• Home
  • About
    • Merchandise
    • My Coming Out Story
  • Books by David W. Shelton
    • The Rainbow Kingdom
      • Steps to Reconciliation
      • Stories of Reconciliation
    • Unification: Rise of the Thunderblade
  • Sections
    • General Commentaries
    • Coming Out & Outings
    • Gay Rights
    • Gay Christians
    • Gay Marriage
    • Hate Groups
    • Politics
    • News
    • Scandals
    • Humor
    • Piccolo Memes
  • Top Posts
  • Conversation over Coffee
  • Contact
Skipping to the Piccolo
  • Home
  • About
    • Merchandise
    • My Coming Out Story
  • Books by David W. Shelton
    • The Rainbow Kingdom
      • Steps to Reconciliation
      • Stories of Reconciliation
    • Unification: Rise of the Thunderblade
  • Sections
    • General Commentaries
    • Coming Out & Outings
    • Gay Rights
    • Gay Christians
    • Gay Marriage
    • Hate Groups
    • Politics
    • News
    • Scandals
    • Humor
    • Piccolo Memes
  • Top Posts
  • Conversation over Coffee
  • Contact
Posts / View All
  • New York City Skyline as seen from Jersey City. Photo by David W. Shelton

    Remembering the September 11, 2001 attacks

    September 12, 2019
  • Unification: Rise of the Thunderblade

    Unification: Rise of the Thunderblade

    May 8, 2019
  • Battlestar Galactica and the quest for a great story

    May 6, 2019
  • Image copyright by CBS/Paramount Pictures.

    Lessons from Star Trek are timeless

    March 9, 2019
  • Star Blazers: The power of a great story

    March 5, 2019
  • Finger pointing at viewer while holding a Bible

    “I am a Christian, therefore…”

    February 26, 2019
  • Same-sex marriage rights under attack again in Tennessee

    February 17, 2019
  • The Irony of “Keep Christ in Christmas”

    December 22, 2018
  • GLAAD poll finds LGBTQ support slipping

    January 28, 2018
  • Adam West (1928-2017)

    June 10, 2017

A Formal Apology from John Paulk

By David W. Shelton On April 24, 2013 · 64 Comments · In Ex-Gay Fraud, I'm Gay
John Paulk, once the poster-boy for Focus on the Family's "ex-gay" organization, "Love Won Out" has written a formal apology and renounced his formal ex-gay past. In it, he writes that during his tenure at the top of the country's most famous conversion therapy organization, his "life did change as a Christian," but his sexual orientation did not.
Read More »

This is What Love in Action Looks Like – A Story of Grace

By David W. Shelton On May 11, 2012 · 1 Comment · In Gay Christians, I'm Gay, Movie Reviews
Full circle. It’s a phrase that denotes a kind of personal completion that a person rarely achieves, but is a momentous occasion when they do. That’s how I felt after watching the newly released documentary, This is What Love in Action Looks Like. The film chronicles the story of Zach Stark, who was forced by his parents into Refuge, a live-in program that was centered around the concept of reparative therapy. Zach’s story is one that spoke to me years ago when I first heard about it in the summer of 2005. At the time, we were in the process of forming a new PFLAG (Parents, Friends & Families of Lesbians and Gays) chapter, and it was a poignant reminder of just how much we need to support each other:
Read More »

Bird Legs and Eagle Wings: My Journey to Self Acceptance

By David W. Shelton On February 19, 2012 · 5 Comments · In I'm Gay
Everyone has their journey to self acceptance. Mine began years ago shortly after I reached the age of 30. By then, I was never truly confronted with my gay orientation. When I finally encountered a man who forever changed my life and the way I love, I not only faced my inner demons head-on, but vanquished them. I wrote this essay in late 2003 to help complete that process. I would eventually explore each of these themes in detail, but this was my turning point — and it not only helped me to put my thoughts together, but I later learned that it helped others as well. My hope is that my story will continue to touch lives...
Read More »

Another republican shamed after gay scandal (UPDATED)

By David W. Shelton On February 18, 2012 · Add Comment · In I'm Gay, Politics, Scandals
I don't feel sorry for Sheriff Paul Babeu. Not even a little bit. Here's a guy who tried to make his way through the American political scene by hiding the fact that he's gay (as if it's a bad thing) and then when his closet of lies and deception starts to crack, he goes ballistic, even threatening to have his ex-boyfriend deported.
Read More »

Exodus International director says 99.9% of people can’t change orientation

By David W. Shelton On January 9, 2012 · 2 Comments · In Gay Christians, Gay Rights, I'm Gay
When leaders announced that Alan Chambers would be in a panel at this weekend’s Gay Christian Network conference in Orlando this weekend, opinions flared. Chambers, president of the “ex-gay” group Exodus International, joined a panel that included three former Exodus ministry leaders, John Smid, Wendy VanderWal Gritter, and Jeremy Marks. If that weren’t wild enough, [...]
Read More »

Why I hate drag shows

By David W. Shelton On January 3, 2012 · Add Comment · In Gay Rights, General Commentaries, I'm Gay
All right. The cat's out of the bag. I'm a baaaad Southern fag. And you know, I think I'm pretty damned entitled to this particular gripe. Not that it was much of a secret. Back in 2005 and 2006 when we had our two Pride festivals here in Clarksville, rumors spread through the local gay community that "David Shelton doesn't like drag shows."
Read More »

‘Star Trek’ star Zachary Quinto comes out as gay

By David W. Shelton On October 16, 2011 · Add Comment · In I'm Gay, News
Zachary Quinto, famous for his role as Spock in the 2009 Star Trek film and as the deliciously evil Sylar in the hit TV show Heroes has come out as gay. This month’s New York magazine features an interview with the star where he unambiguously discusses his sexual orientation: For one thing, he’s willing to [...]
Read More »

Clay Aiken: born-again Christian. Oh, he’s gay too!

By David W. Shelton On September 24, 2008 · 5 Comments · In Gay Christians, General Commentaries, I'm Gay
As news of Clay Aiken’s coming out as a gay man reached the mainstream press, over the last couple of days, another statement made by the American Idol’s most famous runner-up has tongues wagging: The article also addresses him as a “born-again Christian.” Well, we can all imagine the vitriol that erupted as soon as [...]
Read More »

Clay Aiken: ‘I’m gay!’ The rest of us: ‘We know!’

By David W. Shelton On September 23, 2008 · 1 Comment · In General Commentaries, I'm Gay
Congratulations to Clay Aiken for confirming what the rest of us already knew. Living with integrity is really wicked cool – We’re proud to have you join the rest of the OUT world! As more of us come out, we’re sure to acquire our God-given rights. See? Closets just aren’t cool.
Read More »

Trapped in a broken mirror: Reconciling gay Christians with the Church

By David W. Shelton On September 20, 2008 · Add Comment · In Gay Christians, General Commentaries, I'm Gay
Author’s note: This piece was originally written in 2003, and is a re-posting of that article – with new edits. This is one of my first reflections on the issue of being gay and Christian, which eventually led me to the point where I am now. The original article was written several years before I [...]
Read More »

Ray Boltz has come out

By David W. Shelton On September 16, 2008 · 4 Comments · In I'm Gay
Apologies to my readers for taking so long to post – I’ve had a busy summer that’s only now starting to wind down (but still a while to go!). Regardless, one particular event has occurred that’s really shaken quite a few people within the Christian community: Ray Boltz, the singer behind such classics as “Thank [...]
Read More »

Coming Out Day is our day to speak!

By David W. Shelton On October 11, 2006 · Add Comment · In Gay Rights, I'm Gay
Well, here it is, another Coming Out Day. Advocate.com reported that 83% of all of the people they surveyed who are self-identified as “gay” are out. How lovely it would be if that represented all of the GLBT population. In the South, being out as GLBT is still very difficult for many people. This is [...]
Read More »
 
  • Popular
  • Recent
  • Comments
  • Tags
  • Relief from Constipated ChristianityIn an unlikely pairing of words I’ve decided to define [...]
  • Respect, Trust, Communication, and Sex: All parts of a great relationshipWhat is the formula to a great relationship? It’s really [...]
  • Offended by the American Flag? Nope.A trend for right-wing followers is to display bumper stickers [...]
  • Those mean old homosexuals!The last two years have been simply incredible for the [...]
  • Remembering the September 11, 2001 attacksIt’s been 18 years since our country was attacked. Our [...]
  • Unification: Rise of the ThunderbladeI’m excited to present my new book Unification: Rise of [...]
  • Battlestar Galactica and the quest for a great storyThere were many sources of inspiration to my book Unification: [...]
  • Lessons from Star Trek are timelessStar Trek’s lessons for all of us are just as [...]
  • "Holy cow, are you ignorant. First off, sex isn"
    on Homosexuality is Not […]
  • "Gay man here. 100% agree... although I'm a lot mo"
    on James Franco Movie, […]
  • "Hello! I was reading one of the religious forums w"
    on James Franco Movie, […]
activism AFA American Family Association announcements Barack Obama bigotry Bryan Fischer Christian Community Church of Clarksville christianity Christianity and Sexuality civil rights don't-ask-don't-tell Exodus International FRC gay christians gay marriage Grace homosexuality Humor Jesus liars marriage equality Peter Labarbera Religion sexuality Ted Haggard tennessee the Bible The Rainbow Kingdom Tony Perkins
  • Like me on Facebook!

  • Click to subscribe to my podcast on iTunes!
  • Search this site:

  • Subscribe to Skipping to the Piccolo

    Get the latest Skipping to the Piccolo blog post delivered to your email!
  • Follow me on Twitter!

    Follow @dwshelton
  • The Christian Left Facebook Page
  • Check out David’s Book!

    The Rainbow Kingdom: Christianity & the Homosexual Reconciled - Order yours TODAY!
  • Recent Comments

    • John on Homosexuality is Not a Sin.
    • Spaceman, MD on James Franco Movie, ‘I am Michael’ ‘True Ex-Gay” NOT Ex-Gay
    • Lety Ortiz on James Franco Movie, ‘I am Michael’ ‘True Ex-Gay” NOT Ex-Gay
    • David W. Shelton on Homosexuality is Not a Sin.
    • John Mitten on Homosexuality is Not a Sin.
  • Archives

  • Recent Posts

    • Remembering the September 11, 2001 attacks
    • Unification: Rise of the Thunderblade
    • Battlestar Galactica and the quest for a great story
    • Lessons from Star Trek are timeless
    • Star Blazers: The power of a great story
  • Blog Information Profile for Radroz
  • Exposing Anti-Gay Rhetoric

    • Box Turtle Bulletin
    • Equality Matters
    • Ex Gay Watch
    • Holy Bullies and Headless Monsters
    • Right Wing Watch
    • Truth Wins Out
  • Gay bloggers

    • Joe. My. God
    • John M. Becker
    • Towleroad
  • LGBT Resources

    • GayChurch.org – Find an Affirming Church
    • Impact Magazine
    • It Gets Better Project
    • Soulforce – Gay Christian Pamphlet
    • Tennessee Equality Project
    • The Gay Christian Netowrk
    • The Trevor Project
    • Whosoever – Gay and Christian
  • Recommended Sites

    • CanyonWalker Connections
    • Coffee Party USA
    • Dr. Warren Throckmorton
    • Egberto Willies
    • Imagine Media Solutions
    • John Shore
 
  • Latest Posts

    • Remembering the September 11, 2001 attacksIt’s been 18 years since our [...]
    • Unification: Rise of the ThunderbladeI’m excited to present my new [...]
    • Battlestar Galactica and the quest for a great storyThere were many sources of inspiration [...]
  • Recent Comments

    • "Holy cow, are you ignorant. First off, sex isn"
      on Homosexuality is Not […]
    • "Gay man here. 100% agree... although I'm a lot mo"
      on James Franco Movie, […]
    • "Hello! I was reading one of the religious forums w"
      on James Franco Movie, […]
  • Top Categories

    • General Commentaries (173)
    • Gay Rights (133)
    • Politics (74)
    • Gay Christians (53)
    • Hate Groups (49)
    • Gay Marriage (43)
  • About Skipping to the Piccolo

    David W. Shelton is a writer, graphic designer, activist, and business owner. He currently lives in Clarksville, TN, and has had works appear in The Leaf-Chronicle, The Advocate, The Tennessean, and Impact Magazine.
© 2021 Skipping to the Piccolo