Most of you Seventh-day Adventist church members are familiar with the male student (Austin Bates) who began dressing like a woman at our Southern Adventist University. If you are not, here’s a timeline:
In 2021 he claimed to be ‘non-binary’ (whatever that is)
He describes himself as: “Queer filmmaker. Absurd. A little mentally ill” on his Twitter page.
In January 2022, he ‘came out’ as a transgender woman
On February 7th, he recorded himself in an online video, complaining that Southern University was requiring him to wear male clothing and meet with a university representative to discuss his future. He claimed to be oppressed and sought sympathy from online supporters.
He contacted the ACLU to see if they would help him in his conflict with the University’s biblical standard of requiring women to dress like women and men to dress like men. The ACLU eventually refused to take the case, fearing that the legal climate in Tennessee was not conducive to transgender complaints. In other words, they thought they would lose the case and didn’t want to set a precedent.
On February 16, he posted a video of himself weeping on his TikTok page. It appeared designed to gather sympathy from viewers.
On the same day he tried to dox Fulcrum7 and myself. We received a number of nasty messages from his social justice hordes, including threats of violence and one fellow who suggested that I should be killed. Lacking truth from God and internal peace, this is what they do.
Two days ago, he announced that he is moving to Walla Walla, WA. He said that he lost his job at Southern University and his conference educational subsidy (small wonder for drawing them into an embarrassing public scene of his own making).
He accused Southern University of being "a “toxic and harmful environment.” We affirm Southern for their commitment to biblical sexuality and distinctions.
Austin’s parents are committed Seventh-day Adventist members, who have endured much in this ordeal. Pray that the Lord would speak peace and wisdom to their hearts, and truth to their son’s heart.
Austin, this is for you. You are going to hit a wall in this road you are on. It’s inevitable. When you are in Washington and need a listening ear, look up Wayne Blakely sometime. He has been down this road before, and has some good insights to share regarding gender dysphoria. Wayne can be reached at Know His Love Ministries.
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“This kind comes out only by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21).