Monday, June 23, 2014

We cannot allow John Paulk to rise again

The other day, Cookie saw something on Politico, the pseudo news web site that gave Cookie cause for concern.

John Paulk, the former head of Exodus International, being featured in his first public feature - a self written piece - was telling the world what life for him has been like since he recanted his claims that reparative therapy works.

You see, much like an alcoholic needs a drink, Paulk needs to be the center of attention.

In undergraduate school when he and I would hang out together - and don't get me wrong, John was a lot of fun until you discovered the knife in your back - John was in vocal studies at The Ohio State University in vocal music.  He is a performer.

He performed when he was in school.

He performed when he was a prostitute.

He performed when he morphed into "Candi" the drag queen (and wore his mothers clothing, without her knowledge) at the Ruby Slipper in Columbus.

He performed when he claimed to have discovered God.

He performed when he became the face of Exodus International and held sway over audiences at his forums.

He performed as "John Clint" in Mr. P's bar and grill in Washington DC when he was trying to hustle drinks from men.

And he performed when he was  confronted by Wayne Beeson that night in the bar and lied about who he was.

And he tried to perform for James Dobson when confronted about his behavior.

But Dobson wasn't buying it.

Since his fall from grace, he's been performing on Oregon TV stations as "Chef John"; he is a restauranteur, still married and the father of two.

But it took him until last year, where in a short apology, he admitted that reparative therapy does not work, and that he identifies as a gay man.   He also is a victim - the same type of victim as the others who was fooled by the intoxicating sirens call of redemption from homosexuality.

Now, in the Politico piece he is attempting to reform his image.

While he can be contrite, and claims that one cannot undo their sexual identity, the same is true of his pathology: you can not reform a manipulator.

Like a leopard never can change their spots, narcissist is what they are to their very marrow, and despite what they say, the narcissist does not change.

Cookie has never believed a word out of Paulk's mouth.  To Cookie, Mary McCarthy's critique of Lillian Hellman applies to le Paulk.

But the gay community cannot afford to embrace John Paulk.  As Cookie wrote in 1998, "If the Christian right wing sleeps better at night safe in the comfort that people like John Paulk are there to defend their ideals and promote the "Exodus cure," then I would advise them to start sleeping with one eye open. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. I predict that John Paulk will yet recreate himself again when this folly, like the ones before, runs its course."

While what he writes and what he says appear golden, never forget that his words coming out of his smiling face are nothing more than iron pyrite.  John Paulk is of dubious value to anyone foolish enough to trust him.

And there have been people in the gay community who are willing to let bygones be bygones.  To those who choose to trust Paulk on this latest caprice, Cookie warns you to sleep with one eye open.  He has a way of swinging to and fro.  His well documented track record if proof of that.

14 comments:

  1. FWIW (which is, I know, not much) he actually dumped the wife (who still remains an ex-gay activist) a couple of years ago. His Facebook page is a festival of cute(ish) cater-waiters.

    But, even though he's now infinitesimally less hypocritical than he has been, what a piece of work. Remarkable to think that someone as clear-minded as you once had to put up with him.

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    1. I was really fucked up in the part of my life. Its the only plausible explanation. But he is pure malevolence. And a troll.

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    2. But I called it in 1998. And he will keep doing it again and again. Just like Evangelical Satan, he keeps morphing into something new.

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  2. WOW. Amazing post and VERY interesting that you actually KNEW him. WOW. I believe every word ... he is quite the hypocritical turd and I hate hypocritical turds.

    Great post Cookie.

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    1. We loved in a 1910s courtyard complex, two rows of buildings with two up units and two lower units sharing porches and front doors. Paulk lived in north facing building and I lived across from him in the south facing. When he started doing drag, he would parade around while dressing up as Candy. First in his foundation garments, then in make up and wig. We'd sit on our porches and watch. It was a reverse striptease. And for drag queens, this is a private, intense metamorphosis as they she'd their street personalities and become their other selves. And there was Paulk, prancing about - it was all about the show. Because with him, it's always about the performance.

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  3. To quote a line from that immortal classic, Mommie Dearest--and I think it fits Paulk to a T:
    If you're acting, you're wasting your time. If you're not, you're wasting mine.

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    1. You need to put something on your blog about this. We need to get the word out. There are too many people who have not read the documentation on Paulk.

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  4. UGH! & ICK! I shudder at the thought of eating his food, let alone having to interact with him. The sad part is, as long as he flings himself at the public eye the conservative batshits will be able to hold him up as all that is wrong with homosexuality.

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    1. See, I think he is trying to position himself as the victim authority. He can be totally charming, endearing himself to you, flattering you, developing instant rapport. Now I would never say give a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder; I am not a practicing pyschologist, and I am not licensed to make such diagnosis. But if you look at his well documented life and compare it to the DSM, well then, you can form an opinion yourself.

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  5. I assume his political agenda has hit a snarl with all the unwanted attention. Hopefully soon there will no longer be ex gay refugees. I've met some here that have been brainwashed by the mega revival church, Brownstone Assembly of God. I meant to say... I've slept with some...they're always so horny.

    The ones that bother me are the former drug addicts or alcoholics that reform and now they push God. With all the bless this and bless that and I'm blessed and have a blessed day. ENOUGH ALREADY. We are having to drag these idiots into this century.

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    1. His only agenda is becoming a guest on shows like Today, Dr. Phil, et. al and etc. and maybe a book deal. But trust me, something will go awry. It always does.

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  6. Thank you for this, Cookie. How soon we forget and move on to the next issue. Do not let this die. I am still on the gay Russians who are being raped and murdered by bottle insertion and those fortunate ones who have only lost their jobs and housing.

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    1. As long as I can, I will. But other have to spread the word. John Paulk is master manipulator, and his actions are well documented.

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  7. I have to find out what this "Exodus International" may be. Who in his right mind would use such a name for a corporation or organisation or whatever that may be ?

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