Frank Schaeffer In Conversation with Author and Founder of JoelSpeaksOut.com, Joel Barrett, exploring his book, Godly… But Gay, his journey through "ex-gay therapy," and his work uncovering what is real and true without apology or pretense.
Refresh Page for Podcast
I’m all about empowering people to fearlessly be their most authentic self!
I am a survivor of ex-gay therapy. Some call it conversion therapy, reparative therapy or just plan counseling, but the goals are the same: To eliminate or reduce homosexual desires and actions. Needless to say, it didn’t work.
I am a recovering fundamental Baptist. If you don’t know what a fundamental Baptist is, I can explain: We thought the Southern Baptists were liberal.
I was a Baptist pastor married to a woman living the midwest raising our three children. Yes, I spent over 15 years in ministry before exiting that line of work to focus completely on becoming fixing myself so I could save my marriage and live as a straight man.
I always knew I was gay, but being gay wasn’t an option in the world I lived in so I kept trying to make it go away through church, prayer, scripture, and the pursuit of godliness because everyone told me that being gay was a sin and probably just about the worst sin anyone could commit.
Today I am happily married to my husband of over a decade. I share my colorful story with audiences everywhere to encourage them to live each day as their authentic, powerful and beautiful self. A life that isn’t motivated by fear. It is my goal to encourage people to LIVE. I hope to build bridges of understanding between what may seem to be opposing communities such as the LGBTQ community and religion.
Joel’s memoir of growing up Godly, but always knowing he was gay. He lived a life of fear and shame for over 30 years. In a dramatic twist, he came face to face with himself when he had an encounter with another closeted gay minister. The story of his journey to authentic living includes 3 years of conversion therapy, leaving the ministry, coming out to his wife and children, and conversation with God about faith. Joel doesn’t hold back. He shares the good, the bad, and the ugly in a refreshingly transparent manner that invites others into his colorful story
Now available!