Queerly Beloved with Michael Jon Watt

About this episode

Michael Jon Watt shares his journey of reconciling his faith and sexuality while seeking his authentic self.

Michael Jon Watt was raised by his adoptive parents on a Christian fundamentalist commune tucked into the woods near Long Lake in Traverse City, Michigan. His connection to God existed outside of this dark reality as did an inner knowing that he was also gay. He was told that he could love God or be gay, but not at the same time. He would have to choose. He tried. For decades. Multiple confessions, accountability groups, conversion therapy and an eventual engagement to a woman didn't change what he knew to be true. The harder he worked to deny his identity, the more pain consumed him. This episode isn't about coming out and life becoming easier. It's about the journey of a man destined to live an authentic life and the peace he found along the way back to his birth mom, his identity and his home. Michael is a graphic designer, Etsy shop owner and improv artist who returned to the north country and made it his own. We hope you are encouraged by his story and the clarity offered to those searching for identity. Queerly beloved, “The heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of." -Blaise Pascal

People in this episode

Guest: Michael Jon Watt

Topics covered

• identity
• faith
• authenticity

Keywords

• Christian fundamentalism
• conversion therapy
• LGBTQ+
• self-acceptance

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Etsy shop

Places: Long Lake, Traverse City, Michigan

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