Find the most recent XGW coverage of Kirk Talley here.
August 6, 2004
The antigay Southern Baptist who attempted to extort money from southern gospel singer Kirk Talley was sentenced Aug. 4 to 20 months in prison and ordered to pay Talley $100,000 in restitution.
According to the Knoxville News-Sentinel (free subscription required), Talley lost as much as $420,000 in canceled concerts, commissions and merchandise sales when it was publicly disclosed that Talley had been struggling with sexual orientation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney A. William Mackie said Walbert K. Farmer, 39, targeted Talley because Farmer “saw Mr. Talley as a vulnerable victim because of sexual orientation.”
“This was a hate crime,” Mackie said. “Did (Farmer) seek at any time as a purported Christian to help Mr. Talley through a preacher? No. He is claiming to be a moral person who is outraged when, in fact, he is a person who had a well-orchestrated plan to get money.”
Read Mackie’s comments again. An attorney, acting on behalf of a singer seeking ex-gay counseling, appealed to popular opposition to hate crimes.
It’s interesting to see hate-crime concerns raised in sentencing an antigay crime against someone connected with the ex-gay movement. This event raises a couple questions:
1) Should race-, religion-, or sex-based extortion be prosecuted more harshly than extortion solely for profit? If not, then why raise the issue in court?
2) Will the ex-gay movement leaders re-evaluate their opposition to hate-crime laws or their denial that hate crimes are a serious problem?
3) Much of the online conservative Christian commentary about Talley has been quite hateful. How many Southern Baptists identify in some way with the “moral outrage” of the extortionist? How forgiving is that?
Find previous XGW coverage of Kirk Talley here. Thanks to Ray Whiting for the heads-up.
Update, Aug, 21, 2004: In an e-mailed newsletter dated today, Kirk Talley reports to his supporters that he has concluded a six-month period of retreat and redemption. He is resuming concerts, attending Maranatha Church of the Harvest in Lenoir City, Tenn., and continuing counseling. He thanks a long list of people, including his ex-gay counselors. Interested individuals may subscribe to Talley’s newsletter here.
I think it’s important to note that, contrary to one commentator who said, “it looks like the judge threw the book at him for being disgusted with homosexuality”, the judge actually punished Farmer for taking matters into his own hands. I don’t see in this article that the judge even addressed the issue of rightness or wrongness of a particular sexual orientation. That is, anyone can still have an opinion on a matter, but you can’t take it upon yourself to punish (or take punitive action) against another just for having an opinion or lifestyle different from your own.
I’m so incredibly opinionated about this particular case, and about anti-gay sentiment in general, I’m going to withhold further opinion until others chime in on these very important questions you posed.
Ray
Does anyone know what’s really happening with Kirk Talley these days? His website detailed his amazing and momentous healing through a bizarre combination of demonic deliverance, ‘theophostic’ prayer, and good old-fashioned counseling. Updates were promised, but for several months there has been no word re: Kirk’s progress. Just a big blank on his site where the updates were supposed to go. Now there are some concerts scheduled, starting mid-August. I guess I’m assuming he did everything he needed to do to satisfy his counselors and preserve his career (and a sizeable piece of the southern gospel music industry), but I was sort of hoping he’d consider other choices. Either way, I hope he’s at peace.
I think that Kirk’s advisors have told him to not to say anything else on the subject and to “move on”. If he doesn’t talk about it, then it’s like being gay never really happened. I’m sure most Christians don’t want to hear about it. It tarnishes their image of the Kirk Talley that they all revered and loved for so many years. However, I’m interested in hearing from Kirk to find out how he really feels about it–although I don’t think we ever will. I have his aol e-mail adddress, but I doubt that he would respond with the actual truth of how he really feels. If anyone knows any additional news about him, I would be interested in hearing it.
Jim and others interested:
A man named David who identifies himself as Kirk Talley’s nephew posted an update and commentary today on the ‘In the Faith’ website (on a lengthy and redundant thread with nearly 500 postings as of today.) You might want to check it out. Here’s the link.
OOPS 🙂
An alert Ray pointed out that the above-mentioned posting at ‘In the Faith’ is by a man who includes a lengthy quote by Kirk’s niece Lauren Talley. Anyway, it’s still worth the read for those who are interested. Sorry for being confusing!
Does this mean that Kirk Talley has renounced homorsexuality and is no longer living the lifestyle? If the 6 months from the public eye is an attempt to “re-invent” himself(ala Madonna), what a sad commentary about the state of Christian/Southern Gospel music when the almighty dollar has taken importance over integrity. This is another indication of the overall state of the world today.
Todd asked if Kirk has renounced homorsexuality (does Marge know?) and:
As has been oh-so-frequently pointed out, homosexuality is not a lifestyle, but a sexual orientation that spans every known lifestyle and socioeconomic, demographic, or social-behavioral measure. There is no such thing as the homosexual “lifestyle”. The “lifestyle” he was living was one of service to his friends and fans and family.
His current activities seem to reflect that his six months of intensive counseling and personal work have brought a renewed commitment to be who he has always been: a highly talented gospel singer. That isn’t “re-inventing” himself, but getting back to what he has always done in his life with a renewed focus and purpose after a time of refreshing under the care of ministers and others whom he trusted and whose counsel he sought.
I don’t see how Kirk has lost one iota of integrity, nor is this situation any reflection of anything in the industry replacing integrity with the almighty dollar. Are you suggesting Kirk should go on unemployment or no longer pursue his career in gospel music, or switch to some other genre?
Actually, the condemnation in your comments is a more accurate gauge of your own apostasy, falling out of grace and back into legalism, not to mention highlighting your own severe lack of imagination — apparently you can’t imagine your god doing something in someone else’s life without your consent and approval.
I thought the Christian faith was about faith, mercy, forgiveness and so forth. Did you get so little of it that there’s none left for Kirk?
If this US attorney is what I think he is (a federal prosecutor), I’m surprised that he would be opining that it was a hate crime. (I assume that he is speaking because he was prosecuting the case, and they had some basis for federal jurisdiction.) He should know that there is no federal hate crime statute that covers sexual orientation. Hence from a federal standpoint it could not have been a hate crime.
You’re probably right, raj. From the federal standpoint, it might not have the legal standing of a federally recognized “hate crime”. But (and I’m only guessing here) in the process of prosecuting the crime of extortion he may have acknowledged the crime of extortion was occasioned by Mr. Farmer’s bias against homosexuality. Farmer wasn’t punished because of his position on homosexuality, but because Farmer used that position to try and extort money from Talley, which would be different than if Talley had won the lottery and Farmer wanted some of it; or if Talley were a straight politian or had some other position of standing. The crime was directly related to Farmer’s moral outrage that Talley earned a living in religious music, and is/was (?) a gay man, so I’m guessing the prosecutor felt free to opine in that direction.
One thing–I’m just floored that a few months off the road would result in having to forego some US$420 THOUSAND in revenue. Gigs in gospel music must be very lucrative.
IT HAS ALWAYS AMAZED HOW MANY SO CALLED CHRISTIANS WANT TO THROW ROCKS
WE WILL ALL BE JUDGED BY NOT BY A SO CALLED CHRISTIAN SOCIETY
GO KIRK YOU BE THE LIGHT FOR MANY LIVES…
SO MANY PEOPLE CALL THEMSELVES CHRISTIANS AND CLAIM TO KNOW GODS WILL AND HIS THOUGHTS . NO ONE KNOWS WHAT GOD FEELS OR HIS THOUGHTS EXCEPT GOD . BEING GAY IS “NOT” A CHOICE. EITHER YOU ARE BORN HETERO-SEXUAL OR “HOMO-SEXUAL” ( NOT HOMOR )AND NO I DONT THINK MARGE KNOWS )
ALSO THE REASON THIS CASE WAS TRIED AS A FEDERAL CASE IS BECAUSE THE EXTORTION OF KIRK TALLEY WAS DONE, IN PART , BY INTERNET. THIS MAKES IT A FEDERAL CASE . KIRK IS A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE AND HAS BEEN FOR MANY YEARS .HE IS ONE OF THE MOST TALENTED AND GIFTED SINGER/SONG WRITERS IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS. JUST BECAUSE HE IS GAY , DOES NOT MAKE HIM ANY LESS HUMAN . I AM SURE ALL OF YOU (CHRISTIANS ) OUT THERE WHO ARE JUDGING KIRK KNOW WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT JUDGING OTHERS . GOD IS THE ONLY JUDGE .I AM SURE THERE ARE LOTS OF THINGS THAT MOST OF YOU DO IN YOUR LIFE THAT OTHERS MAY NOT APPROVE OF .DO YOU THINK OTHER PEOPLE SHOULD MAKE JUDGEMENTS OF YOU , AND CONDEMN YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO ? GET A LIFE PEOPLE ,AND LEAVE OTHERS ALONE. LOOK AROUND AT YOUR LIFE AND YOUR FAMILIES .I AM SURE THERE IS SOME HOUSE CLEANING YOU COULD DO TO MAKE THINGS BETTER FOR YOURSELF . TAKE A GOOD LONG HARD LOOK IN A MIRROR .PUT YOUR LIFE UNDER A MICROSCOPE AND TELL US, DO YOU THINK IT WOULD PASS CLOSE INSPECTION ? AGAIN, BEING GAY IS NOT A LIFE STYLE OR A CHOICE . NO ONE WOULD MAKE SUCH A CHOICE .
ONE MORE NOTE TO THIS STORY…………
WHEN THE F B I SEARCHED FARMERS VEHICLE WHEN THEY ARRESTED HIM , THEY FOUND A LARGE AMOUNT OF CASH IN AN ENVEOLPE. REPORTED TO BE AROUND $15,000.
SO APPARENTLY ( IN MY OPINION ) HE HAD DONE THIS TO ANOTHER PERSON AND GOT AWAY WITH THAT ONE . HE REFUSED TO TELL WHERE THE MONEY CAME FROM. FARMERS LAWYER WENT TO THE T V STATIONS AND NEWSPAPERS TO HELP RUIN KIRK TALLEYS LIFE AND CAREER, BECAUSE HIS CLIENT ASKED HIM TO . SO EITHER WAY, FARMER DIDNT GET TO KEEP THE MONEY FROM KIRK , BUT HE TOOK A WHOLE LOT MORE FROM HIM . YOU SHOULD KNOW MORE OF THE STORY BEFORE MAKING COMMENTS ON THINGS YOU DONT KNOW THE WHOLE STORY ABOUT .
Thank you for your comments, Robert. If you are a friend of Kirk’s, please let him know that there are many, many more who are standing with him than the loud-mouth folks standing against him. Many of us have been in similar situations, having had our private lives ripped apart and aired publicly for all to see and hear and wag their tongues about. It’s shameful what some folks do in the name of God. Tell Kirk to just hang in there and be steadfast, and ignore the fools who don’t have a clue.
(P.S. Writing in ALL CAPS comes across as SHOUTING and raises hostility.)
Cheers
Robert you mention that you and Kirk are friends. You also mention that Kirk is gay. This leads me to believe that at some point Kirk has confided this to you. Having said that, I wonder why Kirk has not chosen the path that Jason (of Jason and deMarco) has chosen. Jason was a member of the Assemblies of God denomination and a principal singer in the christian group TRUTH. When he revealed to his group that he was gay, he was immediately kicked out and shunned by the AoG. However, this did not discourage him. He moved to Los Angles met and fell in love with deMarco and now they have a dynamic singing ministry and they tour mainly the gay christian churches in the US. It seems like Kirk could do the same thing if he so desired. Just a point to consider.
My God, now there are people giving careers tips too!! what gave you the impression that Kirk needs your “good advice”.
The guy is struggling, that means he’s in conflict with himself, being a Christian, and being gay.
It’s not how to secure a steady income , but more how to get some peace with the ‘problem’at hand.
Money is to some people god (mamon)afterall.
Most of y’all ain’t helping, I tell ya’.
Auke (amsterdam holland)
Hey Kirk
I saw you today ,but I didn’t get a chance to say hello.Hope all is well.My Wife and I enjoy your music very much.
Tom
Many of us who have been born gay and trying to live a life in the non/gay christian world, struggle every day. Please tell Kirk that this is not his choice, i’m sure he knows that. Also I firmly believe that i have been saved and will be in heaven some day. We all have that assurance. Kirk’s public situation is a great help to many gay Christians that have are still in the closet. I pray for Kirk and encourage him in his ministry. God gives gifts to all of us regardless of orientation
How does Kirk’s situation help other gay Christians if he is not out? So far it sounds like he is either denying he is gay, or pretending he’s been ‘cured’ or ‘healed’ or whatever. It doesn’t sound like he’s saying you can be a christian and still be gay. I’ve not heard his testimony, not attended his concerts, but reading his newsletters, I don’t get the idea that he is helping gay Christians at all, but rather just the opposite, buying into the notion that being gay is somethng to be ashamed of, repented of, and turned away from.
We saw your concert at “The Choice” tonight in Gadsden, AL. ALL I can say is you blessed us with your testimony and what a wonderful delite it is to see you still carrying the gospel and going on for GOD in spite of those who continually judge and try to bring everyone else down so they can continue to think that in their infinite wisdom that they know everything and continue to judge even though it is brought out in the bible that they are not qualified to judge. Its such a shame that they too will be judged!
You blessed our souls and I hope you are around this area again in concert.
Everyone loves the versus “Judge not lest ye be judged” but no one seems to throw up “JUDGE RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT” which is also in the Bible. Nor do they mention that God refers to the soddomy lifestyle as an “abomination” and an “error.” Nor do they bring up “ye shall know a tree by the fruit it bears” or “many shall say Lord, Lord” but not be of Him. I guess that’s why there’s a million new versions – you can just pick and choose what you want. If he has repented of the sin of soddomy before God, then he is forgiven as forgiven can be. I’m just sick of hearing “don’t judge” when the Bible gives CLEAR stipulations on how to judge!
Well I’m going to Judge your spelling.
At least I can spell SODOMY.
As far as “ye shall know a tree by the fruit it bears”……I’ll judge all the gay hating red states by their divorce rates.
I have banned Judge for the following reasons:
1. Off-topic posting
2. Blanket stereotypes and accusations
3. Disruptive behavior — the topic of this web site is exgays, not gays.
The Bible says nothing about a sodomy “lifestyle,” and Judge’s broad and haughty pre-judgment of others is a sin condemned throughout the New Testament.
People, I am a Youth pastor, and I had Kirk Talley at my church, He did share the story that all of us know. I know kirks hurts, (Not personally but just what he said) I do not support Homosexuality But at the same time I am not Kicking Kirk down ether. I Love Him with the Love Of Christ. However I am sorry, we are Not Born with a sexual preference. We are not born Gay. We are born with legs arms and heads but not preferences. Those are learned.
God’s infallible word speaks against Homosexuality. There for you can not be a Gay Christian. That is an oxymoron. Now please do not think of me as a homosexual hater. That is not the case. I am simply sharing what is truth in God’s word. I do pray for my new friend Kirk. My God bless you and keep you.
Thank you
Danny