Everything wrong with the video of man 'delivered from being gay'
The “I don’t like mens no more” video has gone viral. The almost seven-minute long clip purports to show a young man being “delivered” from homosexuality during the COGIC 107th Holy Convocation. There are so many things wrong with this video, but I’d like to highlight the most glaring eyebrow-raising moments.
The huge overarching note of wrongness that rings throughout the video is the notion that being gay is something that could and should be prayed away. It’s painful to watch the bowtie-clad gentleman proclaim himself to be free of being gay. His church stomping, speaking in tongues performance is not quite believable. He seems to be trying to convince himself more so than the congregation. He lists the things he no longer desires to do such as carrying a purse and wearing make-up. Umm, sir. You can be a gay man and not wear make-up and not carry a purse. There’s no hard evidence, but I’d venture to say that most gay men don’t carry purses and wear make-up. If you’re going to ask the Lord to un-gay you, ask for more substantive changes. Better yet, own the fact that you’re gay and extract yourself from any institution that makes you feel less-than for having a consensual relationship with another adult.
Moving on.
Another “What just happened?” moment in this video is when the pastor tells the 100% not gay man to run down the aisle toward the camera and once again proclaim his newly acquired lack of gayness. The young man does as instructed and the result is a really awkward bizarro world Price is Right sprint to the camera. It’s strange and uncomfortable. It looks like a manufactured spectacle more so than a liberating, inspiring bit of gospel glory.
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The end of the video shows the pastor asking the now totally heterosexual man a little bit about his life. We learn that he is a 21-year-old college student who is studying to be a doctor and who has inexplicably authored 14 books. The pastor then gives the young man $100 and says that the Lord told him to do that and the Lord also told him that more money would be coming to the straight-as-a-board man because of his “newfound commitment.” So, let me get this straight. If you figure out how to un-gay yourself, God will give you money? Does this work for other “sins” too? If a straight man cheats on his wife, but then stops cheating, will he get money too? Everything about this video is ridiculous.
Watch the Gospel Remix Of The Video
I’m being a bit tongue-in-cheek here, but the general idea of making gay people feel ashamed and unworthy because of who they love is not the least bit funny. To add further insult to injury is the push towards magically turning gay people straight and then showering the newly un-gayed with praise admiration. It’s a dangerous farce that will only lead to doubt and depression for the gay people who have been pulled into this line of thinking. Hopefully, the young man in this video and others like him will be able to be their authentic selves in loving environments sooner than later.
Follow Demetria Irwin on Twitter at @Love_Is_Dope and connect with her on Facebook.
