So, our old buddy Ted Haggard has been in the news once again. Nearly two years ago, he was ousted from his position (sorry) at New Life Church in Colorado Springs, CO for having a same-sex affair with a man from Denver. At the time, he was sent off by his then-former church to a “rehabilitation center”; which he said at the time wasn’t really necessary because, of course, he wasn’t gay.

Back then, Susie Bright started a little game/charity event that she called “Bet on Ted”. Basically, it was a betting pool for the date when Ted Haggard would come out of his tightly-closed hypocrite’s closet once and for all. The money was to go to the winner; if nobody won, the money would go to Ms. Bright’s charity of choice, LYRIC in San Francisco. LYRIC is a support organization for LGBTQQ youth, and it’s by all accounts a great one.

This past week, amid the media circus over the HBO documentary about Haggard (deliberately not linking – he needs no more publicity than he’s already gotten here) another person came forward to talk about his relationship with Haggard. At the time, the young man in question was a minor, so this one is a little more…problematic. Oh, and there’s the little question of the hush money paid out by New Life Church to keep this person quiet.

Haggard now says that his sexuality is “complex”. Well, good for you, Mr. Haggard. Lots of people’s sexuality is complex. Even the people who you condemned at your pulpit, over and over again, without the slightest bit of shame. But I’m digressing.

A couple of days ago, Susie declared an end to the pool. Since nobody picked a date so far out in space, those of us who participated are sending out $5USD to her on LYRIC’s behalf (she’s sending out one huge check). I’m sending a check when Evil Dad gets paid this week, in fact. If you’d like to join me, I’m sure they would appreciate it deeply.