What do Gay JW's go through? | Ste Richardsson [Ex Jehovah's Witness]

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[@coolguy10038]

If Jehovah designed romantic and sexual activity only for married opposite-sex couples, then what is the point of having romantic and sexual desires (developed during adolescence) in the first place? Surely he could have designed the body to develop these desires only when a person is married instead of giving it to us during our adolescence which sets people up to sin or to make obeying his laws based on sexuality even harder than it should be. If homosexuality is 'unnatural' as the Bible describes it, why does homosexuality seem to be irreversible? Surely, if God wants us to believe that homosexuality is 'unnatural' and unjustifiable, he could make homosexuality a choice, make it reversible and make it dangerous. What harm does homosexuality bring?

[@anthonydunn8199]

You're not Christian

[@anthonydunn8199]

@Calmness Tranquility well then he's not a Christian and he doesn't get the claim any of the things that Christians do when we leave this world

[@anthonydunn8199]

@Calmness Tranquility who taught you that she was at peace if she wasn't a Christian? Where did you get that from?

[@annetteblack6882]

I did indeed get something out of your story. You fought for your authentic self and that's inspiring and brave. Thank You for your activism, you did a fantastic job in this interview piece!!

[@cindyarnold7322]

I can totally relate to the stories. Yes, my mother was convinced there were "demons" and would accuse me of being "demonized". Now I know the " demons" are in your head and demonized does not mean what she thought it did! Thank you all for your courage in telling your stories!

[@guillermovilla9517]

Great stuff. I wish the video continued to talk more about wacky Jehovah’s Witness beliefs.

[@jeremiahtray5621]

How are they wacky? So being NORMAL and fellowing Jesus is wacky?

[@jeremiahtray5621]

@ItzPartyGirl That's what I said. Clearly being wacky is normal. Jehovah's Witnesses are the only normal people on this earth.

[@user-zw7or2tr4b]

@@jeremiahtray5621 i mean, what even is normal? i like respect your beliefs but i don’t respect your religion ruining peoples lives and twisting young peoples views on certain things when it’s not actually like that

[@uusijani]

Those glasses are GORGEOUS.

[@kittylove2975]

I enjoyed your story! Thank you for sharing...

[@purplefireweed]

THANKS for posting this, faithtofaithles--am going to watch the others as well. Really enjoy hearing people's stories and love that there is a vibrant exJW tribe helping and supporting one another--not something I had when I was DF'd the second time over 30 yrs ago! Yay science & technology! THANKS for your story Ste and thanks for turning your compassion and wisdom into tangible love and support in your community. It's awesome that you were so grounded and determined in your journey away from what was plainly fairy tales and control tactics. Glad you got out fairly unscathed! Not easy when you're queer--I knew when I was about 7 yrs old and have a fun story to tell about it sometime.. 1975 was a couple years later and I'm pretty sure surviving that year's angst as a small kid has more than a little to do with my particular current-day neuroses! The rhetoric and illustrations in the literature were terrifying, and the energy amongst Witnesses was fraught and fevered under the surface. Also, a lot of people were financially ruined because Armaggedon! This year! (A common trait of apocalyptic doomsday cults. People willingly fleece themselves thinking nothing will matter in the END, which is of course just around the corner..). Your work is important, and you're lucky it was your dad who stuck around and unwittingly helped you find your truer path! I'm closer to Lloyd's age and remember the Ghostbusters freakout. Along with pretty much every other film that wasn't Rated G (general audience), just about all music with lyrics, and every damn thing from the larger surrounding culture. Teens in our congreg rocked out anyway, on the sly. Zeppelin, AC/DC, Scorpions, Floyd, etc. No concerts though! Had to sneak shows when we could... Thankfully, my musical tastes evolved substantially over the decades! (I am now a strong advocate for music & arts education.) Anyhow, kudos to all the stories, all the survivors now thriving!

[@andreadiamond7115]

So interesting and sad.

[@schrecksekunde2118]

They are out and other people who need help now can get it. There's no reason to be sad, it's improving a lot. Imagine how the same life would have worked out 20-40 years ago. That's insane

[@FrozenWillow1980]

Well done Ste xx

[@jenburlock377]

Great video, and for my gen. it was no Magic Mountain, Lucky Charms cereal, troll dolls, and such. But glad you are out Ste, and hope it gives others the strength to find their own way of escaping. I can't say I faded, but moved and never went back to the meetings. Even at my moms funeral it felt weird being in there and looking at everything. It is now deemed to be sold soon under the guise of being cheaper to rebuild, than refurbish. I couldn't see anything wrong other than the place has no windows, but I am sure they need the money for the many lawsuits they keep having!

[@jessicaxentsa2249]

Love Ste's story and braveness, heard him speak at a cult conference in London!

[@bayou_redneck]

I’m a gay 🏳️‍🌈 former JW … was appointed an Elder at the age of 28 (very young and rare) … Regular Pioneer … and was about to enter Circuit Overseer training school … I stopped it right there … couldn’t continue the secret … 1.) came out … 2.) then THROWN out … I was disfellowshipped … Finally leaving the insanity of the religion was the best thing that ever happened to me.

[@loveoverfearalways]

Your story makes me happy that you got out and are living YOUR life - for you, and as you. Growing up my best friend was JW - but of course we could only be friends during school hours. When the summer came I knew I wouldn't see her again until September. Her parents were lovely and I did go to her house a couple times during our 12 years together. She's still JW and it breaks my heart. I don't talk with her often, but she's fairly successful on Instagram as a lifestyle influencer so I see her curated life that way. I want to steal her away from being a JW. I think about saying something to her - but I feel it'll be a lost cause. It's always made me so sad that her life hasn't been hers. I'm glad you got out.

[@lilac624]

Good for you

[@lisawalker1317]

The Care Bears as well was supposed to be demonic.

[@jdsthird]

It's amazing they can laugh at their past now. Shows how resilient and happy they are now despite everything.

[@wizner91]

Where can i find any info about meetings in uk and british museum tours?

[@charliesmith3777]

Here's part of my XJ gay-trans story. ==== Hi Jay. Just a little more about me, my personal story excerpt. I share this because a lot of XJWs end up as atheists, as you have. Some come out with their faith in God in tact. And some of us have just the opposite experience, which means they end up becoming one of the "anointed" and trying to figure out how the Bible prophecies work out. LOL. But here is something that might interest you. I'm Black and also gay. Only unlike some gay XJWs, I was trans. That is, once out, I started to live as a woman! I must say, growing up I had lots of "gender dysphoria." I was confused over my gender. But once I started taking hormones and living as a woman, I could relate to the person I now saw in the mirror. I was that woman. I had harmony and joy in my life for the first time in my life. This is a common experience for trans people. At any rate, I suppose part of the JOY of living as a woman had to do with 1) I actually could pass as a woman maybe 90% of the time. That's very important. You can't control your feelings, but you also can't control the way you look. I was black and basically never had much hair on my face or on my body. So if you feel like a woman and you can look like a woman, that makes a big difference. If you are too ugly and too masculine, then trying to live as a woman can be a problem. The goal is to look as much like a real woman and a model is the ideal. I was no where near being a pretty model. But there was something else wonderful that happened. I just happened to look a lot like DIANA ROSS! So I actually ended up making a good living performing in drag clubs as Diana Ross. What's nice is that I got a chance to meet her personally. I was working in a club in Studio City and Diana Ross came in to see me once, totally incognito. I heard that someone came in who might have been Diana Ross. I never saw her though. Anyway, when she was in Vegas I went to see her. I had my PLAN. I figured if I had a picture of her that needed to be signed, I had a right to get MY PROPERTY! So I went to Motown offices on Sunset Blvd in Hollywood. I asked for an 8x10 glossy of Diana Ross. I was a fan, right? Well guess what? Diana Ross was there!! I guess she heard one of her fans came by to ask for a photo and she, being her playful self, decided to walk through the lobby. Now the lobby was set up between her offices and the office of Berry Gordy. I knew all that. So there I was, sitting there expecting my photo in the lobby and in walks this very slim woman, pregnant, who looked a lot like Diana Ross. I was thinking to myself, "Oh wow, she looks a little like Diana Ross." Then it HIT ME! Wait!! I AM at Motown, right? That's where Diana Ross might be, right? She is pregnant, right?!! By the time I figured out that THAT MUST BE HER!... she was almost through the door on the other side of the lobby. All I could blurt out was a desperate: "HI!" She turned very softly and said, "hi." WOW! That was DIANA ROSS! That's the first time I saw her in person. Of course, later on after her show in Las Vegas, I was ready. I had left my photo of her to sign with her assistant, whom I had met. I went back to her dressing room and inquired about my photo. The guard said to wait a minute. When he returned he said: "Come in!" I nearly fainted. When I went to Motown to get the photo I was dressed as a man. But in Vegas I was in drag. Now I was being invited backstage at Caesar's Palace. There she was. Sitting in front of me. The first thing she said was, "Wow. I finally got a chance to meet you." Huh? She wanted to meet ME? I was dreaming of meeting HER! She invited me to sit down with her. Our chairs were cate-cornered. Our knees were almost touching. I was so mezmerized. There she was! The press came in and she told them just a minute, she was talking with her "double." She told me I was "pretty." But typical Ross, she said it in a sly way. That is, I was pretty compared to all the fantastically fat and ugly Diana Ross impersonators she had seen before. You know? Hahaha. I didn't care. I was meeting Diana Ross. who was so sweet to me. She must have known how much this meant to me. At the same time, I felt a strange connection with her, as if she was my relative. Of course, now, I'm pretty sure she is my relative. The irony is, if you look like somebody, you probably are related to them, right? Plus, when I see her, I see my daughter and my mother! She acts just like my mother, who was also a tomboy, like Diana Ross. So it is something beyond the fact that she's a famous singer. We're connected on another level, a personal level. Her daughter, Tracee Ellis Ross is also just like me! Very smart. Very positive about life. Anyway, that's my Diana Ross story. How incredibly sweet she was and how focused she was on this moment for me. She signed my photo and I was gone. How wonderful. This was YEARS AGO, when I was about 22. Even then she was a HUGE STAR. I think of all the years she has been a huge star since she was with the Supremes. I was never much of a fan until I started imitating her and doing her music. Then I became intimately aware of her through her music, musical choices and musical performances. I had become a very popular local celebrity because of her. Now growng up, I was a nerd and an outcast. I mean literally. When they would pick teams, I was always the forfeit. The captains hated ended up with me on their team. So I had zero confidence. But after becoming a well-liked celebrity in the local gay drag clubs, I became a different person. I became ACCEPTED. All because of Diana Ross, I gained a "confidence" in myself I never knew before. A confidence you don't get unless you accomplish something. Certainly wouldn't get it from going to school and becoming a doctor, thanks to being a JW. I turned down a full-paid medical school scholarship to "pioneer." Yep. I had grown up an awkward outcast and now I was a celebrity in a different world, the world of drag. Well, enough of my little story for now.

[@Danielle-nz9tn]

Ste’s story of his dad burning the Roald Dahl book reminds me that my father took a hatchet to my Metallica cassette in the 80s.... “Satanic”!! Hahaha, but sad too. in all seriousness, Ste (and all of you, actually!), I am so impressed that you are still devoted to helping people in this world. That is something that I do still admire about JWs-many of them are devoted whole-heartedly to helping people and unfortunately just have not found the real truth yet. In fact, that’s one reason why so many of the rank-and-file JWs are such nice people, i think-because they truly do want to help others. Now you are able to help other in such a more meaningful way...congratulations on your amazing work! I wish one day my sister could wake up so that she and I could have a real relationship. I am lucky that I was never baptized so I am not officially shunned, but my sister has made it clear that her real family are the JWs-not me. I guess I have to say that I get it and kind of feel the same, that my real family are the people I have chosen to spend my life with, rather than my actual family who hardly knows or understands me. We are living in 2 different worlds, making it hard to relate on things that really matter. Our relationship is very superficial and it’s hard to imagine how it could not be...also, I don’t trust her because if I act like my true self, she may shun me any way and would not think twice about denying her son and daughter the ability to see the only aunt she is officially allowed to speak to (my other sister is disfellowshipped). Wouldn’t it be great if there really were a paradise where all the JWs would wake up to reality, and we could experience normal relationships with them for once? Oh yes, and I never watched Ghost Busters either! Hahaha.

[@kellyfisher8591]

Amazing

[@romancarrillo7904]

I'm gay I'm a JW but I really try to change but I can not change my life I feel so guilty about that

[@godsscent8306]

Roman Carrillo Jehovah's Holy Spirit is more powerful than anything else! "Peter 2:11" & "Romans 8:6" & "Philippians 4:13" & "Romans 6:14" & 8:4" "1 Thessalonians 5:17" "Luke 11:13" Here are some scriptures that may help you with your personal fight...

[@wkagnus]

Roman Carrillo you are not alone!

[@danielreiman4446]

feed your knowledge of god daily it got me away from heroin

[@romancarrillo7904]

Daniel Reiman I just wanted talk with someone about my situation

[@romancarrillo7904]

Walter Kagnus at times I do feel like that

[@jamesdean1155]

Have you considered the aspect of story where under normal circumstances the very last person an adult would ask such a question of would be a child that young? Spiritual discernment coming from a six year old?

[@hossmcgregor3853]

Years ago, I was at a Cherokee Indian religious cermony. A younger guy came up to me, said he was a Jew who converted to LDS for his fiance who was married 6 months to the day after she dumped him. He was asking me for spiritual advice. O wound up giving him some long Buddha like non answer that was basically "follow your own path"

[@kaleidojess]

I stopped believing at 11 but I kept it going until I was at around 18 (the age that I openly said I was not a Christian). There's a point where either you believe or convince yourself that you do. Something common though, when I started to want to prove the existence of this God, that's when I discovered that my beliefs didn't align with other Christians and Jehovah's Witnesses.

[@jerryjohanan1940]

I was this fellowship twice for asking questions of the elders about why the organization did stuff I have a nephew that is gay he was disfellowship but he also had sex with a ministerial servant which never got dis fellowshipped because his dad was an elder

[@poder80]

damn i had almost forgotten about the smurfs hahahaha. I used to be scared shitless when i happen to zap thru channels and get a glimps of the smurfs by accident, The batshit crasy stories we all could tell i think most regular people would not even belive.

[@thinkingcapon64]

Lloyd, what have you concluded: Jehovah , a maniac, non existent ??? Great tribulation , Armageddon ??? I am interested in what you think regarding these important matters

[@JerryJones1914]

Thinking Cap On Jehovah is a non-existent God. That name was vented by the Catholic religion around 1270 A.D.. If you need more info I’ll be happy to give it to you....

[@TalkSteer]

in the smurf incident,, in its defence.. my friendz pokemon tazo grew in size overnight.. so i wont put it past the toys. it was 3 times bigger than the usual size

[@StoneCampbellforLife]

His dad burnt a library book?

[@kestrlfalc]

loved Michael Jackson! Yes thriller was "bad" but my dad gave in and bought me it any ways. Lol. I dreamed of meeting Michael Jackson, I felt a kindred spirit because I loved animals and nature so much. Lol. How about Dungeon and Dragon's? I have watched Harry Potter, lord of the rings. Since I woke up

[@apostababelindajames7461]

Bobbie Nestegard Did you know that one of the creators of Dungeons and Dragons was once a Jehovah's Witness. I remember hearing this from somebody else and I Googled it and searched it out and found the confirmation. Now I don't remember where this was at, otherwise I would put the link here. 📲Happy Googling. Please put the link here when you find it.

[@apostababelindajames7461]

Dan Gray, Thanks Dan.

[@ssdsd5394]

I'm gonna make you a list..thriller..ghost busters gremlins movie (the AMC gremlin car got emblems pried off or stickers over them on the inside) pac man..pokimon( being old enough too purchase and drive means nothing...someone scraped the stickers on my pickup truck off in the kingdom hall parking lot)...Harry Potter. .and last I heard the wiggles...they are worried about tight pants these days I guess

[@mylife-23]

Proud ex JW turned pagan, I'm in LGBT+ n proud of it ✌️🏳️‍🌈🌻

[@michaeljohn2826]

Looks like the main character out of watchdogs 2

[@tonygunk.]

Bruh I was thinking the same thing

[@ssdsd5394]

oh surfs. ..so much nonsense. .hard to list really

[@genesisvaldes7204]

Pokemon is banned :(

[@fujoshidirtyminded825]

Genesis Valdes what 😱

[@Andulsi]

Ghostbusters wasn t THAT great...lol. Harry Potter, Roal Dahl ...pretty good😊

[@skybailey9751]

Wha does anyone here think about eunuchs ? Prophecy is that Jehovah will accept born eunuchs .this is really what needs to be questioned . Matthew 19:11-12 .... there is no getting around what Christ is saying ,

[@skybailey9751]

good day Ste, I do understand that quite naturally myself ,thanks for sharing that . But my point is that , this is also in the scriptures. And that means something significant, because eunuchs “scripturally” WILL be apart of prophecy . I never said scriptures should justify who we treat with love sweetheart. I still don’t know the opinion of the subject I asked about , but thanks for your reply Hun .

[@godsscent8306]

Sky Cayn Here, it's simply saying that some men are born without male parts, which makes them eunuchs from birth. Other men have been made eunuchs by the hands of man by being castrated. And then some men choose to make themselves eunuchs by not using their male part at all, so that he chooses to remain abstinent. In order to seek first God's Kingdom "Matthew 6:33"

[@skybailey9751]

Are you saying that born eunuchs , are intersex ppl ? And with you having this knowledge.... can you tell me who are the eunuchs referenced in Isaiah 56:4 , that will gain a name greater than sons and daughters . Are these the intersex ppl ? Pls reference me someone born without sexual organs .......or do you mean ppl who have birth “defects” non chillance ??

[@soniadoreendoreensonia8237]

all lies

[@skybailey9751]

???

[@francocosentino8514]

If u wore them glasses + jumper to a meeting they'd of figured it out

[@matthewscott1091]

Ok so obviously the whole concept of his dad being disturbed by a silly children’s book with witches & burning it was ridiculous. But was I the only one who thought it was kind of a cute story? At least the way he told it. It’s like his dad was trying to be thoughtful about it. I mean he didn’t just scream at him about demons and burned it he did this whole play acting thing. It’s sad how much people think they have to give up in the name of religion. Well, 7 random dudes in New York say this is evil & that’s Satanic so better not do all these things... it would be more laughable if it wasn’t so sad & tragic how much of life & living these poor people are missing out on! 🙁

[@Jph1602]

I know that JW faith is wrong, bad and unhealthy. Soooooo wrong. It is so powerful when you are in the faith. It is so difficult to de-convert really hard. I’m so so so happy I left and feel much better. They are so controlling.

[@sysking2456]

Based on the headline alone, there are no "gay JWs."

[@Sportliveonline]

ok celebrated gay

[@bobbyadkins6983]

Those who die without JESUS as their LORD and SAVIOR will end up in the lake of fire. 🔥

[@oalmannearn6949]

According to the thumbnail they go through looking like will.i.am.

[@bretherenlee1404]

many lose faith when the bible does not say what they want it to say you cannot have faith when the desire of the flesh overrules

[@RitaMalikfour]

The bible says no sex before marriage so the gays should be allowed marriage that way they are not breaking bible rules

[@BC-xt3yo]

You guys are lieing..n the father of the lie...you guys are brain washing each other...this is what happends when you watch to much you tube.

[@BrentRF]

The jehovahs witnesses have the corner on the market for brainwashing. Not just brainwashing but false prophesies, lying and covering up pedophiles.

[@Just_Jessiah]

The Bible says one man and one women you know that so why disrespect gods word if you believe him

[@r.e.4640]

This what you call, a BUNCH OF LOOSERS EXPOSING THEMSELVES! Lol!!!😆

[@BrentRF]

Keep sharing your hate so the whole world can see the real ugly side of the jehovah witness cult.

[@BrentRF]

I we are losers then what are you in a cult of liars and pedophiles?

[@jeremiahtray5621]

I'm proud he left the truth and found Satan. Yay for wrong.

[@jeremiahtray5621]

@@ismininotonline You wouldn't know the difference. How do you know?

[@jeremiahtray5621]

@@ismininotonline #truthhurts

[@jeremiahtray5621]

@@ismininotonline You don't believe in Jesus nither does he. He said it in the video.

[@jeremiahtray5621]

@@ismininotonline It's on the video. He says he doesn't believe in Jesus. You said it as well.

[@jeremiahtray5621]

@@ismininotonline Your actions shows you don't believe in Jesus. Also you said you don't believe in Jesus.