“Ex-Gay” Teen Tells Tyra: Exorcism Works

Back in March we learned of the church in Connecticut that had posted YouTube clips of its bizarre “homosexuality exorcism” rituals. It took a few months, but eventually the mainstream media picked up on the story, prompting Connecticut to investigate the church for abusing children. This week the 16 year-old focus of the inquiry, who was seen flopping around on the floor as church members screamed at him, appeared on Tyra Banks’ show to claim that the exorcism worked and he is no longer gay. Via Rod McCullom:

“Jeffrey” tells Tyra: “I am healed by the power and authority of the Holy Spirit that came into me that day .. and removed the unclean spirit from me. Because I do not want to live the homosexual lifestyle. I have nothing against them if they want to live that way but they have a choice to serve … the Lord.” The teen says that he has been struggling” with his “sexuality since [he] was five years old” and adds that in his teens he began to “cross-dress” and wear women’s clothing. The teen also defends Patricia McKinney, the self-proclaimed “prophet” and pastor of Manifested Glory Ministries in Bridgeport, and explains the convulsions and vomiting seen on tape: “That is the unclean spirit moving … out of our body. It tends to shake and move in ways that are not natural.” The boy appears unsure of himself and coached. He is also concealing his identity and wearing a “beard”. (It probably won’t be the last time, either.)