I never thought I would see this True Life episode.
Here's the summary of this story:
What if you've expressed your sexuality in the same way for your entire adult life - but then decide to change your orientation completely? On this episode of True Life you'll meet two young people who once considered themselves gay. and now are doing everything they can to be straight.
Kevin cannot deny his sexual attraction to men, but has sworn off same sex relationships because of the pain it caused him and his devoutly religious family. Kevin believes that with the help of a therapist, supportive friends, and his own willpower he can redirect his urges and be embraced once more by his parents - and his church. Will Kevin control his impulses and achieve what he considers to be the more traditional American dream?
Melanie has always preferred dating girls - but ever since a violent confrontation with her disapproving mother, Melanie's been making drastic adjustments to her lifestyle. She's now juggling multiple heterosexual relationships - which is helping her reconnect with her once estranged family - even though she's suppressing deeply felt desires. Will Melanie ultimately give into temptation and risk losing everything again?
They're trying to find the path to inner peace. Have they reached self acceptance or are they simply in denial? Find out on True Life: I'm Trying to be Straight.
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11 comments:
This is crazy, when he masturbates he is thinking about cock. Most definitely.
This whole thing is a double edged sword. We all come to accept our sexuality in different ways. Even I traveled down that road a bit and it actually led me to my truth and self acceptance. I needed to fully explore this to realize how ridiculous it was. I'm just hoping the same happens for these people because while I came out on top, many others come out somewhere else.
This was broadcast last week, actually. Here's what I wrote on The Bilerico Project's post about it:
"These desires will always be here."
The above sound bite from Melanie was played after every ad break.
Did you actually watch the episode before writing this post? Both Melanie and Kevin made it clear they were trying to change due to intense familial pressure, rather than personal choice. Melanie showed the deep scars she still has from her mother stabbing her when she was caught with another girl when she was 16 (the camera continues to focus on the scars often throughout the remainder of the episode). Kevin's parents seemed to make it pretty clear that he was welcome as a family member only if he plays it "straight."
Both Melanie and Kevin were forthright in their admissions that they are still primarily attracted to the same sex. Melanie started dating women again (after dating some men) and said she is not sure what path her life will take. Kevin has evaded all attempts to get him to date women.
The producers didn't really need to attack reparative therapy in the piece. Melanie and Kevin's eyes gave it all away; they appear to both know it just ain't gonna happen, and are stuck between being themselves or being violently attacked and/or ostracized.
It was a heartbreaking episode, and I don't think any reasonable person could come away from it thinking either would ever change.
I am glad they are having this. When I was in my teens I was this boy. So I am interested in seeing it.
I saw this also and my heart broke for them both. The young lady especially whose Mother actually stabbed her when she discovered her with another girl. Oddly enough she was trying to date a man to get her mothers approval. What really bothered me with both of them was the parents. They were ok with their own kids being very unhappy as long as they played straight.
I saw it last week and it was very sad to watch. I especially related to Kevin's story (beyond the fact that we share the same first name), because I went down a similar road as a teen. I felt my stomach churn when his father said he was proud of him, not only because his acceptance came with strings attached, but because I feel that if I made a similar announcement to my parents, they would probably feel the same way.
I think Melanie will most likely go back to dating women exclusively, while Kevin may end up in a sham marriage because he seems so dependent on his family's approval.
He will probably turn in to a serial killer of gays or he will become very depressed and commit suicide. I f this true, people are doing anything to get money/attention.
I saw the episode as well, and I wasn't too thrilled about it. Nonetheless, it was interesting, and familiar. Both Melanie and Kevin's want to be straight stems from needing to make their family happy. That's not a fun road to travel.
I spent the majority of the time yelling at the TV to get through to them, but I had to realize that it was a TV I was yelling at and not them.
I found this episode especially gripping, as they covered a woman trying to repress her lesbian desires. I could not believe her mother stabbed her when she discovered her in bed with another woman!
After seeing the episode, I said a prayer for her that she finds peace.
Good Morning All
I want to say thank you all for watching and for your support and comments. I found the show hard to watch because, here it was my life for me to see as everyone on the outside has seen for years. But my update at this time is, I am not dating and have decided to work on loving and finding me so that whom ever I end up with I'll be a good mate to and not be confused. My mother and I still dont talk about my sexuality without it getting heated so we avoid the topic. but I've come to the understanding that even if she doesnt accept the path my life takes at this point, she'll always love me as her daughter. and yes her actions were unmeritted (for the stabbing) but I forgave her, and I hope that you all take frm the show the willingness to forgive and the understanding to love someone despite their sexuality and beyond. Thank you all again.Please feel free to look me up on fb Ms.melanieldavis@gmail.com and lets not stop here. Lets continue this conversation not just to talk but it,to create change, and make this world a safer more accepting place.With love and peace.xoxo Melanie/Mime
@Melanie-Thank you so much for your bravery in showing your story to the world. I can only imagine how difficult that was for you. We can all relate, to some degree, to your struggles.
In the interest of ongoing conversation and self acceptance, I would highly recommend you and your Mother checking out the movie, "Fish Out of Water". It's a documentary that goes through the Bible and analyzes verse by verse the content within that deals with homosexuality. It explains them in the context of the times they were written as well as the person who wrote them. Very eye opening, informative and validating. I wish you all the best. The flick is streaming on Netflix.
http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/Fish_Out_of_Water/70131775?trkid=2361637
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