Former "Ex-Gay" Poster Boy John Paulk Competes On Cooking Reality Show

Last night former "ex-gay" poster boy John Paulk competed on the cooking reality show Cutthroat Kitchen. The show was promoted by Go Local PDX on Friday:

"The fast-paced energy I experienced while taping the episode last summer was exhilarating," said Paulk. "I've never had more fun in my life competing with other talented chefs." This in not Paulk's first appearance on T.V. For several years, Paulk was a regular guest on local television morning shows doing cooking demonstrations. Currently, Paulk is preparing to launch his new, weekly radio show, "Talking with our Mouths Full," on Wild Planet Radio, KPQR 99.1 FM. - Portland's new radio station aimed at the LGBT community. Paulk is the former founder and leader of the ex-gay ministry 'Love Won Out,' which promotes freedom from homosexuality through the power of Christ. He has since left the ministry and denounced gay reparative therapy. Paulk's Mezzaluna Fine Catering has serviced many politicians and leaders with close ties to Portland's gay community.

Paulk's fall from "ex-gay" grace began in 2000 when activist Wayne Besen caught him in a DC gay bar. He resigned from Love Won Out shortly after Focus On The Family head James Dobson confronted him about the incident. Paulk disavowed the "ex-gay" movement in 2013 and has since issued public apologies.

(Tipped by JMG reader Daniel)

HomoQuotable - John Paulk

"There was a time in my life when I used to sound a lot like Rick Perry. In fact, for more than ten years I was one of the nation’s leading spokesmen for the 'ex-gay' movement. I traveled the country telling audiences that being gay was a preventable condition, and it could be treated if only you followed a simple plan, obeyed God and sought repentance for your sins. 'Ladies and gentlemen, homosexuality is not a genetic, inborn condition,' I would say. 'It is the result of traceable causes that, once unraveled, can bring about understanding and transformation in the life of one who is motivated and submitted to God.' [snip]But I was in denial. It wasn’t in fact true, any of it. Worse than being wrong, it was harmful to many people—and caused me years of pain in my own life. Which is why I have this to say to the Rick Perrys of the world: You don’t understand this issue. At all." - Former "ex-gay" poster boy John Paulk, writing for Politico Magazine.

Read the full essay.

HomoQuotable - John Paulk

"It’s funny, for those of us that worked in it, behind closed doors, we knew we hadn't really changed. Our situations had changed - we had gotten married, and some of us had children, so our roles had changed. I was a husband and father; that was my identity. And the homosexuality had been tamped down. But you can only push it down for so long, and it would eke its way out every so often. I went to a gay bar - not looking for sex, which is what people thought - but because I was missing my community. I was looking to sit in a place with people I felt comfortable with, and that was other gay people.

"I would be in hotel rooms, and I would be on my face sobbing and crying on the bed. I felt like a liar and a hypocrite. Having to go out and give hope to these people. I was in despair knowing that what I was telling them was not entirely honest. I couldn’t do it anymore. For 25 years I felt guilty and filled with self-loathing, trying to reject this part about myself. I’m culpable - I spread the message that my sexuality had changed, and I used my marriage as proof of that." - Former "ex-gay" poster boy John Paulk, quoted in a Newsweek article about the movement he once led.

RECOMMENDED: Read the full story.

"Ex-Gay" Crackpot Anne Paulk: God Punishes Gay Men With Early Death

Anne Paulk says nothing about her former husband and partner in the national "ex-gay" movement. Probably because he's renounced his not-gayness and is once again enjoying the company of the menz.

"Ex-Gay" Group: If You Hook Up At Our Convention You Totally Don't Get A Refund

The Restored Hope Network, which arose from the ashes of Exodus International, will hold its annual convention in Portland, Oregon during the last weekend in June just in case anybody was planning on attending gay pride. And should you totally by accident find your mouth on a cock during your late night wanderings around the host hotel? No refund! From the convention code of conduct:

Restored Hope Network requires that all participants at the Restoring Hope Conference adhere to standards of conduct in keeping with Christian professional standards. This includes abstaining from all forms of immoral behavior. Disruption of the conference in any form is not acceptable, including but not limited to: interrupting conference presenters or activities; distributing literature, materials, or audio or video recording at the conference that have not been pre-approved by Restored Hope Network Board of Directors; campaigning for alternative religions, philosophical or political views; on-site demonstrations; seeking sexual contacts; harassing others; using alcohol or narcotics; or sharing registration with other persons. Persons asked to leave for violation of the Code of Conduct will not be eligible for refunds.

RELATED: Today's notice comes from Anne Paulk, the ex-wife of former "ex-gay" poster boy John Paulk, who last June apologized for his time with the "ex-gay" industry and denounced the work now being carried on by the still-totally-lesbian Anne.  Scheduled to speak at the event is NARTH co-founder Joseph Nicolosi, who presumably won't mention the other NARTH co-founder who was caught in the Miami airport returning from vacation with a lithe young male prostitute.

Tweet Of The Day - John Corvino

NOTE: Corvino co-authored Debating Same-Sex Marriage with Gallagher.  And this is John Paulk.

Petition Of The Day

Details.

"Ex-Gay" Leader Formally Apologizes

"For the better part of ten years, I was an advocate and spokesman for what’s known as the 'ex-gay movement,' where we declared that sexual orientation could be changed through a close-knit relationship with God, intensive therapy and strong determination. At the time, I truly believed that it would happen. And while many things in my life did change as a Christian, my sexual orientation did not.

"So in 2003, I left the public ministry and gave up my role as a spokesman for the 'ex-gay movement.' I began a new journey. In the decade since, my beliefs have changed. 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. I know that countless people were harmed by things I said and did in the past.

"Parents, families, and their loved ones were negatively impacted by the notion of reparative therapy and the message of change. I am truly, truly sorry for the pain I have caused. 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." - John Paulk, in a statement released to GLAAD.

RELATED: Last week's statement by Paulk, in which he claimed his "ex-gay" message had been "misconstrued," was not very well received.  Hit that link for much more about his back story and role in creating the "ex-gay movement."

Ex-Gay Poster Boy John Paulk Apologizes: I No Longer Support Ex-Gay Movement

John Paulk, the man many "credit" with launching the "ex-gay" movement in the United States, has apologized for his past and denounced the "ex-gay" industry.  From an interview with Portland's PQ Monthly:

"Until recently, I have struggled all my life in feeling unloved and unaccepted,” Paulk said. “I have been on a journey during the last few years in trying to understand God, myself, and how I can best relate to others. During this journey I have made many mistakes and I have hurt many people including people who are close to me. I have also found a large number of people who accept me for who I am regardless of my past, any labels, or what I do.”

Paulk continued, “I no longer support the ex-gay movement or efforts to attempt to change individuals — especially teens who already feel insecure and alienated. I feel great sorrow over the pain that has been caused when my words were misconstrued. I have worked at giving generously to the gay community in Portland where I work and live. I am working hard to be authentic and genuine in all of my relationships.”

Truth Wins Out provides some background on Paulk:

John Paulk was at one time the most well known and influential person in the “ex-gay” industry, appearing on the cover of Newsweek with his wife Anne in 1998 under the headline, “Gay For Life?” He was instrumental in forming the Love Won Out “ex-gay” roadshow, which subjected countless LGBT youth and their families to misinformation, indoctrination and lies, and which destroyed many families in the process. In 2000, Wayne Besen, founder of Truth Wins Out, photographed John Paulk coming out of a Washington, DC, gay bar, and the lies began to unravel. Though John resigned from the board of Exodus International following this incident, the Religious Right continued to use the Paulks’ story as evidence that the “ex-gay” life was a fairy tale rather than a nightmare, and many LGBT people and their families have been damaged or destroyed over the years as a result.

Truth Wins Out founder Wayne Besen says "not good enough."

"It is not enough to simply send an e-mail that says, ‘I’m sorry.’ John Paulk must work to atone for the damage he has done to LGBT families by taking a public role in renouncing and working against the harmful ‘ex-gay’ industry by embarking on a speaking tour to show that he truly has changed. Further, he should advocate for a bill in Oregon that would ban so-called ‘reparative therapy’ for minors. Only then can he start to repair the damage he has done to countless LGBT people and their families.”

RELATED: Last April I posted a report that Paulk's Facebook page was "littered with Glamor Shots-style images of Paulk and attractive men" and that his profile stated that he is "interested in women and men."