort. at first i LOVED the way the director edited the piece together and left me questioning whether the director believed this tale or not - it made the piece seem very unbiased....


then i read the last title card and it just blew it.


the piece turned immediately to propaganda. too bad.

May the Lord continue to bless you! This is what the youth of this generation have to hear that It's NOT ok to live gay (being gay is a negative influence of this society)! What happened to Jesus in people's lives... what about the Bible, what happened to our belief in God?... People have suddenly forgotten. The Lord loves each and everyone of you equally - doesn't matter what you have done in the past (and that's ANYTHING you've done). Anyone can be redeemed through Jesus.

Two brief points.

One, I'm not sure what the question is that started this thread, but if the question is whether sexual orientation is mostly or wholly biologically or socially determined, I have to say I am inclined to choose the latter. Biology determines our bodies, society determines our minds and relationships. So yes, it's possible -- probable, I think -- to "choose" one's sexual orientation, as much as it's possible to choose one's behavior, one's language, one's religion or philosophy of life, or one's nationality. Well, of course some of those matters of identity aren't exactly offered to us as a free choice, at least not as children and adolescents, but the earlier one is exposed to more ways of being and communicating, the more likely one is going to be able to choose -- and change -- those matters of identity as an adult.

Two, in all due respect to these "Exodus" / religious anti-gay deprogramer folk, I don't mean to suggest you're not doing God's work, and like I said in so many words above, I don't think you're off base in saying that homosexual people can't change their sexual orientation -- or at least their behavior related to sexual orientation -- but rather, why do you only seem to work with (or at least showcase) MEN who changed from the gay "lifestyle" to a straight and presumably Christian lifestyle? Are there women who you have helped change their preference and convert, and would you say that you are more popular and maybe more successful with men rather than women? And if so, why?

I think that these questions will help go to the root of why it's hard for so many people to accept deprogramming / thearpy groups like this. I think it might also make your group a lot more popular, at least with straight guys, who I'm sure would really like to help you deprogram the cute-looking barely legal teen lesbians. I'm sure this is not a new idea for you, I think you could go through your email spam folder and deduce as much.

This guy is repressing his natural sexual orientation.

It's very sad that he has been brain-washed to think that he is not good enough.... being himself... being gay.

God will not take away his attractions.....

because they are natural, and they are good.

Love is good. ALL love is good.

Someday soon, he will visit gay.com once again...

I'd love to interview him on my talk show though, at brucewagner.com ...

Oh yes of course "brainwahsed" that must be it!

So any one and everyone who no longer has same sex attractions is being brain washed.

If such a comparsion was offered for the rise of homosexuality
in the youth today, gay advocate groups would scream homophobic!

To date there is still no gay gene as much as the media
tries to spin it!

My experince is of one who personalu lived the gay life for years,
and today I am married with three children.

Bruce you are right "Love is good" and the relationship I
have with my husband today is good and real.

i do not agree that "all love is good", but healthyand wise love is good.

Sexuality to me is fluid in some degree, society can also in many
ways encourage certain behaviors.

Being gay felt good at the time, I thought I was right, know
I know that being right is relative.

My truth then was not my truth today.

It is possible that some years I could return to gay
relationships, while I doubt this will happen, I never
rule out the possible.

I would have never thought I would be happily married,
and in love with a man.

Me and my husband have children and if one of those
kids grow up to be gay we will love her with our whole heart.
I hold no grudge against the gay community, in fact
many of my dearest,closest friends who know that
I am an ex gay are gay.
They knew me when I was a lesbian,
and we remain freinds.

The truth is the world needs love and understanding
though we may not fully understand each other.


What I dread is the notion that if you have same sex
attractions you can never change.

This to me is absurd and not grounded in reason,
but in poltics.

Gay groups want to claim homosexuality is innate
just like race.Even with race under certain conditions color
can change, why would something like sexual attarction
be ay different?

So please do not claim that thousands of ex gay people
are forced and brain-washed to change.

I would oppose any person being forced to do anything
aginst there will.

The gay community must understand as millions come
out of the closet a large number of people find that its not
for them and the struggle for gay people is to be tolerant
and accpeting of these people, just as many have been
to them.

Instead of calling people brainswashed, lets us all be more open
to discussion and never assuming we know it all.

Jennifer

I also support PFOX
link

What happend to my comment?

Bigotry in anyform is controversial because at the root of our goodness is the kowledge that we cannot judge eachother for being who we are. This could be a long dietribe about religion and sexuality but it wouln't help anyone. I just have to watch the agruments and acusations fly as the people on this forum switch hit eachother into dogmatic submissions and see how this plays out. Greenlight , more for catalyst than than content.

"Love One Another"

I am so glad this guy posted this video. He is completely right. And just to tell those of you who think he is just "brainwashed" or "repressing his natural feelings", like him many have come out of homosexuality and they stay that way for good.

Gay activist think that they are not susceptible to bigotry,
but they are.

The hatred that comes from them when I tell them, I have
left homosexuality often saddens me.

The gay community has placed its political survival on
saying being gay is genetic, despite there being no facts
to support this claim.

Thousands of questioing youth enter gay youth programs, many
times with out the parents knowledge.

My nephew is 14 and hi mother found out that his school
counselor was helping him lie to his parents.

The counselor would tell the student because youre kids
are religious theymay hurt you if you come out to them.
So behind there backs she got him ibn contact to a gay youth
program.

It wa snot until after some months of gay literature coming in
the house, did his parents question him.

For the gay community to be hypocritracal and have the gaul to attack ex gay groups, while having pro gray youth groups with out parents knowing is shameful!

How many young people enter this youth groups and come out
radical gay activist,all with unlce sams money.

Gay people need to learn to be tolerant of those of us who
no longer want to be gay.

Some of us beleive that the lifestlye is
not healthy or good for us and we seek to help others leave.

Thats our right also and we will never give it up.
Tolerance is a two way street.

Jennifer

I believe that he was able to change his sexual preferences but I am still dubious about what really caused it. I can't say I believe God changed him to make him better because he was obviously living very conflicted to begin with. Im glad the change makes him happy but I didnt find the video itself very engaging. The way his tale is presented is rather flattened to me. No green light.

Molly,

I agree the video was flat, but I do think he changed.
Maybe when he says god changed him he means, that
by relying on a greator power than self, he was able
to find control over his life. We should not judge him,
this is his story and his reality.

It's unfortunate that people have turned the comments section on this post into commentary on whether being gay is good or bad, right or wrong. That's not what this is about. Even though all of you who think being gay is wrong are stupid.
Anyway, I don't think I'll greenlight this. It's too long and lacking something. Even though I think it's good for people to see this, because all it does is enforce the fact that people are born gay, and that they do not have a choice.
I feel bad for this guy. Just the fact that he says that he will never experience hetero lust the same way he experienced gay lust is proof enough that he is still gay and God didn't cure anything.

Know what said being gay was not good. The debate is about a young
man who was living a lie and now has changed.
What is hateful about that.
The fact show that there is no gay gene!
Have aheart for this guy also, not just gay people.
You should embrace both those who have changed
and gay people.
Thats the real test, I love both.
I was a lesbian for years,I am no longer
accpet me for who I am..ex gay!

Great subject matter and the individual is articulate and expressive. It was captured well, the quick cuts could be polished up just a tad bit more. It's a very focused piece, with the one angle, one set, makes the viewer pay attention to the monologue.

May have been better to break it up with an interviewer every 20 seconds or so.

Overall, great pod.

Now I would accept another one if some kinda heterosexual whorish person could find themselves and become a realized homosexual monogamist, as well.

Anybody producing one?

God is good. but this comment is not a debate on the gay issue. Truce.

I can say from my personal testimony that people can change their sexual orientation. I was completely attracted to men when I was younger but now I am in a relationship and I may be getting married in a few months. Some people don't succeed in their struggle to change but I have studied homosexuality from front to back and I will say that it is possible if a person desires to change.

Change is possible I was a lesbian and now I am married.
Being straight and married is not as popular as when I
was gay, but hey this is my truth!

it's not the problem with hms aying he can change that bothers most people. it's the fact that he acts as if being straight is superiour to being gay. now, for one, i think the exgay crap is all bull, but thats just me. its the way he describes being gay, that every single gay person is just out there for sex and dont want a pure, monogomous relationship. well, considering me and my boyfriend have been together for 2 years, and know ne day he will be my life partner once we culd have somewhere to live together. oh, and just because i'm gay, and believe in slightly different translations and interpretations of certian verses, doesn't make someone not a christian. he implies that you can be gay, or christian, but not both, and that is a very limited point of view, as is most of the pod

He never said "being straight is superiour to being gay",

Just because you disagree with the guy doe snot mean you can twist his words.

The man is saying that for "him" this was what he needed to do, and he found healing in that choice. He never attacked other gay people,
he kept the focus on self.

Gay people get upset because they want the world to belive that ounce gay always gay.

But as my life and many others know that change is possible.
It does not mean that we hate gay people, it means we ask for
respect and tolerance.

I still have gay freinds, but I have never undermined there coming out stories, so please do not undermine the stories of people who leave homosexuality.

Our stories must be told, and we will began telling that story
more often.

True tolerance means tolerating ex gays also!