Who We Are

Christine Bakke-O'Neill  Co-Founder and Co-Facilitator  More about Christine below

Dr. Jallen Rix  Co-Facilitator  More Jallen!

Gail Dickert  Co-Facilitator  Learn more about Gail

Dr. Jallen Rix

 Co-Facilitator

Some random facts and trivia about Jallen

• While attending a christian college (a long, long time ago) I snuck off to a weekly ex-gay group over the course of eight months to become straight... and failed.
• I’m a comic book geek, buying 3 to 12 comics a week.
• Lima beans were so revolting to me when I was a kid I would smuggle them out of my mouth and onto a hidden ledge under the family table. They still turn my tummy, though I eat most everything else.
• For most of my life, I avoided costume parties because there was no fun in pretending to be someone else when I felt like I was doing that 24/7. No that I am my thoroughly authentic self, I’m pert’ darn good at making my own costumes and I love dressing up!
• My BA is in music composition. For more than a decade I was a full-time, singer/songwriter, and the most popular, male “christian singer” appearing in UFMCCs. Check out my “out” recordings on itunes or watch my music videos on YouTube.
  
• I have attended Burning Man more than a dozen times. It’s a 10 day arts festival, experimental community, rave party, and mad max movie all rolled into one.
• Dancing was believed to be a sin growing up. Now, I love to dance, especially slow dancing with a special someone.
• When recently asked if I was a christian, I responded with, “I am a follower of the teachings of Jesus. I don’t think most christians today would be comfortable calling me a christian.... hmmm, what’s wrong with that picture?”
• My ex-gay experience ultimately lead me to getting my doctorate of education in sexology.
• It’s frustrating when stores use the wrong letters for their websites, like KountryKitchenDotCom, or QuikMartDotOrg. Who can figure that out?
• If stream hiking was all I did for the rest of my life, I would be content.
• It took me three years to write my first book, Ex-Gay No Way and I was blessed to find a publisher within a year!

Gail Dickert

 Co-Facilitator

Some random facts and trivia about Gail

• I learned about ex-gay therapy when I was only 12 years old. Through “therapy” and “prayer” I learned that even good things can be used against us when in the hands of manipulative people. I tried to suppress my sexuality for over a decade. Almost killed me. It didn't though. Bonus.
• I’m a writer and spoken word artist... but also an introvert. Go figure.
• I'm self-taught on the guitar and used to lead worship groups in Bible College.
• I know a lot about goats.
• The only time I wear dresses is when I’m in costume. And I’m too old for costume parties!
• My B.S. is in Biblical Studies and Youth Ministry. I like to say I’m the only known lesbian to graduate from Cincinnati Bible College.
• In Bible College, I had an eyebrow ring. I was required to cover it with a bandaid for a leadership class. On the first day, I covered it with a large gauze that drew more attention to the tiny piercing. On the second day, a snoopy bandaid. On the third day, I dropped the class.
• I was in musicals growing up but preferred to be back stage with lights, props, costumes, special effects and sounds.
• I’m not a "Christian" because that would be too limiting for me these days. I am a “homospiritual” and you can learn more about what that means at my blog which is called For Gail So Loved the World.
• I want to be like Jallen and say that I have a doctorate in sexology.
• I watch “Ain’t Nobody Got Time Fo Dat” by Sweet Brown at least once a week.
• If I could ride my bike everywhere for the rest of my life, I would…
• I was an activist in 2004 when I wrote “Coming Out of the Closet without Coming Apart at the Seams” but survivor stories freaked out. I went away… in 2011, I rejoined the survivor movement. It’s a pleasure to be here. You guys amaze me!
• My new book is called “Enlightened-ish” and now I often add –ish to the end of everything I say… Hope you enjoy-ish my list.

Our history also includes Peterson Toscano, the co-founder of Beyond Ex-Gay.

While Peterson no longer participates at Beyond Ex-Gay (sometimes the best thing we can do for our healing is to move on), this organization and website, as well as much of the content, would not exist without him. He still loves us, and he still occasionally writes and speaks about the ex-gay movement, but he now gives very few interviews and can be contacted through his personal blog, A Musing, not through this website. Much of his story is detailed in articles on this site, through his blog, and his personal website, and is the best way to find out more about him.

Steve Boese

Steve Boese has provided our hosting, website architecture and behind-the-scenes stuff. We're not sure exactly what he does but we're sure glad he does it. The original Beyond Ex-Gay website would not exist without Steve.

 Joel Bass