Son of an elder: “I suppressed my authentic self to feel accepted by the JW organization.”

Job knew at an early age he was gay. He grew up in a very active Jehovah’s Witness family. His father was an elder, his mom and sister served as pioneers, and a brother that served at Bethal. He was pressured into getting baptized by his mom, who said if he chose not to, he would no longer be considered part of the family. That was when he was 12 years old. He got baptized at 16.

At 18, he had his first experience with a man. He told his father and mother, who were appalled. They made him speak to the elders, and he ended up getting publicly reproved. He went on to suppress his authenticity and wanted to prove to his parents and the organization that he can suppress himself and not act on his desires. He went on to become a regular pioneer, only to encounter shingles when he was 20!

Job shares how he left the organization, formed an exJW support group shortly after, and how he is finally living his authentic life.