John Paulk, once one of the most
visible spokespeople for the “ex-gay” movement, has said he's
still gay.
Paulk appeared on the cover of Newsweek
in 1998 under the headline Gay for Life? Going Straight: The
Uproar Over Sexual “Conversion”. In the article, he promoted
the “ex-gay” ministry he founded, Love Won Out, and claimed that
like himself and his wife Anne, people can and do alter their
sexuality.
Paulk's status in the movement
diminished greatly in 2000 when Wayne Besen publicized spotting him
at a gay bar in Washington D.C.
Last week, Paulk said he no longer
supports attempts to change a person's sexual orientation from gay to
straight.
In a letter released this week, Paulk
apologized for the harm he may have caused through the promotion of
his “ex-gay” ministry.
“So in 2003, I left the public
ministry and gave up my role as a spokesman for the 'ex-gay
movement,'” Paulk wrote. “I began a new journey. In the decade
since, my beliefs have changes. Today, I do not consider myself
'ex-gay' and I no longer support or promote the movement. Please
allow me to be clear: I do not believe that reparative therapy
changes sexual orientation; in fact, it does great harm to many
people.”
“From the bottom of my heart I wish I
could take back my words and actions that caused anger, depression,
guilt and hopelessness. In their place I want to extend love, hope,
tenderness, joy and the truth that gay people are loved by God.”
(Read
the entire letter.)