Living Out Loud with Darian

The battle to convert gays is headed to my neighborhood in the form of theatrical entertainment. "Once Upon A Dream", a stage play produced by Micah 6:8 Media, a Christian company, is gearing up for a short run at the 14th Street Playhouse in Midtown Atlanta.


The play is being discreetly billed as "a play about a young man balancing life in two worlds,"but is truly a story about a young man "in his 30's struggling with the sin of same sex attraction" according to Atlanta's Southern Voice.


However, in an email sent to a number of Atlanta area churches, the play’s director specifically describes the play as a ministry to try to convert gay people.


Chuck Bowen, the former head of Georgia Equality and the executive director of the Central Presbyterian Outreach & Advocacy Center, received the email July 23.


In the email, Toni Henson of Stone Mountain-based Micah 6:8 Media Ministry and director of the play, offered Bowen’s gay-affirming church four complimentary tickets to a preview of the play on July 25 as part of a deal to partner with the company “to reach out to 155 million practicing homosexuals as we launch this unique, bible-based Christian ministry through this dramatic stage play.”


The email goes on to say: “‘Once Upon a Dream’ tackles the tough Issues… 1) Is FREEDOM from homosexuality possible? 2) Can I be gay and Christian? 3) How is same sex marriage & the pro-gay agenda affecting the church? 4) What are the risks if my church does outreach to gays?”


Henson, the director, also says in the email, “Join us if you believe that God approved plan is relations between a man and woman in a legal marriage yet understand the need for outreach that is compassionate, loving, & carefully planned.”


When has there ever been compassionate and loving outreach on behalf of fundamentalists to the gay community? That last line is laughable. Also take note that "Once Upon A Dream" boasts an all black cast that will "minister" to a city with a heavy black gay population. Coincidence? I think not.


The play opens July 30 and runs through Aug 1. Get into the trailer below which conveniently includes a simulated male same-sex rape scene.