for the Welsh footballer see Michael Johnston (footballer) Michael Johnston born 16 December 1987 in Wales is a professional footballer currently playing as a defender for Tranmere Rovers. ...

Michael Johnston is an American man who is notable for identifying as ex-gay. He is the chair of the National Coming Out of Homosexuality Day and founder of Kerusso Ministries. Johnston is featured in the film It's Not Gay, promoted by the American Family Association. He was subsequently found out to be engaging in drug fueled gay orgies while promoting himself as an ex-gay. Michael Johnston with mother in 1998 ex-gay TV advertisement (fair use of ad capture by Coral Ridge Ministries) This work is copyrighted. ... Dennis James Kennedy, Ph. ... The ex-gay or exodus movement claims that homosexuals can become heterosexual or otherwise leave homosexuality behind through counselling, prayer, and other therapies if they choose to do so. ... The American Family Association (AFA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes conservative Christian values. ...

Commercial appearance

Johnston is known for appearing in advertisements promoting the ex-gay movement. The commercial, which aired in Washington, D.C., in 1998 shows Johnston together with his mother. With photos of a young child blowing out birthday candles and soft music, Johnston's mother says: For other uses, see Washington, D.C. (disambiguation). ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ...

"This is my son Michael at 3. I love my son very much, I always have. Even when he told me he was involved in homosexuality and doing drugs."

She goes on to say:

"Just because you love your children, it doesn't mean you approve of everything they do. Sometimes they make bad choices. My son Michael found out the truth — he COULD walk away from homosexuality. But he found out too late — he has AIDS. If you love your children, love them enough to let them know the truth, that there is hope for change, hope for the future."

Michael then says: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS or Aids) is a collection of symptoms and infections resulting from the specific damage to the immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). ...

"A decade ago, I walked away from homosexuality through the power of Jesus Christ. I'm not that 3-year-old boy anymore, a little older, a little taller, but I still love my mom. And I'll be forever grateful that she loved me enough to tell me the truth. The truth that set me free."

The ad, featured on the Commercial Closet Association website, ends with the tagline: "It's not about hate. It's about hope."^[1] This article is about Jesus of Nazareth. ... Christ is the English term for the Greek word (Christós), which literally means The Anointed One. ... Commercial Closet Association is a New York City based non-profit organization, founded in 2001, to educate and influence the $1. ...

HIV controversy

Johnston’s fortunes came crashing down in 2003 when it was learned that while he was traveling around the country decrying the “depravity” of homosexuals, he was hosting orgies, taking drugs and practicing unsafe sex without disclosing his HIV status (^[2]). He immediately closed his ministry and went underground. A spokesman for the American Family Association concluded “I don’t foresee he would ever be back in a place of public ministry, especially in an outreach to homosexuals like the ministry he had.”

References