The Ex-Lesbian Testimony of Debora Barr

[Baltimatt]

The "ex-straight" testimony of Mike Fleck.

While his professional dreams were becoming reality, Fleck said he was also weathering personal battles, namely his same-sex attraction which, contrary to all he believed and was taught, remained. “So I just prayed harder and put it in God’s hands,” he said, adding that as one of the county’s most visible couples, the unresolved feelings and pressure of public scrutiny took its toll and Fleck opted for therapy.

“I sought out treatment from a Christian counselor, but when that didn’t work out, I engaged a secular therapist who told me point blank that I was gay and that I was too caught up in being the perfect Christian rather than actually being authentic and honest,” Fleck said. He said the hardest part of the process has been reconciling his faith with his sexuality.

Mike Fleck is a Republican representative in Pennsylvania who graduated from Liberty University and was active in the Boy Scouts as a youth and an adult. He was gay all along, despite how hard he tried not to be.

[SalisburySage]

The "ex-straight" testimony of Mike Fleck.



Mike Fleck is a Republican representative in Pennsylvania who graduated from Liberty University and was active in the Boy Scouts as a youth and an adult. He was gay all along, despite how hard he tried not to be.

Stories like this make me sad and pensive. Its reminds me of all the great suffering and death caused by organized religion. Millions dead, untold suffering over notions about what God thinks.

Then I am reminded of all those who went into monasteries, or who suffered in many worse ways than Mike Fleck. I knew so many who after going to a catholic High School tried to become priests to escape their homosexuality, all to no avail.

When they realized that God did not give a rat's @$$ about their homosexuality some went crazy overboard and sometimes as a result contracted AIDS.

A few like me only had a few sexual partners and escaped the tragedy of AIDS. But still I spent my best years hiding who I was and suffered greatly.

Still I was lucky enough to produce two children and for that I am grateful.
But the suffering I went through in High School -I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

[SalisburySage]

LoL! Yep, it's still a free for all around this forum!

Luckily there are lots of other forums on the internet which have competent moderation. It's really shocking to see a moderator who claims to be gay, but allows such blatant anti-gay hatred to be spread here.

He's a moderator, not a censor. He has to walk a fine line between free and open discussions and unreasonable censorship. I ain't easy.

I really wish we could be more frank on this forum especially since I have the dirty mouth of a sailor but I am willing to tone it down so I don't get banned. But honestly that's the only reason I don't totally flame the bigots and homophobes on this forum.

I've been on Nationals in one incarnation or another since 1999 and I enjoy it. It used to be quite a free for all and people got banned routinely. Personal attacks were sometimes vicious. Things are totally milquetoast compared to those days.

But don't hate the moderators because they are human and sometimes make mistakes and are over-jealous. As far as allowing anti-gay hatred to be spread - if you can't take the heat get out of the kitchen. The really offensive people get put on my ignore list. I found that this is much better for my blood pressure.

[Baltimatt]

Sage--

It was a hard thing for him to do, particularly given his background. I wish some of the commenters on joemygod would be a little more charitable.

Thanks also for your kind words.

[kudzu]

Hah that's a laugh. You are the poster boy for Whiny Victim.

Says the "conservative homo".

I don't whine. I don't ask for any help

I can take care of myself.

[SalisburySage]

Says the "conservative homo".

I don't whine. I don't ask for any help

I can take care of myself.

There are millions of us. Get over it.

[kudzu]

There are millions of us. Get over it.

Millions of elderly (extreme)conservative sausage stuffers ? I seriously doubt it.

[Kenect2]

As far as allowing anti-gay hatred to be spread - if you can't take the heat get out of the kitchen.

Yeah, that's why lots of gender sex minorities commit suicide. They can't take the heat. And that's why competent forum moderators who are allies of GSMs create safe spaces and actively fight against anti-GSM hate.

Imagine saying that nonsense to a black person in a white-only store during the civil rights movement. You should be ashamed of yourself.

[RavnFreek]

Did Barr trade in her Subaru too?

LMAO!!! I thought they drove PT cruisers

[Baltimatt]

RavnFreek--

http://lesbianlife.about.com/od/othe...esbianCars.htm

Subaru Forester is the top lesbian car according to this list.

[kudzu]

Yeah, that's why lots of gender sex minorities commit suicide.

What the hell is a "gender sex minority" ?

And that's why competent forum moderators who are allies of GSMs create safe spaces and actively fight against anti-GSM hate.

Do you understand what the function of a moderator is ? It's not to actively fight ANYTHING. It's to moderate.

Imagine saying that nonsense to a black person in a white-only store during the civil rights movement. You should be ashamed of yourself.

You should be ashamed of yourself for comparing race to sexual preference.