John Paulk - Definition and Overview

John Paulk (b. 1963) is a former leader of Focus on the Family's Exodus International program, and the subject of his own autobiography "Not Afraid to Change".

A former resident of Columbus, Ohio area, Paulk attended The Ohio State University where he majored in music/voice. During the time he was in college, Paulk was a male escort and a drag queen.

Following his conversion to evangelical Christianity, Paulk made ascertains to have shed his homosexual desires through reparative therapy and became a heterosexual. Paulk married a former lesbian and fathered three children. With his wife Anne, he co-wrote "Love Won Out."

Paulk became active in Focus on the Family (FoF), and was elevated to a leadership position in Exodus International. As President of the Exodus International Board, Paulk toured the United States where he spoke of his conversions in what had been named the "Love Won Out" meetings. Paulk and his wife became the faces promoting Exodus’ program in major daily newspaper full page ads. Paulk and his wife appeared on the cover of Newsweek (August 1998) when the publication covered Exodus and the ex-gay movement.

In September, 2000 Paulk was found in a Washington, D.C. gay bar flirting with male patrons at the bar; later questioned by Wayne Besen, a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, Paulk denied being in the bar despite photographic proof to the contrary. Initially, FoF’s Dr. James Dobson sided with Paulk and supported his innocence. Subsequently, Paulk, who himself had written about his habit of lying while he lived as a homosexual man, confessed to being in the bar and removed as the President of Exodus International. Paulk retained his Board seat, however he did under probation.

While still a promoter of Exodus, Paulk was chaperoned on future speaking engagements during his remaining tenure with Exodus International.

John Paulk left Exodus International in 2003.

Sources

Paulk, John, (Marko, Tony) Not Afraid to Change: The Remarkable Story of How One Man Overcame Homosexuality

Beson, Wayne, Anything But Straight Hayworth Press,

External Links

After the Fall, The Advocate Online (http://www.advocate.com/html/stories/825/825_paulk.asp)

Christianity Today Web Site (http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/140/53.0.html)

“John Paulk Eyes New Ministry Opportunity” (http://www.family.org/welcome/press/a0025556.cfm)