WHY Book Endorsements–John Smid, Former Very Influential Ex-gay Leader–Jennifer Foster, CoFounder of One Orlando Alliance

These endorsements are from one very long time friend, John, and a dear friend I met soon after coming out of the closet.

John and I go way back… I mean way way way back. Now we are both free of the cult of ex-gay ideology. Thank you and love you John! You can order your copy of WHY today.

Here is John’s full review (not all would fit on the graphic:

Why does someone self abuse? Why does someone enter a toxic religion? Why does someone end up in serial harmful relationships? Why does someone determine to close a huge organization? Why do people remain in unhealthy closeted homosexuality? Why? In WHY, Randy answers this question over and over, and over again.

“Why” is the question we all ask when we are at the deepest level of despair and pain, seeking answers to life’s questions. But Randy didn’t stop with just screaming the question with tight fists—he pursued until the answers were found. In his memoir, Randy has completely exposed himself vulnerably and humbly. His writing is something that will allow anyone to see themselves within his words. 

This appropriately-named book is an entire encyclopedia of information for anyone going through the transition from a toxic anti-gay theological and life experience. It’s not a book that can just be read, it must be digested, processed, and maybe even needs to be done with a group of trusted friends. Each sentence, each paragraph has far too much in it to just go on to the next one. I can imagine spending days or weeks just pondering many of Randy’s personal life experiences. It’s a study guide that will help anyone evaluate their own transition alongside someone who has deeply revealed their own life experiences.

Family abuse, toxic religion, personal addictions, closeted homosexuality, self abuse… Randy has vulnerably exposed his own life so that you will know you are not alone.

John Smid

Former Ex-Gay leader for 22 years, 18 years Executive Director for Love In Action and 11 years as a board member of Exodus International

I went to a screening of “For They Know Not What They Do” and sat next to Jennifer. We had met once before at an event before that documentary was released. Anyway, I was sitting by myself and she came over and sat next to me. We chit-chatted but during the film I got very emotional over the pain Exodus had caused, I had caused, this one family. She didn’t say a word and just took my hand into hers as an unconditional friend. Since then we became friends and I just love her. She is grace personified.

Randy’s memoir is an honest look at the growth of a soul here on planet earth. He’s come here to do the work of the Divine and along the way, had to learn some valuable lessons that he can now apply to his own life and share with others. His authenticity, heart, and sense of humor shine through as he details some very tormenting and troubling times he experienced throughout his life. If I had known all of this about Randy prior to meeting and getting to know him, I would have never imagined much of what was shared in his book. It just goes to show we must not judge one another, and that is perhaps one of the greatest messages of this book. Judgment doesn’t serve any of us and we certainly never know someone’s most intimate perspective, experiences, and/or potential outcomes. In WHY, Randy tells us who he is—then and now—and who he has the intention to be. He shares this with a genuineness that allows us to feel into his pain, his healing, and his ever-evolving journey of transformation, love, growth, and up-leveling of consciousness.

Jennifer Foster

Co-Founder of One Orlando Alliance,
Writer/Producer/Director at Foster Productions, Inc.

And tonight is the big book launch/birthday party for moi :). What an incredibly memorable week. I will live-stream the party from 7:30-8pm(Ish) Eastern. Click here to learn more.

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