“In a way I felt like I was better than everyone else in the world, because I knew the truth. I was one of the few that was going to be saved at Armageddon, but at the same time I felt like I was worthless because no matter what I did it was never enough, and I could never truly compensate for being gay. That was never going to go away and I couldn’t do anything about it. So I felt worthless and better than everyone else at the same time.” – Patrick
The songs that Patrick chose to represent his story are Let It Go by Idina Menzel and How Far I’ll Go from Auli’i Cravalho
Support the show by donating to the cause on our Patreon page, Patreon.com/shunned
Are you struggling in some area of life? Feeling stuck? Need an accountability partner or some encouragement? Need to talk to someone that understands cult life? Reach out and let’s talk. I have affordable programs to help as a certified life coach. Click HERE for more information.
Support Patrick by leaving him a comment HERE
Want more resources or to participate in the Shunned Recovery Project that I mentioned? Go to my new website exjwHelp.com
Join our Shunned Podcast Facebook group HERE
Leave us a review on iTunes
Find shunned podcast on Youtube, including new VIDcasts here.
Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
You can listen to the Shunned Podcast Spotify playlist here for all of the songs chosen by guests of the show.
This podcast was made possible by my original podcast This JW Life. You can find it on any podcast app or on YouTube. It is a 9 part series about life as Jehovah’s Witnesses designed to help you understand how it worked in one comprehensive story and to help you process your own if you came from that environment.
Follow my new podcast called LouisvilleOne at LouisvilleOne.org or look it up on a podcast app. You can watch the live videos on the YouTube channel HERE.
Music by Fair Voyeur entitled “No Hell Yet”.
I watched this episode and I am humbled by your courage and your resolve to live who you are and free. I left the organization over 30 years ago but didn’t have the shunning as you did because my whole family left as well. But I can see the damage this organization does too families and it’s a shame that they continue. Take care and stay focused on your life and dreams!
Hey Patrick!
Your story spoke so much to me. I am gay, and like you experienced the hatred of elders towards LGBT people. They say they hate the conduct, not the people, but it’s so much more than that, isn’t it!
I could relate so much to the events of your life. My sexuality which I had suppressed for so long also came to head when I lived in a foreign country. The way they treated me as a potential predator still makes me sick. I got off pretty lightly compared to your six hour judicial ordeal, though.
I wanted to thank you for sharing your story. It is inspiring to me and and it will be inspiring to so many more. All the best for the future!
P.S. I’m in Japan so come to visit when you can!!!
Hi Patrick,
Your story was very interesting and long and I had so many thoughts while listen to it. Now I don’t even know where to start. I really like your way of thinking, your values and your ability to talk about it.
I often wonder how people who never got told Skills like that and empathy and so on can develop them so much.
I’m glad you found a way out.
I could never understand why people don’t see somethings even though they appeal so clear so me. Even as a kid I often saw and felt injustices or saw flaws in logic/Reasoning long before I later really understood what happened. Anyway, I guess we all have blindspots.
I remember the time when I first moved out and felt the freedom. Glad you can experience it now.
Best regards
All the best
Alex
Patrick- this podcast with you was probably the most insightful and relatable experience I have heard. I too was all in young pioneer always knowing this wasn’t the life for me. I would also go to other foreign language congregations, and doing the most while living a double life. So glad to hear there are other like me out there
Thanks Pat to share. It would be cool to have a this video in French too or with French subtitles !
Merci! Est-ce qu’on se connaît? Si tu viens de la Beauce jsuis vraiment curieux haha