……but this one isn't a part of the “It Gets Better” campaign, nor is it posted on the “It Gets Better” youtube video channel. This one comes to us via livestream.

This is no ordinary video however. It is a very heartfelt, one hour, fourteen minute and fifty five second video by a 52 year old man, who has been married twice and has four children, two from each marriage. His second wife is his best friend, and all of his children have been very supportive of him. 

What makes his video special? Let me just say, the man has never made any derogatory comments toward any group of people. His second wife knew going into the marriage that he was gay, and according to both of their accounts they were very much in love, but for the very high majority of their 21 year marriage they lived much like Will and Grace. 

There was no “secret affair.” They remained monogamous to their relationship. But his wife decided it was time to stop living a lie (in the marriage) when she filed for divorce a year and a half ago

(The name – with photograph – is revealed below the fold)

Have any of you guessed who I'm talking about? Well, this person is a Bishop of the all inclusive Conyers, GA Church of the Now megachurch. He is none other than Bishop Jim Earl Swilley.

I just got done watching all 1:14:55 of the video, and to be quite honest, it was one of the best “coming out” stories I have heard, or witnessed, in a very long time. He took on the Biblical myths of Leviticus (and the picking and choosing of such verses,) he took on the myth of Sodom and Gomorrah, and put Romans I into perspective. 

While he had a few congregants walk out, a lot more remained and showed him and his family, the love, the acceptance, the compassion and the true meaning of what being a Christian should be about rather than the vitriol that is spewed from the pulpits of other megachurches (here's looking to you Rick Warren.)

Here is the news report that took place after his coming out. He said he came out to help prevent more teen suicides. He said, “I know all the hateful stuff that's being written about me online, whatever. To think about saving a teenager yeah, I'll risk my reputation for that.”

Swilley also implied that there are a lot of preachers out there who are gay, whether they admit it or not and that they know who they are. Hmmmmm, I wonder who he's talking about…..*cough* Joel Osteen *cough*