Anne and Ellen broke up months ago and Anne returned to the ranks of heterosexuality. Anne heche is now dating a hunky cameraman, so yes, she WAS a lesbian poseur.
Guinastasia, good point about self-loathing. It seems a pity that their self-loathing comes directly from the source (i.e., their faith) that wants to “change them for the better” (i.e., make them straight) when it seems evident that kind of fundamental change is impossible, and trying to change one’s behavior to be contrary to one’s nature only increases that self-loathing. Nasty little catch-22, that.
betenoir, haven’t had a chance to, but I’ll check it out for ya. 
Eve, lesbians aren’t my specialty - go see andygirl, as I’m sure she’d be delighted to introduce you to the ways of womanly love (plus she’s just a few points shy of that toaster oven!).
vanilla, seems you are a bit behind the times - this happened like almost a year ago IIRC. And no, it’s only good in Vermont, and only good for state-level rights, but it seems only a matter of time before it spreads, IMHO, but only time will tell for certain.
Ethilrist, we can answer some questions here:
Well, since I know of no straight person living a gay lifestyle, I’d have to say there would be more closeted churchgoers than them. But I’ve certainly known many gay people who were deeply religious (Christian and otherwise) who hid their orientation from their congregation for either fear or knowledge that they would be ostracized.
Depends on the person - some, like the guy in the OP - say they’re gay, but play it straight. Some claim to have actually changed their orientation, like vanilla’s example, but, as she says, we can’t know someone’s heart - we can only take their word for it. Ultimately, for the faithful, it’s between them and God/Jesus/Divine Weasel. I, of course, take any claims of changed orientation with large lumps of salt, but others of their flock usually rally around them and celebrate “the big salvation from sin.” It’s when guys like Paulk get caught buying guys drinks in gay bars that the truth is usually told.
According to the Catholic church, openly gay men can be priests but, like all priests, must take a vow of celibacy. I am unfamiliar with other denomination’s practices.
Esprix
And I will apologize for my tone. I really did not mean to sound so snippy. I still don’t understand what straight-living-the-gay-lifestyle means; Does it mean that everyone is really straight and some of us are just “living the lifestyle” because…???
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by DrMatrix *
**
The people in charge of the program feel that some members of their congregation are straight but practice a homosexual lifestyle out of convenience, or habit, or cheap thrills, discounts at certain bars, don’t know what to buy women for Valentine’s day, whatever. The PIC have been trying to get them to give up this bad “habit” and switch to a hetero lifestyle so they’ll get married and breed more churchgoers who, hopefully, will be likewise straight.
That the program appears to have failed completely suggests that perhaps there is a problem with their initial hypothesis…
People like Anne Heche, or others who only do it for publicity, which is kind of rotten, in my opinion. I mean, it’s like saying, “Oh, it’s so trendy to be gay, that’s just sooo IN!” I hate people like that who follow every little trend.
And does anyone else think that Anne Heche looks VERY sickly? She’s so skinny and pale with the dark under eye circles?
Every time this topic comes up, I have an irresistible urge to post a link to this old Onion article.
Warning: the above-linked article contains graphic descriptions that will offend Victorian sensibilities. (Speaking of “thinking of England” and “doing it for the Queen.”)
Esprix,
Yes, I heard about Vermont of course.
But until its across the board-the United States instead of just one state only, its not quite good enough, Yes?
Yes.
Heck, I can only imagine what it would take to give up being homosexual.
Its almost impossible for me to give up Chocolate!
[hijack, sorry Esprix]
Hey, maybe she’s bi, let’s not all assume the worst of people.
[/hijack]
LaurAnge wrote:
Nonsense. Everybody knows that here in the U.S., you’re either “gay” or “straight”. There’s no such thing as “bisexuality.” :rolleyes:
That’s true, but for the most part, rumor has it she’s not, that she was just with Ellen for her career. Hell, even if she was bi, that still could’ve been her reason for being with Ellen, which would also be pretty shitty.
Whatever floats your boat.
Hee hee hee. Oooh, that’s gotta smart, hey Exodus? Hee hee hee. Thanks, Esprix, ya made my day.
More seriously, I was wondering if anyone has an address for Mr. Marks or his organization. I found a website, but I couldn’t tell if it was this particular group or a larger organization.
I think I’d like to send this man a letter. These people have some serious quantities of intestinal fortitude. Even though I disagree with their original premise, just think about it for a minute, kids.
They have admitted that they were wrong in very deeply-held beliefs that they’ve followed for many years. They’ve admitted their past 14 years’ lifework is not only a total failure, but probably was actively harmful to people they were trying to help. And, in doing so, they are gonna get LOADS of shit from their former friends and allies - and they knew that and did it anyway.
Wow. I don’t know about y’all, but I, for one, am impressed.
Don’t have a whole lot to add, except that (a) there seem to be a few “cures” (bleah!) – which I suspect to have been bi-oriented people successfully suppressing the gay aspect of their sexuality; (b) there are many Christians who are disgusted by the attitude these programs espouse; and © I for one don’t care who Anne Heche falls in love with and sleeps with, or what plumbing said person may have, and I’d like to encourage that attitude to everyone.
Finally, a great line from a local comedy club that fits the thread:
Mmmm… Johan Paulik…
Um, I gotta go watch “Lukas’ Story” now…
Esprix