“My Husband’s Not Gay,” the latest despicable piece of so-called reality TV coming to carny freak-show channel TLC on Sunday, is wrong in so many ways. It’s difficult to say whether it’s more offensive or dangerous.
The show follows four Utah Mormon men who are apparently repressing their sexual orientation in order to conform to the requirements of their faith community. Either the couples onscreen are kidding themselves, the producers are knowingly exploiting false or naive narratives, or together they’ve decided to ignore all scientific evidence and endorse a plan to “pray the gay away.” Really, in 2015?
“With our faith in God we believe we can overcome anything,” one says.
“I like to say I have an alternative to an alternative lifestyle.”
“I don’t know how to tell you this, but I’m attracted to men,” one says to his wife in an obviously made-for-the-camera moment.
These Mormans don’t like the word gay. They call it same sex attraction or “SSA.” And they think by marrying women and spouting the party line — “not gay, SSA” –they can force themselves to be Not Gay.
It’s sloppy, contrived television. Worse, at a time when reparative therapy has been denounced by medical authorities, this hour is irresponsible, full of bad advice and bad modeling for impressionable young people.
