A fascinating interview piece by Kevin Roose in the current issue of GQ magazine is the most revealing coverage to date of disgraced pastor Ted Haggard the founder and former leader of New Life Church. After a forced absence following the scandal of Haggard’s homosexual liaison with a male prostitute, ‘Pastor Ted’ is back in Colorado Springs and has started a new church – St. James Church.
Haggard, who prior to the scandal headed the National Association of Evangelicals, is revealed as a complex character who, while opposed to same-sex ‘marriage,’ is in favor of domestic partner benefits for homosexual couples.
Hagaard admits to sexual involvement with ‘escort’ Mike Jones as well as the purchase of and use of the drug crystal meth. Moreover he admits that he “enjoyed” pornography, both male and female porn.
“I think that probably, if I were 21 in this society, I would identify myself as a bisexual,” he says.
Of note, Haggard adds that while he has a proclivity toward bisexual sex he chooses to restrict his sexual engagements to his wife. Asked why he doesn’t take on bisexuality now, Haggard replied, “Because, Kevin, I’m 54, with children, with a belief system, and I can have enforced boundaries in my life. Just like you’re a heterosexual but you don’t have sex with every woman that you’re attracted to, so I can be who I am and exclusively have sex with my wife and be perfectly satisfied.”
The full GQ interview with Haggard is available online here