Christian Evangelist Ted Haggard appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show today to talk about his sexuality and sexual relationships with men. He also spoke briefly about what may have been sexual abuse that occurred as a child by one of his father's employees.
Ted Haggard does not think that he is gay but that he has "homosexual temptations." According to Ted Haggard his therapist says that he is a heterosexual with homosexual attachments.
The Reason Ted Haggard Didn't Kill Himself
Ted Haggard told Oprah that the fact that his wife of 30 years Gail and his children have stood by him during the scandal is the reason he did not kill himself.
Haggard said that he wanted to be a great husband who was faithful to his wife. Even though his homosexual compulsions led him to seek out male prostitutes and crystal meth. He told Oprah that he believes he's become a new man in Christ.
Haggard Admits To Having Homosexual Temptations
Haggard admits to still having sexual thoughts about men as well as homosexual temptations but says it's not compulsive anymore and he would no longer act on it.Ted Haggard said that telling his wife the truth began the beginning of the greatest darkness and despair he's ever experienced.
His wife Gail joined Ted Haggard on the Oprah Show to tell her side of the story. Gail Haggard talked about her husband's denial and how she chose to forgive and love him after finding out the truth.
Early in the marriage Gail suspected that her husband had a problem with "his thoughts" but said she thought it was fixed after he received therapy.
Oprah Gets Real With The Couple
Oprah got into a bit of a heated discussion with Ted Haggard's wife Gail who said that her husband has a "choice." Oprah told Gail that she believes that God doesn't want her husband to deny who he truly is.
After the scandal broke Haggard resigned from the ministry that he had founded and his friends quickly abandoned him, Haggard says that he is still sorry that he was hypocrite and that he disappointed the people of the church.
Ted Haggard HBO Documentary
Ted Haggard will be appearing in an HBO documentary airing tomorrow, January 29, 2009. The documentary was filmed over an 18 month period and gives an in depth look at Ted Haggard's life in exile after the scandal.
Since the documentary has been filmed the Haggard's church has lifted their restrictions and welcomed him back into the Colorado community.
After watching today's show all that I can say is wow, I don't think I've ever seen a couple more in denial in my life. I see what I think most people see, a gay man trying to be straight and a wife that doesn't want to believe her husband could be a homosexual. I feel sorry for Ted Haggard, he is one confused and conflicted individual.
Here's a look at Ted Haggard's HBO special:
Update: Ted Haggard and wife return to the Oprah Show on January 26, 2010, you can find out more about the show here.
a most interesting interview. I am curious...has Gail Haggard been an actress? She looks so very familiar .
Thank you,
Sharon
Posted by: Sharon Stime | January 31, 2009 at 08:37 PM
Hi Sharon,
I don't think that she was ever an actress but you've probably seen her on television before in an interview, etc.
Posted by: Administrator | February 03, 2009 at 01:28 PM