Wednesday, December 15, 2021

'Ex-gay' leader accused of confessing to 'multiple falls' from Jesus

Jeff McCall claims that he was a trans woman and a gay prostitute before becoming a leader in the 'ex-gay' movement. However, accusations have come up that he has not been truthful about his 'ex-gay' status.


The ex-gay movement was once a powerful component of the religious right's war against LGBTQ America. But thanks to LGBTQ groups, activists, bloggers, and the simple fact that many leaders of this movement simply got tired of lying to themselves, it has fizzled tremendously.

But there are still some components out there causing problems.

Jeff McCall is an 'ex-gay' leader who claims that he is a former trans woman and a gay prostitute who was delivered by God. Now he leads an annual - and very sparsely attended - event called the Freedom March in which he and others 'ex-gays' march in DC proclaiming their so-called deliverance from the supposed "homosexual lifestyle."

However according to Truth Wins Out, a group which has been pivotal in the slow demise of the 'ex-gay' movement, McCall hasn't exactly been truthful. 

The group sent the following press release out on Wednesday:


Truth Wins Out condemned Freedom March founder Jeffrey McCall today as a hypocritical fraud after he admitted online to multiple hookups and romantic attachments with men, even as he continues to shamelessly lead “Freedom March” parades of so-called “ex-gays”. Given the tawdry revelations, Truth Wins Out calls on the Freedom March to permanently shut down and stop conning people into believing that they can “pray away the gay.” 

 “Jeffrey McCall is a self-serving con artist who runs a fraudulent organization that preys on vulnerable and desperate LGBTQ people who grow up in religious homes,” said Truth Wins Out’s Executive Director Wayne Besen. “If McCall had an ounce of integrity he’d apologize for his rank hypocrisy and shut down his odious Freedom March racket before it ruins more lives. McCall’s own actions prove that he has no ability to ‘help’ anyone, starting with himself.”

 In an online post to his cult followers, McCall wrote (The typos are his): 

 In 2020 I met someone that I was trying to help (I was helping in other ways he didn’t deal with SSA) which lead to me being unfaithful to Jesus and giving my heart away. After denying what I wanted with him I then went on to fall sexually with a man when I felt wounded and lonely. This lead to multiple falls with men over time. (None of these men were Christians or people from ministry) Everytime I fell I would truly repent and turn away again. I would feel Gods love, mercy, and forgiveness sometimes before I could even finish the prayer. 

 Despite his repeated failures in practicing what he preaches, McCall’s organization hosted a Freedom March this November in West Palm Beach, Florida. On the group’s Facebook Page, McCall is shamelessly peddling his book, For Such A Time: From Transgender to a Son of God

 . . . Truth Wins Out attended the 2021 Freedom March in Washington, DC, along with conversion therapy survivor Jared Dixon. Our efforts to counter Freedom March lies can be viewed in our new video, Jared Goes to Washington, which already has over 15,000 views.

If this situation turns out as drama-filled as it seems, no one should be surprised. However it's best not to act jaded about it. While it has less notoriety than it did years before, the 'ex-gay' movement still has the power to sell a false bill of good to those still struggling with their LGBTQ orientation. Stories of ex-gay leaders falling from their self-created lofty perches are always delicious dish, but what about the stories we don't hear? The ones about the followers who genuinely believe the junk that somehow God can deliver them from being LGBTQ. Who is there for them when they are consumed with self-hatred because the lies of  'deliverance' doesn't come to fruition? 

Editor's note - According to Wayne Besen, head of Truth Wins Out, McCall's statement was on Facebook, but then removed.

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