Jim jones gay
Interviewee: Jim Jones
Interviewer: Cal Gough, with Randall Cumbaa
Go out of interview: August 1, 2017
Extent: mp3 audio file; mp4 video file
View transcript and video of interview
Biography:
Jim Jones was born and raised in Kingsport, Tenn. He grew up around his extended family, who were very religious. Jones attended the University of Tennessee, where he began exploring his identity as a gay man and as part of a gay society. He eventually became involved with the Radical Faeries and later with Queer Spirit Visions, in which he has been actively committed for many years.
Abstract:
Jones describes growing up in Kingsport, Tenn. with his conservative parents and grandparents and a brother who was also gay. He talks about coming into his personal and social self as a homosexual man as a college student, and discusses the evolution of his friendships and career. Jones discusses in detail his experiences attending and helping to plan conferences for Gay Spirit Visions.
Everybody is gay. All men are homosexual and all women are lesbians. People wrapped up in heterosexual relationships are not mature enough to deal with this. This leads to domestic aggression, and the abuse and abandonment of women. Gays and lesbians who are “out” have faced suffering and ostracism, therefore they are empathic to the treatment of poor people and racial minorities. Gays and lesbians are the most loyal people in the movement.
Preached from the pulpit since the mid-sixties, these words were often heard in Peoples Temple meetings and services. But what did it mean? What was Jim Jones saying beyond the obvious? Who was the message for? Almost every book, movie or play written about Peoples Temple mentions that Jones preach this philosophy. The sentiment is so absurd on its face that there is nothing to analyze. It’s an obvious example of Jones’ depravity. What more is there to say? He was obviously nuts.
However gay and lesbian Temple members heard something else in the words “everyone is gay.” They heard, “you are equals.” Peoples Temple was one of the very few churches in the 60s and 70s that maintained a policy of true acceptance. Gays in Peoples Temple were no
By Rev. Irene Monroe
With forty years since the Jonestown massacre, a more disturbing image of the Revered Jim Jones’s treatment toward his LGBTQ parishioners emerges.
This Nov. 18 marked the 40th anniversary of the Jonestown massacre. The mass murder-suicide was the largest casualty of American citizens before 9/11.
With 40 years since the Jonestown massacre, a more disturbing image of the Rev. Jim Jones’ treatment toward his LGBTQ parishioners emerges.
Jones was the charismatic white founder and cult commander of the Peoples Temple, a San Francisco-based evangelical church. And, he was the founder of the “Peoples Temple Agricultural Project,” a utopian socialist commune in a remote jungle outpost in Guyana, South America. Also, Jones was a megalomaniacal attracted to both genders and sexual molester.
As a sympathizer with the oppressed and social outcasts, it is not surprising Jones developed a large and devoted following of African Americans. He also developed a massive following of LGBTQs.
Over 900 members of the Peoples Temple died in the Jonestown massacre in 1978. Of the 900 plus, approximately, 75 percent of Peoples Temple congregants were African American, 20 percent were white, a
James Gay Jones
James Gay Jones was born on December 24, 1966, in Columbus, Ohio. James was the fourth of five siblings all born to Anna Jean Jones. Jim or “Big Jim” as he was affectionately called by his friends and family, was a proud 1985 graduate of Columbus East High School. He was a faithful employee of Columbus City Schools for 20 plus years.
Jim was a very friendly, gleeful, generous and compassionate person; people always mentioned his infectious smile. If there was music playing at a celebration or party, Jim was on the dance floor for the duration. If you were celebrating; one of his greatest joys, was celebrating with you!
As an avid lover of sports, during football season, it wasn’t uncommon to hear him yell out “How about them Cowboys!” (whether they were winning or losing). Jim was also a huge fan of Thee Ohio State University Buckeyes. He became “Sideline Couch Coach Jim” during the games, yelling out plays to the OSU top coach as though he could he heard through the television screen. Large Jim also enjoyed the time and fellowship he spent with his family, tight knit group of buddies and his friends.
Jim transitioned this earthly being on Monday, January 31, 202