After renouncing anti-LGBT beliefs, evangelical author marches at Pride
Evangelical author Joshua Harris took part in the Vancouver Pride parade after renouncing his anti-LGBT beliefs. (Getty/Instagram)
Ex-evangelical author Joshua Harris has marched at Vancouver Pride, after leaving his wife, renouncing his faith and apologising for his anti-LGBT beliefs.
Harris, the author of 1997 evangelical ‘purity’ book I Kissed Dating Goodbye, uploaded photos from the Pride parade to his Instagram Story on August 4, a week after announcing he had renounced his past views.
Evangelical author marches at Vancouver Pride
Donning a a shirt from the British government’s “Love is Great” campaign, he wrote: “An American in Canada marching with the British Consulate in the Pride Parade.”
He also posted a selfie with Everyday Sunday singer Trey Pearson and Queerology podcast host Matthias Roberts, both of whom have spoken about faith and LGBT+ rights.
Joshua Harris posted a selfie with Everyday Sunday singer Trey Pearson and Queerology podcast host Matthias Roberts (Instagram)
Harris wrote: “Enjoyed swapping stories, gentlemen!”
Pearson’s band was barred from performing at Christian rock festivals after the singer came out as gay.
Joshua Harris is sorry for his past beliefs about LGBT+ people
The author, who is influential in evangelical circles, announced on July 18 that he and his wife were separating after 21 years of marriage, saying “significant changes have taken place in both of us.”
He wrote: “I have lived in repentance for the past several years – repenting of my self-righteousness, my fear-based approach to life, the teaching of my books, my views of women in the church, and my approach to parenting to name a few.
“But I specifically want to add to this list now: to the LGBTQ+ community, I want to say that I am sorry for the views that I taught in my books and as a pastor regarding sexuality.
“I regret standing against marriage equality, for not affirming you and your place in the church, and for any ways that my writing and speaking contributed to a culture of exclusion and bigotry. I hope you can forgive me.”
He added: “By all the measurements that I have for defining a Christian, I am not a Christian. Many people tell me that there is a different way to practise faith and I want to remain open to this, but I’m not there now.”
Harris had previously disowned his bestselling book, saying: “I no longer agree with its central idea that dating should be avoided. I now think dating can be a healthy part of a person developing relationally and learning the qualities that matter most in a partner.
“To those who read my book and were misdirected or unhelpfully influenced by it, I am sincerely sorry.”
