John Paulk
Encyclopedia
John Paulk is an American ex-gay
and conversion therapy advocate and author. He is the former leader of Focus on the Family
's Love Won Out
conference and was chairman of the board of Exodus International North America from 1995 to 2000. His 2000 autobiography Not Afraid to Change addresses his sexuality and attempts to change same-sex desires. Later that same year, after an incident in which Paulk was revealed to be a patron at a gay bar
, both organizations removed him from leadership positions. In 2005, Paulk opened a catering business with his wife.
, area, Paulk attended Fort Hayes High School for the Performing Arts and Ohio State University
where he majored in music/voice. During the time he was in college, Paulk worked as a male escort and a drag queen
(calling himself "Candy"), as well as a scheduler for an escort service. During the late 1980s, Paulk managed Cocolat, a San Francisco patisserie owned by Alice Medrich
.
Paulk has said that he overcame his homosexuality following his conversion to Christianity
, through a combination of counseling, groups, prayer, and Bible reading; he now identifies himself as a heterosexual. Paulk's wife, Anne, also identified as ex-gay. Paulk co-wrote the book Love Won Out with his wife. They have three children; Timothy, Alex, and Jordan.
, where he was manager of the organization's Homosexuality and Gender Division. In August 1995, Paulk was elected Chairman of the board of Exodus International North America for a three-year term. He was subsequently re-elected to a second three-year term in 1998. As an employee of Focus on the Family, Paulk toured the United States, speaking of his conversions in what was named Love Won Out
conferences. Paulk and his wife became the faces promoting Exodus ministries in major daily newspaper full page ads. The couple appeared on the cover of Newsweek
(August 1998) when the publication covered Exodus and the ex-gay movement.
Paulk left Exodus International in 2003 and now lives in Portland, Oregon
with his wife and family. The couple started a catering
business in 2005, and he appears regularly in cooking
segments on Portland television, as well as his own regular segment on Christian radio station
KPDQ
called "Food Talk with Chef John".
gay bar
. A patron recognized him and contacted Wayne Besen
of the Human Rights Campaign
, Truth Wins Out
, and other gay political action organizations. When Besen arrived at the bar 40 minutes later and confronted Paulk, he denied that he was in fact John Paulk. Upon exiting the bar, Paulk's picture was taken as documentation that he had been in the bar. When confronted by Besen about the incident and the photographs, Paulk admitted being in the bar, but stated that he didn’t know it was a gay bar and had simply stopped in for a moment to use the restroom. However, eyewitnesses reported that Paulk stayed for more than an hour, flirted with other men, and when questioned about his sexuality, said he was gay.
Paulk was called back to Focus on the Family headquarters and questioned by James Dobson
. At first, Paulk reportedly evaded a direct answer about the incident; however, he later confessed that he had been in the bar for the purpose of flirting
. Paulk was placed on probation, and was chaperoned on future speaking engagements to ensure that he had "support" in the event that he needed it. Dobson also removed Paulk from the Board Chair position of Exodus International. He remained on the board under probationary status only, and was not allowed to attend meetings or vote.
An Exodus press release soon followed:
In a September 2001 interview with the Charlotte World newspaper, Paulk stated:
The incident received national headlines in newspapers and news magazines. Paulk remained in his position as manager of the Homosexuality and Gender Department until choosing to leave that position in 2003.
Ex-gay
The ex-gay movement consists of people and organizations that seek to get people to refrain from entering or pursuing same-sex relationships, to eliminate homosexual desires, to develop heterosexual desires, or to enter into a heterosexual relationship...
and conversion therapy advocate and author. He is the former leader of Focus on the Family
Focus on the Family
Focus on the Family is an American evangelical Christian tax-exempt non-profit organization founded in 1977 by psychologist James Dobson, and is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Focus on the Family is one of a number of evangelical parachurch organizations that rose to prominence in the 1980s...
's Love Won Out
Love Won Out
Love Won Out is an ex-gay ministry launched by Focus on the Family in 1998. It was founded by John Paulk. Its stated purpose is "to exhort and equip Christian churches to respond in a Christ-like way to the issue of homosexuality." Love Won Out was sold to a former affiliate Exodus International as...
conference and was chairman of the board of Exodus International North America from 1995 to 2000. His 2000 autobiography Not Afraid to Change addresses his sexuality and attempts to change same-sex desires. Later that same year, after an incident in which Paulk was revealed to be a patron at a gay bar
Gay bar
A gay bar is a drinking establishment that caters to an exclusively or predominantly gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender clientele; the term gay is used as a broadly inclusive concept for LGBT and queer communities...
, both organizations removed him from leadership positions. In 2005, Paulk opened a catering business with his wife.
Biography
A former resident of the Columbus, OhioColumbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
, area, Paulk attended Fort Hayes High School for the Performing Arts and Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
where he majored in music/voice. During the time he was in college, Paulk worked as a male escort and a drag queen
Drag queen
A drag queen is a man who dresses, and usually acts, like a caricature woman often for the purpose of entertaining. There are many kinds of drag artists and they vary greatly, from professionals who have starred in films to people who just try it once. Drag queens also vary by class and culture and...
(calling himself "Candy"), as well as a scheduler for an escort service. During the late 1980s, Paulk managed Cocolat, a San Francisco patisserie owned by Alice Medrich
Alice Medrich
Alice Medrich is a businesswoman, baker and cookbook author with a particular interest in chocolate. She founded the Cocolat chain of chocolate stores, has authored numerous cookbooks, and is referred to as the First Lady of Chocolate.-California Truffles:...
.
Paulk has said that he overcame his homosexuality following his conversion to Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, through a combination of counseling, groups, prayer, and Bible reading; he now identifies himself as a heterosexual. Paulk's wife, Anne, also identified as ex-gay. Paulk co-wrote the book Love Won Out with his wife. They have three children; Timothy, Alex, and Jordan.
Career
Paulk became involved with Focus on the FamilyFocus on the Family
Focus on the Family is an American evangelical Christian tax-exempt non-profit organization founded in 1977 by psychologist James Dobson, and is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Focus on the Family is one of a number of evangelical parachurch organizations that rose to prominence in the 1980s...
, where he was manager of the organization's Homosexuality and Gender Division. In August 1995, Paulk was elected Chairman of the board of Exodus International North America for a three-year term. He was subsequently re-elected to a second three-year term in 1998. As an employee of Focus on the Family, Paulk toured the United States, speaking of his conversions in what was named Love Won Out
Love Won Out
Love Won Out is an ex-gay ministry launched by Focus on the Family in 1998. It was founded by John Paulk. Its stated purpose is "to exhort and equip Christian churches to respond in a Christ-like way to the issue of homosexuality." Love Won Out was sold to a former affiliate Exodus International as...
conferences. Paulk and his wife became the faces promoting Exodus ministries in major daily newspaper full page ads. The couple appeared on the cover of Newsweek
Newsweek
Newsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
(August 1998) when the publication covered Exodus and the ex-gay movement.
Paulk left Exodus International in 2003 and now lives in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
with his wife and family. The couple started a catering
Catering
Catering is the business of providing foodservice at a remote site or a site such as a hotel, public house , or other location.-Mobile catering:A mobile caterer serves food directly from a vehicle or cart that is designed for the purpose...
business in 2005, and he appears regularly in cooking
Cooking
Cooking is the process of preparing food by use of heat. Cooking techniques and ingredients vary widely across the world, reflecting unique environmental, economic, and cultural traditions. Cooks themselves also vary widely in skill and training...
segments on Portland television, as well as his own regular segment on Christian radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
KPDQ
KPDQ
- External links :*...
called "Food Talk with Chef John".
Controversy
On September 19, 2000 while on a speaking tour, Paulk was spotted at Mr. P's, a Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
gay bar
Gay bar
A gay bar is a drinking establishment that caters to an exclusively or predominantly gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender clientele; the term gay is used as a broadly inclusive concept for LGBT and queer communities...
. A patron recognized him and contacted Wayne Besen
Wayne Besen
Wayne Besen is an American gay rights advocate. He is a former spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign and the founder of Truth Wins Out.Besen says he has interviewed hundreds of former and current "ex-gays," and is an outspoken critic of organisations such as Homosexuals Anonymous.- Photos of...
of the Human Rights Campaign
Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign is the United States' largest LGBT advocacy group and lobbying organization; according to the HRC, it has more than one million members and supporters...
, Truth Wins Out
Truth Wins Out
Truth Wins Out is an organization formed by Wayne Besen to fight what it considers "anti-gay religious extremism," especially the ex-gay movement...
, and other gay political action organizations. When Besen arrived at the bar 40 minutes later and confronted Paulk, he denied that he was in fact John Paulk. Upon exiting the bar, Paulk's picture was taken as documentation that he had been in the bar. When confronted by Besen about the incident and the photographs, Paulk admitted being in the bar, but stated that he didn’t know it was a gay bar and had simply stopped in for a moment to use the restroom. However, eyewitnesses reported that Paulk stayed for more than an hour, flirted with other men, and when questioned about his sexuality, said he was gay.
Paulk was called back to Focus on the Family headquarters and questioned by James Dobson
James Dobson
James Clayton "Jim" Dobson, Jr. is an American evangelical Christian author, psychologist, and founder in 1977 of Focus on the Family , which he led until 2003. In the 1980s he was ranked as one of the most influential spokesman for conservative social positions in American public life...
. At first, Paulk reportedly evaded a direct answer about the incident; however, he later confessed that he had been in the bar for the purpose of flirting
Flirting
Flirting is a playful, romantic, or sexual overture by one person to another subtly indicating an interest in a deeper relationship with the other person, and can involve verbal communication as well as body language...
. Paulk was placed on probation, and was chaperoned on future speaking engagements to ensure that he had "support" in the event that he needed it. Dobson also removed Paulk from the Board Chair position of Exodus International. He remained on the board under probationary status only, and was not allowed to attend meetings or vote.
An Exodus press release soon followed:
In a September 2001 interview with the Charlotte World newspaper, Paulk stated:
The incident received national headlines in newspapers and news magazines. Paulk remained in his position as manager of the Homosexuality and Gender Department until choosing to leave that position in 2003.