After spending seven years as the triumphal face of the religious-based ex-gay movement, the aptly-named Christian Schizzel now admits he’s totally gay and says reparative therapy is “harmful and excruciatingly painful.”
In an interview with Religious News Service, Schizzel speaks out against the Janet Boynes Ministries and The Bachmann & Associates counseling centers (yes, the ones run by America’s sweetheart Michele “Killer Clown” Bachmann and her totally masculine-sounding husband Marcus) and says his sexuality has been — both knowingly and unknowingly — “exploited” by the Christian community.
“I’m coming out this second time as my true self — a gay man — louder than before,” he says, “so we can all learn from the mistakes made and the harmful effects of reparative therapy can be uncovered and so that people who have used my story against other gay people won’t have it as a weapon anymore.”
Schizzel, who was taught that his gayness was the result of childhood sexual abuse, says he was not only fed his answers before going on talk shows but that he was encouraged — by religious folks — to lie about his newfound attraction to women.
As for reparative therapy itself, Schizzel says it goes a little something like this:
“There was a psychological ‘breaking-me-down’ and isolation process from my friends and family because they were considered unhealthy. They did this to achieve complete domination over me to build me up and mold me from there. I had to do activities that were stereotypically manly and I couldn’t have too many female friends that would encourage me to be effeminate.”
Even though the Janet Boynes Ministries claims to embrace “love” and “acceptance,” Schizzel says when he told Boynes he was no longer interested in the de-gaying process, she demanded he delete her contact information and never speak to her again.
“In the end,” says Schizzel, “my sexuality is a beautiful gift from God, and every day, I have found, I have to make a choice to honor it in the straight man’s world.”
Amen.
Ladbrook
Kudos to Queerty for sharing two great stories today about brave young men breaking away from the “conversion” racquet! Both men are very inspirational!
I can’t help but think that some these “therapists” are “ex-gays” and closet cases themselves. If so, it opens up these vulnerable young men to a lot of potential abuse. I’m not accusing anyone of anything specifically, but I won’t be surprised to learn one day that some of these “counselors” are engaging in some vile predatory behavior. I suspect we’ll be hearing about that at some point soon, as well.
Xzamilio
“In the end,” says Schizzel, “my sexuality is a beautiful gift from God, and every day, I have found, I have to make a choice to honor it in the straight man’s world.”
I wouldn’t go that far, but if embracing who you are means taking on a lite version of iron age mythology, then do you, my good man. I still see no benefit in using superstitious nonsense to live your truth… sounds almost contradictory to me.
Ladbrook
Ha! I MEANT “RACKET”. This ain’t tennis.
Alan down in Florida
Better late than never.
Saint Law
@Ladbrook: Oh.I pictured them lobbing balls at him.
barkomatic
I’m glad he got over his ex-gayness after promoting bigotry but now let’s not give this guy any more attention.
Garrett
@Ladbrook: You are more correct than you know. I was in therapy in HS after coming out at 16. It was my father’s idea and the therapist was recommended by someone at our church. Long story short, he tried to get into my pants by the third session. And he was married. Unlike most kids, I told on him. He’s not a therapist anymore. And I’m as gay as they come.
SteveDenver
Glad to hear that he is rejecting the harmful quackery of conversion ABUSE. Hope he discovers a happy and fulfilling life, and that he does not become discouraged when the going gets rough. This is real life!
QJ201
I wouldn’t even know who this pathetic person was if it weren’t for this post.
Harley
@barkomatic: @QJ201: We should keep him on the talk show circuit as well as other survivors from the “ex-gay” movement who come out as still gay. There have to be hundreds of victims out there who need to tell the stories of abuse in these places. Particularly with Ladybird’s “clinic”. We need to expose these cults for the deranged psychopaths that they are.
DrewEurope
Why would anyone give a flying f**k? someone was a d**k and then he wasn’t – not exactly riveting news.
Charlie in Charge
@DrewEurope: I mean that’s essentially the plot of Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol.
tricky ricky
@Alan down in Florida: or as the late great Robin Williams put it on his comedy album, Reality What a Concept, better latent than never.
AtticusBennett
it’s important that these guys share their stories. there are far too many deluded liars pretending to be “ex-gays” and we need to shut that shit DOWN.