Updated 04:40 pm.EST, Sat November 21, 2009

Society|Thu, Jul. 05 2007 11:53 AM EDT

Leading Gay Rights Activist Comes Out of Homosexuality, Tells His Story

By Lillian Kwon|Christian Post Reporter

Young Gay America Magazine is on hiatus. Its founding editor has left the magazine and gay activism and has now publicly announced that he's been "healed."

Michael Glatze, who had become a leading activist in the homosexual community, made the shocking announcement on Tuesday in a World Net Daily column entitled "How A 'Gay Rights' Leader Became Straight."

"It became clear to me, as I really thought about it – and really prayed about it – that homosexuality prevents us from finding our true self within. We cannot see the truth when we're blinded by homosexuality," he wrote.

Glatze grew up with a Christian mom and a father who was possibly agnostic or atheist. His father died when Glatze was only 13, followed by his mother when he was 19.

The mixed religious messages already confused him of who he was.

When he entered college, Glatze described the campus environment as hostile to Christianity and more supportive of the homosexual community.

Glatze came out as gay at age 20 and when he did, "instantly you gain a sense of community," he said in an interview with Concerned Women for America.

"You gain also a sense that you're doing something important, that you're fighting prejudice and you're raising awareness, and I felt invigorated by that and I felt emboldened to want to fight for that," he said.

For Glatze, coming out was about "opening the doors" and "breaking down barriers" as is the standard gay activist mantra, he noted.

After starting Young Gay America, Glatze gained popularity and prominence and was a frequent media go-to person on homosexuality issues.

At the same time, however, he started feeling "strange" about something.

"I felt maybe that I hadn't thought about everything 100 percent," he said in the interview.

When he came out of what he called a near-death experience with intestinal cramps and stomach pains, he found himself turning to and thanking God.

"I realized at that point in time that it was actually God that was the actual thing that I had always been relying on, the core, the center of truth that I had always been turning to, writing on and living my entire life for," Glatze said.

He opened up the Bible and realized the Word of God was not only "good," but also "intelligent, earth-shattering, topical" and "so true."

Today, he wants to share his story and says it's his duty to tell people the truth. He equates homosexuality with death – death to one's soul; that those struggling with same-sex desires are wanting a part of them that they do not have; and that basically, they are not completely whole.

In a society where gay tolerance is increasing and more than half of Americans say they do not believe homosexuality is changeable, according to a recent CNN poll, Glatze posed, "If there had not been homosexuality condoned in the culture, would I have developed the notion that I had such an identity because we know the nature of that identity is suspect?"

The culture tells him he should be proud of his gay identity, he said, but such a culture prevents him from "fully growing."

"In my experience, 'coming out' from under the influence of the homosexual mindset was the most liberating, beautiful and astonishing thing I've ever experienced in my entire life," Glatze wrote in his column.

Glatze has always believed in trying to fight for the truth. As he read the Bible more, he said he tried to "actually open my mind." Continue »

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  • Wed Jul 11, 2007 11:52 am Agree: 4   Disagree: 2

    Personally, and I'm speaking as a christian, I think Glatze has done the right thing. As far as saying he may not stay cured? we all have the potential to fall back into our old ways, when the desire to please ourself , instead of God, presents itself. The whole purpose of trusting God is to depend on His strength and not our own, when it comes to resisting the temptation where we are the weakest. We can't possibly do what's right and stay on that path if we only depend on our own strength. We all have weaknesses and desires that aren't pleasing to God and that are against nature itself. But , the thing with believing in a God who is able to do all things ,and His son Jesus, is that even though we are tempted to give in to our weaknesses, which is in some cases constant , we can call on Him to help us. We just don't want to. It is in our very nature to want to please our bodies and give it the things it wants. That's why I'm fat or you are gay or whatever the case may be. It's the choices we make for ourselves that get us into the situations we are in. You can agree or not. I believe without a right relationship with God, and trying to do what is pleasing to Him , we can have never have a truely, good conscience toward anything we do. Fighting for a cause is a good thing unless you are leading people in the wrong direction. Because I beleive we are held responsible for the ones we have purposefully done wrong to or intentionally hurt. We should live our lives in a way that sets an example of what is right. As for myself, I'm for sure , not perfect and won't be untill Christ returns. Until then , I have to depend on Him for being able to make the right decisions for my own life. When I have tried to make a decision without Him , I end up in a mess. One that I've created all by myself.

  • Tue Jul 10, 2007 3:44 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

    Crossfire, I admire your honesty and at least your desire for the complete truth. We may not agree, but I can respect someone who is not knee-jerk and can be honest in the facts they present. And while I said that Michael Glatze will not be able to live the straight life, let me amend that statement.....he may or may not, who am I to say? But the ex-gay movement that is normally touted is very much not what it is described to be by many in the Christian community who want people to change and desire to show that it can be done. If you're honest at least about ex-gay movements, you must admit that they rarely work for long periods of one's life. But of course, there could be exceptions and perhaps Michael is one of those.

  • Tue Jul 10, 2007 4:33 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

    StillOne brings up a good point. Someone else I spoke with also said she questioned Glatze's "change." Though it's good now, if he says later that he's going back to homosexuality and that change is not possible and that it's harmful or something like that ... then the secular media would have a field day with that. You'd have headlines like "Ex-Gay Christian Returns to Homosexuality." I think Christians should be more cautious before jumping on the bandwagon and pointing to Glatze as an example of how very possible it is to depart from the homosexual lifestyle.

    That's not to say we shouldn't support Glatze and show him love. I believe we should. But don't make him out to be an example of the Ex-Gay movement just yet.

  • Mon Jul 09, 2007 3:10 pm Agree: 5   Disagree: 2

    I don't believe his story is true. Ask him after some time has passed, and if he is honest, he will tell you that his new found cure has not lasted. He will have the same desires and interests because they are not abnormal, just not the majority perspective. I'm fine with people believing anything they want, but be truthful about it. There is no overnight cure for homosexuality, nor does there need to be. Look at legitimate, lasting results of such "ex gay" programs and they don't stand up. It's a farce.

  • Mon Jul 09, 2007 10:14 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 1

    I know everything will get better. I believe God will lead us to the right way and we are all under his providence.

  • Sun Jul 08, 2007 6:19 am Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

    Not sure if "michaelglatze" is really Michael Glatze, but if you are, I was just curious whether you joined LDS after trying out other churches, or if LDS just happened to be the group that first inspired you to return to God.

  • Fri Jul 06, 2007 8:08 pm Agree: 3   Disagree: 3

    To: gayguy

    "There is zero scientific evidence gays can be cured." <--??

    Homosexuality is not a disease. It's a sinful desire, like greed or laziness (perhaps not the best examples, I know, but for time's sake). It's just something that you can choose to be or choose not to be, although it may be harder for some than others.

  • Fri Jul 06, 2007 10:49 am Agree: 7   Disagree: 0

    Hello, This is Michael Glatze (featured in the story, above.) I'm very grateful, honored, and feel very blesssed to be included on your esteemed website / publication. I have read ChristianPost.com over the years; and, it helped me through some tough times.

    To just answer one gentleman's post. Yes, sir, it can be done. I am not just a celibate man who is avoiding the homosexual tendencies. I no longer have desires of that nature at all and DO have normal male desires. Just to clarify.

    Michael Glatze :)

  • Fri Jul 06, 2007 9:55 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

    Out of homosexuality, into Mormonism, while I am glad to see this person come out of homosexuality, it seems one form of bondage exchanged for another in Mormonism. Although, if he is a recent convert to Mormonism he may not yet be fully aware of the "deeper doctrines" and how works help him earn his right into the Celestial Kingdom where the Father is(according to LDS theology). Example: A Temple marriage ceremony must be performed, obeying the Word of Wisdom, etc. are required to enter the Celstial Heaven.

    Also, thanks for your comments, to the person with the name "ourLord=holy", I have an immediate family members who has delved into homosexuality and it is encouraging to hear how you came out of it. If you read this message, please contact me as I would like to hear more about your story. xdannypoox@aol.com

  • fd4 »
    Fri Jul 06, 2007 8:41 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

    Just a thought...I pray for the day when the homosexual community understands that the VAST majority of Christ-followers do not hate them (except for a few idiots who really give the Church a black eye). We simply want them to come to a full understanding of who Christ is, how much He loves them, & what His Word says about how we are to live our lives. In fact, that's what we want for anyone, gay or straight! In response to "gayguy", professing your love for Christ DOES change how a person is wired. He totally rewires our lives and it is awesome! 2 Cor. 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a NEW CREATION; the old has gone, the new has come!" That sounds like rewiring to me!

  • Thu Jul 05, 2007 7:44 pm Agree: 8   Disagree: 7

    There is zero scientific evidence gays can be cured. Why is only Christianity that cures gays? Why not ex-gay Jews, Muslims, Hindus? Sure you can not have sex and claim your straight, but professing your love for Jesus Christ does not change the way people are wired.

  • Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:44 am Agree: 12   Disagree: 7

    the Lord also delivered me from lesbianism many years ago. I have been married to a man for 13 years and have three children, and I thank the Lord for all that He has given me. I found out that women weren't any better than men in how they treated me, but even if I had had the most perfect lesbian relationship, I have now experienced the Love of Christ and one moment in His presence, feeling His love is better than a thousand anywhere else. The main problems were inside me, not in men, though there are still alot of problems between men and women today. There are loving, kind men left in this world. Praise God that this message of liberation and truth is being proclaimed in our news. It isn't about hate, it is about life and death, and which one are we going to choose? This choice is being presented to everyone in our society, not just the homosexual minority. Where will you choose to align yourself?

  • Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:40 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 3

    I too, liked this story..Although i'm not sure about the Mormonism just yet, I still applaud him for him coming out and telling people that he is no longer gay, and that Gay People cant have both their sexuality and Jesus Christ. I just pray that other homosexuals will learn from his example and understand that they are sinning.

  • Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:16 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

    From Homosexuality to Mormonism. Not sure what to say about that ... yet.

  • Thu Jul 05, 2007 9:15 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 3

    Hallelujah! Praise God!

  • Thu Jul 05, 2007 8:23 am Agree: 1   Disagree: 1

    I really liked this article.

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