Sunday, July 24, 2011

Out Spotlight

Today's Out Spotlight is about a televangelist, a son and a grandson and change.

Televangelist Oral Roberts, had four children, two sons, and two daughters, two who continue to live in his legacy. One son followed his footsteps and was a former president of Oral Roberts University before stepping down over allegations of mismanagement of funds, and a daughter, a Tulsa attorney who serves on the ORU board. His other two children, passed early in their lives, daughter who was killed in a plane crashed in 1977, and a son Ronnie Roberts, who took his life in 1982.

But why would Out Spotlight highlight a televangelist who's rants against homosexuality were so legendary that they still can be seen on You Tube?

It is because of his grandson, Randy Roberts Potts' who is breaking from the Roberts legacy and creating a new one, one of courage and acceptance.

For all of Oral Roberts' fire and brimstone preaching against homosexuality, it was something that happening in his own family, and it was something no one in his family or church would dare speak. Robert's son Ronnie, after trying to live how his father expected him to, came out as gay man to the Rev. Troy Perry, founder of the Metropolitan Community Church, in the early 1980s. Six months later, Ronnie Roberts committed suicide.

Those in the LGBT community knew that Oral Roberts had a gay son, but it was something that was never mentioned in the Roberts family or in the church that Roberts created. In the family and at church it was a big secret. Grandson Randy said he didn’t know himself until fairly recently that his uncle was gay.

Potts was 8 years old when his Uncle Ronnie shot himself through the heart at the age of 30. When Potts came out himself at the age of 30, it was a completely different ending or in his case a beginning to a life story.

Randy Roberts Potts knew he was gay when he was a young boy, speaking of how he crushed on boys on his class growing up. He also knew growing up in the Roberts clan that was something he could never tell anyone. Close to his Grandmother Evelyn, he was distant to his grandfather, who never really knew his grandson's name despite living less than a 100 yards from each other.

After growing up in the shadow of family Potts headed to Oklahoma University where at the age of 18 he met a girl who reminded him of his grandmother. Determined to live the life he was taught, he began dating her, but did share with her that he was bisexual, having feeling for men too. By 20 they were married. By his late 20's he was married with three children and admitting to himself that was not his genuine life. He wasn't bisexual he was gay, and had always been.

While not knowing much about his uncle life until he was older, Potts identifies most closely with him, and the parallels in their life are remarkable. They look alike. They were both teachers. They both married, had children and divorced at about the same age. “We married very similar women, too,” Potts said.

They were also about the same age when they came out. But there is a major difference between the two. Ronnie ended his life and Potts embraced his.

Ten years after Potts and his wife were married, he and his wife divorced. When she got a new job in Dallas, he moved here to be near his children. They have joint custody of their three children.

When he came out the times were much more different for him than for his uncle.“By the time I was in my late 20s, we had ‘Will & Grace,’” Potts said. “In 1982 in Tulsa, there were no role models.”

“In the gay community people knew that,[Uncle Ronnie was gay]” he said. “In my family it was utter heresy that I mentioned it.” He said the “the act of saying it publicly” has estranged most of his family from him.

Since he has come out, Potts said only two people in his family even talk to him — his brother, who is also gay and a distant cousin. He wasn't even told about his grandmother until after her passing. And was not allowed to sit with the family at his grandfather's funeral.

But that is not a deterrent for him and his new life. Potts says he believes people need to take responsibility for their own lives. If their families aren’t supportive, they need to surround themselves with people who are. That is what made the difference for him.

Last fall Potts made a poignant and touching video as a part of the It's Gets Better campaign last fall. In it is a him reading a letter he wrote to his Uncle Ronnie.


Last Sunday, July 17th, Potts went home to Tulsa, not to preach at the church his family founded, but to speak about who he is and his life and his faith at the All Souls Unitarian Church.


It is a bit long, but very well worth watching.


From a man in who's legacy is public condemnation of homosexuality, it is from his own family that comes change - a courageous voice sharing "something good is going to happen to them today" for him and those like him, who his grandfather condemned.

Change can and does come, this is just one example of how it can.

33 comments:

Florida Tom said...

Cool Spotlight today SK Randy is very attractive.

I still feel so horrible about what happened in Norway. The whole story is just unbelievable.

Feel bad for Amy Whinehouse also. She just didnt get the help she needed.

Great day for NY.

AUS10 said...

Congratulations to Cadel Evans and Australia. One of my favorite riders. #TDF
33 minutes ago

the real m said...

Very interesting spotlight today, as usual. I watched a brief interview on CNN re dont ask dont tell where they talked to a former service man and discussed how its only the older military population that has issues with open sexuality. The younger generation largely does not care one way or another. And I do think the growing number of gay characters on TV had a lot to do with the acceptance or indifference in the younger generations. When I was growing up I did not encounter an openly gay person until I went to college at age 19, and even then I don't think it was in my first year. Second maybe. Of course, once I move to the San Francisco bay area, diversity in every possible aspect was the rule.

the real m said...

I'm not a big an of Russell Brand, but he did a very nice tribute to Amy Winehouse that got posted to ONTD. Great reading really as he talks about what it is like to fight addiction. His personality puts me off, but he is intelligent and can be thoughtful when he tempers that manic energy.

Perez Hilton said...

Showing off his shiny bald head, and looking very tropical, Jake Gyllenhaal was spotted by a Perezcious reader posing for a pic with an unidentified woman at a wedding in Hawaii.

Jake shaved his head for his upcoming cop drama End of Watch. It's growing on us!

Nordeste said...

Powerful Spotlight today - changes are coming, now being able to serve openly in our military, and able to marry in several states.

I agree, M, about Russell Brand! I like him, and his tribute to Amy Winehouse.

It's so sad; she's such a talent, her wonderful voice, her songwriting, and I loved her look, the beehive and eyeliner, she was beautiful, reminded me of Ronnie Spector.

prairiegirl said...

I haven't read the spotlight yet so I can't comment on it yet. Just got back to the house of dogs.

I just want to tell Perez that Jake's shiny head is not growing on me so he stands on that island by himself.

prairiegirl said...

Hey Tom! What is this about Brett Favre and the Eagles, buddy? He's been trending on Twitter all day and I see these people telling the Eagles "Noooooooo!"

lol

Florida Tom said...

Been down in Rocky Mount, NC this weekend so I haven't heard too much PG but during the week it was mentioned and most fans were not happy with the prospect of Favre coming here. If the Eagles do trade Kevin Kolb they will need a backup. Vick is definitely the starter but with the way he plays he gets hurt a lot.

prairiegirl said...

Oh, lucky you, Tom! Hope you had a great time.

It would be hard to believe this guy would come back yet again for another season.

norwegian girl said...

so sad about amy winehouse. such an artist she was:( on the other hand it was so lovely to see photos from NY today<3 very touching to see a photo of two old women who could finally express the love they have for each other in a way they felt was needed!

norwegian girl said...

and thank you all for your sympathi<3 its still so shocking. takes a lot of time. so far 93 are dead, about 80 injuried and several missing. thy havent released many names yet, but i already know one who is missing her sister from utøya. not very personal, but my sons teatcher from til last year. see her from time to time. feel so sad with her:( hope they finds her sister soon...

prairiegirl said...

Hi ng, good to see you. Those numbers are terrible as were some of the pictures that I saw. I hope your son's teacher does find her sister - what an awful wait that must be.

I bet I saw the same picture that you did of the two ladies who were the first couple to be married in New York. Indeed, a very uplifting picture, wasn't it?

I just got to thinking - this is kind of odd, isn't it, to be doing legal ceremonies on Sunday??? What I mean by that, is court work. Usually courts aren't open on Sundays, are they? Wonder why today was the first day and not Monday?

norwegian girl said...

i bet it was the same picture pg:) just lovly:) the smiles on their faces just cant describe how much they also made me :) just adorable!

yes the nr are so so terrible.
i have no words. we are all so sad. and thats now. we will see photos and names in the days coming. i guess it will be worse then.to see them. in our country now its just sadness. we will have one minute in silence tomorrow.
sweden and denmark will joyn us, so we have good neighbours. means a lot<3

prairiegirl said...

When are you doing your minute of silence, ng? Maybe I can participate in that if it's during my waking hours. I see you're 7 hours ahead of me. And by the way, my dear friend, what on earth are you doing up so early?! You're sitting in the light of the moon! lol

prairiegirl said...

Hey and that's really great for Denmark and Sweden to join in as well. I've got to get out my online maps and see where they are, they must border you?

prairiegirl said...

Okay, Sweden is to your east and Denmark actually down to the south.

How beautiful I bet the Norwegian sea is, ng. And I see Iceland is over to your west - I did not realize. And Ireland not very far. That must be all beautiful country.

prairiegirl said...

I will be up, ng, I googled the minute of memoriam and it is at noon on Monday which will be 5am my time. I'll join you all in honoring your country's tragic loss. I won't forget.

norwegian girl said...

sweden, denmark and norway is scandinavia. its only us, so we are extremely close, he he;)
we all speak about the same language. not quite the same, but if we speak slowly, we understand eachother very well. my grandmother is danish. its very much alike:) it 12.00, norwegian time pg, well almost exactly about 8 hours from now. think its nighttime for you americans then right?

norwegian girl said...

thank you so much pg. you are a very very good friend<3 i will be going to bed now and be thinking of all those who are suffering tomorrow at 5 am your time, knowing i have a friend in USA who stands by me<3...and i will cry....

prairiegirl said...

Yup, and I've got to be headed to bed. I'm watching 3 dogs for someone, ng and two of them sleep with me, the Australian Shepherd and the black Lab. They do not give me a lot of sleep, LOL. But this is my last night and tomorrow I will return home.

I'll be up in time to observe your Minute of Silence, ng and I'll be thinking of you all.

Night, ng!

Special K said...

Jake and Maggie at their dad's wedding in Hawaii

The Daily Mail

destiny said...

What a courageous story story in today's post, but it's better to make your own family than to end up the way his father did.

I heard about the moment of silence on the radio this morning, I"m sorry I didn't know about it and wasn't up early enough to participate, but I will observe a moment of silence today for everyone in Norway.

Methodical Muser said...

Well, I set my alarm at 3 a.m. PST and walked outside for an extended period of rememberance and affirmation of life. A beautiful evening in California set the right tone for sending out the message that those who turn their back on modernity and multiculturalism will not win.

I have never had the good fortune to know Norwegian Girl, but my heart and best wishes are with you and your nation. Stay strong and continue to love one another.

Methodical Muser said...

Of course, The Daily Mail just had to use the occasion of Jake's attendance at his father's wedding to push the "heterosexuality" angle again (i.e. dating Kirsten Dunst and Reese Witherspoon). I just have to shake my head at the desperateness of this need to make Jake look "normal" at all costs. I know he probably had nothing to do with this, but whoever did should be ashamed of themselves.

~rolls eyes~ said...

Well, M&M, maybe that's what the Daily Mail believe. Not everyone is under the assumption that Jake is gay. Sorry if that upsets your delicate sensibilities.

the real m said...

I'm sure glad they had an outdoor beach wedding so we could get a peak at the new wife. She wore white so it may be a first time marriage for her. Also, you can sure tell guests who are related to Stephan - brothers or sisters I guess by the family resemblance. As for the copy, pretty obvious it was just stock filler material.

Methodical Muser said...

Not everyone is under the assumption that Jake is gay. Sorry if that upsets your delicate sensibilities.

Hardly delicate, but I have lots of sensesibilities and brain cell capacity. You know what Dylan says, "You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows."

And, yeah, m I agree this is stock filler material that is still annoying nonetheless. The story was supposed to be about his father remarrying not who horndog Jake has dated in the past. Wonder why they didn't include old Tay Tay and the 800 actresses he was "seen" with from January-March of this year? Actually, if all the tabloid was interested in was reminding people who Jake has dated, I wonder why they didn't mention Austin? LOL!

LOL said...

At this point who doesn't think Jake is gay? You need to get a clue, "rolls eyes". By the way, you're on the wrong site, if you don't think Jake is gay. Go over to Babbleland and you'll be much happier.

actually said...

I also wonder about trolls who lurk and pounce on blogs and websites that have a POV. Some posters are just naysayers no matter what the topic. But, on this kind of site, to be attacking regulars for believing Jake is gay, is actually pretty funny. They must like pounding their heads against a brick wall too.
Btw: Jake is as gay as they come.

east valley snob said...

Conservative gays take note: You are unwelcome. You have kooties
Divisions On the Right Over Gays In Its Ranks

By ERIK ECKHOLM

A bitter dispute over whether a gay conservative group should co-sponsor the conservative movement's largest gathering of the year has led some prominent supporters to withdraw from the event next month.

Riding the winds of success in November's midterm elections, this year's Conservative Political Action Conference, which is set to begin Feb. 10 in Washington, is expected to draw Republican presidential aspirants like Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul, as well as thousands of activists.

But some conservative pillars, including church-based groups like the Family Research Council, Concerned Women for America and Liberty University and others like the Heritage Foundation, are refusing to participate. They are angry that the gay organization, GOProud, has been given a seat at the planning table. These groups are implacable opponents of same-sex marriage, which they say GOProud implicitly endorses by saying that the question should be left to the states.

At least one reputed presidential hopeful, Senator Jim DeMint, Republican of South Carolina, has also declined to attend, expressing support for the boycotters.

"GOProud is working to undermine one of our core values," said Mathew D. Staver, dean of the Liberty University School of Law. Letting gay men and lesbians attend the conference is one thing, he said, "but they shouldn't be allowed to be co-sponsors."

Every winter since 1973, an A-list of conservative and libertarian interest groups has gathered for CPAC, as the conference is known, to hear luminaries like Ronald Reagan and Glenn Beck and to plan strategies for cutting government, strengthening defense and protecting traditional values. The meeting attracts throngs of young people who greet favored leaders as if they were rock stars, and its annual straw poll can give a boost to future national candidates.

It was at CPAC, in 1994, that Paula Jones first publicized her accusation that Bill Clinton had sexually harassed her while he was governor of Arkansas.

Planners expect some 10,000 people to attend this year's conclave.

Long-simmering tensions concerning the importance of family issues erupted a year ago when the American Conservative Union, the organizer of the event, allowed GOProud to take an active role as one of dozens of co-sponsors. The dispute boiled over as preparations began for next month's meeting, sharply splitting the union's board of directors.

GOProud, founded in 2009, claims to have 10,000 members and holds conservative views on taxes, gun control and national security, although it favored repeal of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. And while it does not formally endorse same-sex marriage, it opposes any federal standard as well as the federal Defense of Marriage Act, a sacred text for social conservatives.

The clash reflects a fissure within conservative circles that deepened with the rise of the religious right in the 1980s, pitting those with a libertarian bent, who are most concerned with limiting government, against those, mainly led by evangelical Christians, who see same-sex marriage and abortion as acid tests.

A host of large and small church-based groups is boycotting the conference because of GOProud's role. Its status was also cited by some secular groups, including the Heritage Foundation and the Media Research Center, when they dropped out this year.

Similar differences may bubble up as Republicans vie for the presidential nomination, although nearly all the hopefuls say they oppose same-sex marriage and abortion. Many of the likely candidates, including self-identified evangelicals like Tim Pawlenty, the former governor of Minnesota, and Rick Santorum, the former senator from Pennsylvania, have steered clear of the dispute and are speaking at the conference next month.
www.nytimes.com]

destiny said...

Of course we know Jake is gay, the point is that the media never seems to miss a chance to reinforce his supposedly hetero status. Can't have people wondering why someone as eligible as Jake hasn't walked down the aisle yet when he's such a family man.

Isn't it such a shame. ;)

And even if it isn't coming directly from the Gyllenhaals, it is certainly a product of the work of Jake's pr people to make sure that he is forever linked to his beards.

It also has the effect of making Jake seem like he isn't worthy of attention in his own right.

~rolls eyes~ said...

By the way, you're on the wrong site, if you don't think Jake is gay.

Oh. I never opined on that in my post, did I? No I didn't.