Episode 26: Three gay men debate sexuality

Few things have marked our culture in recent years as much as the dialogue around sexuality. It’s clear that a percentage of the population has certainly found liberation in the gay movement. This movement was originally born out of deep pain. At one time, it was dangerous to be out and gay in the United States. So there is no doubt that we’ve created a safer world for gay people to exist, at least in the West. But despite the progress that has been made, really big questions remain. Many LGBTQ+ individuals struggle to reconcile their sexuality with their spirituality due to the historical religious stigma surrounding this subject. Beyond that, there are big questions around the LGBTQ movement itself and what it truly stands for. Many people have questions about gay representation in the media, gay rights and even what it means to be gay. So the conversation you’re about to hear is informed entirely by social listening. We’ve taken all the biggest talking points from the left, the right, and the middle – everywhere across the political, religious and ideological spectrum – and fused them into one episode. Intentionally, all three panelists come from three wildly different backgrounds. Each guest has a different flavor of what they believe about sexuality, and also spirituality. Tony Morrison is one of the executives at GLAAD, the largest gay and lesbian organization in the world. Previously, he was a producer at Good Morning America, and Disney, becoming a 3x Emmy award winner. He identifies as non-religious and he also announced he has HIV a few years ago. Jonathan Merritt has been one of the most prolific writers at the Atlantic over the last 10 years, and has also written multiple books. He identifies as a Christian, and is looking to get married. Lastly, Dr. David Bennett is a theologian (and former atheist) who spent the better part of the last five years getting his doctorate in biblical studies. He is a Christian, he identifies as gay, and has chosen to be celibate based on his biblical convictions. In this episode, we dive into their personal stories, and also ask some very hard hitting questions. On the spiritual front, we discuss why religious folks have told gay people that God hates them, and examine some of the most confusing passages in books like the Bible. On the cultural front, we discuss gay rights, the claim that gay is becoming trendy, and what it even means to be gay. We also discuss the controversy over gay representation in the media and if the wealth of content and behavior we see on social media is representative of every gay person. Finally, we unpack what it means to love through difference. Chapters: 0:00 - Trailer 1:58 - Intro 7:17 - Tony’s story 11:13 - David’s story 24:46 - Jonathan’s story 33:03 - Why Tony rejected the church 41:54 - Why have gay people historically been mistreated? 49:33 - Is the Bible a problem for gay people? 1:23:23 - On the topic of gay rights 1:31:04 - Why was gay marriage such a huge deal? 1:44:20 - Should we accept all viewpoints? 1:50:09 - Why has sexuality become so fluid? 2:02:18 - Can straight people enjoy gay sex (and vice-versa)? 2:17:33 - What does the term “gay” mean? 2:27:32 - Addressing behavior at pride parades 2:33:09 - Disney & the “not-so-secret gay agenda” 2:39:56 - Has being gay become “trendy”? 2:44:32 - How do we love through difference? 2:50:51 - Can you love someone and not accept a part of them? 2:59:54 - Triggering language for gay people Follow the panel on social media: Jonathan Merritt: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan_merritt/?hl=en David Bennett: https://www.instagram.com/davidacbennett/?hl=en Tony Morrison: https://www.instagram.com/thetonymorrison/?hl=en Mighty Pursuit Links: Website: https://www.mightypursuit.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mightypursuit/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mightypursuit/ X: https://x.com/MightyPursuit For business inquiries: hello@mightypursuit.com