By Holly Rasmussen
TLC is no stranger to pushing boundaries, but they may have pushed too far this time. A few weeks ago, The Ashley gave you a sneak peek of My Husband’s Not Gay, a documentary the station will be airing on January 11.
It features four men that state that they are sexually attracted to other men, but are choosing not to act on these feelings. The men cite their Mormon faith as their reasons for choosing to marry women. (All of the men claim that they are also attracted to their wives.)
A Change.org petition has already been put up to request that TLC not air the show. More than 75,000 people have signed the petition, which claims that TLC is sending a harmful message by saying gay people can and should change who they love to be accepted in their faith.
“I started this petition because these men deserve compassion and acceptance,” wrote Josh Saunders. “Instead, TLC is presenting their lives as entertainment, and sending the dangerous message that being gay is something that can and ought to be changed. No young person should ever be told to be ashamed of who they are — especially by a television network.”
GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis has also spoken out about ‘My Husband Is Not Gay.’
“This show is downright irresponsible,” she wrote. “No one can change who they love, and, more importantly, no one should have to. By investing in this dangerous programming, TLC is putting countless young LGBT people in harm’s way.”
In an exclusive statement to The Ashley, a network spokesperson from TLC justified the airing of ‘My Husband’s Not Gay,’ stating that it is simply televising a real situation.
TLC has long shared compelling stories about real people and different ways of life, without judgment. The individuals featured in this one-hour special reveal the decisions they have made, and speak only for themselves.
In his petition, Josh uses his own personal experience with the “Pray the Gay” away theory to shed light on why it is dangerous for shows like this to be on the air.
“As a devout Christian, I understand the important role faith plays in the lives of the show’s main characters,” he wrote. “I, too, did everything possible to hide who I am… I was promised I could change, and told that I should ‘pray the gay away.’ In the end, the only thing that this so-called ‘therapy’ did was stoke a growing despair that maybe my life wasn’t worth living.”
One commenter on the petition cited the recent suicide of teenager Leelah Alcorn as evidence of how dangerous this outlook can be. Leelah was born male but identified as female. She referenced her family’s refusal to accept her as a female in her suicide note.
Should the special air as scheduled on January 11? Sound off in the comments below!
Photo: Discovery Press)
5 Responses
Here we go again w/ the attitude of…I dont like what you have to say so Im going to try to force you into not speaking your truth. Its kind of a catch 22, the lbgt fought so hard to be able to freely express themselves and speak there truth, but on the other hand, they fight others who may be gay to not speak theirs simply b/c they arent going to act on their feelings.
Air the show.
Yes, the idea that people who are gay should change is wrong…but what if they want to – as these men appear to? If consenting adults want to admit they are gay but going to ‘fight it’ and let cameras film it, and other consenting adults wants to watch the resulting train wreck, we should all have that option. There is a difference between “This is my lifestyle” and “This is my lifestyle and I’m going to force it upon you”.
If a gay person saw that show, and that was their ONLY experience with gay people in the media, sure, they would be confused about what society expects. I highly doubt that’s the case for either watchers of the show, or gay people.
Ugh. I hate when people blow things way out of proportion to make a point (aka Josh citing the Alcorn suicide). Alcorn was born male and identified as female. None of these men featured on this show identify as female, they simply have attraction to both sexes. One literally has NOTHING to do with the other. I know plenty of gay & lesbian people who have no desire to BE the opposite sex, they just want to be with them. Totally and completely different. No wonder why his petition isn’t working.
One thing does have to do with the other. Being gay is NOT a choice. Needing to be another sex is not a choice. This show is saying it is a choice. This show might make parents or friends of someone gay believe that they don’t have to be, it’s something they have chosen.
I will watch the show. It won’t change my opinion but curiosity will get the best of me!