LGBT News Former ex-gay leader marries same-sex partner

John Smid, formerly a leader within Love In Action, is an "ex-ex-gay." After a notorious case in which a teenager was forced to attend conversion therapy against his will, Smid experienced a crisis of conscience and left the ex-gay movement. Shortly after, he came out as a gay man and repudiated his ex-gay past.

Now he has married another man.

Link: John Smid, Former 'Ex-Gay' Leader, Marries A Man In Oklahoma

This story has caused some controversy.

Some see John Smid as an anti-gay bully who now personally benefits from the long, hard-fought battles for equality.

Others see him as a victim of religious brainwashing who had to face a difficult journey out of fundamentalist religion in order to truly be himself.

What are your thoughts?

 

Yup, he's an ex-ex-gay (former ex-gay).

I used to think that "ex-ex-gay" just meant "gay," but not really. The ex-gay movement involved such damaging religious teachings that the group of people who have left the ex-gay movement really have shared some unique and traumatic experiences.

And I agree with kumawool, that this is a sign that love won. The real anti-gay bullies involved in the ex-gay movement haven't taken the risks that John Smid did - of quitting their jobs and speaking out against what they learned was wrong.