âCompellingâŚeloquent and compassionateâŚWe learn as much about growing up in the Christian right as we do about gay life in Mel Whiteâs heartfelt and revealing memoir.â âSan Francisco Examiner
Until Christmas Eve 1991, Mel White was regarded by the leaders of the religious right as one of their most talented and productive supporters. He penned the speeches of Oliver North. He was a ghostwriter for Jerry Falwell, worked with Jim Bakker, flew in Pat Robertsonâs private jet, walked sandy beaches with Billy Graham. What these men didnât know was that Mel Whiteâevangelical minister, committed Christian, family manâwas gay.
âAn engrossing journey to unite sexuality with faithâ (Dallas Morning News), Stranger at the Gate details Mel Whiteâs twenty-five years of being counseled, exorcised, electric-shocked, prayed for, and nearly driven to suicide because his church said homosexuality was wrong. But his salvationâto be openly gay and Christianâis more than a unique coming-out story. It is a chilling exposĂŠ that goes right into the secret meetings and hidden agendas of the religious right. Told by an eyewitness and sure to anger those Mel White once knew best, Stranger at the Gate is a warning about where the politics of hate may lead AmericaâŚan important book by a brave man whose words can make us both richer in spirit and much wiser too.