Fans are heartbroken after YouTuber Lohanthony posted a video preaching Christianity and seemingly denouncing homosexuality.
In the video, Lohanthony, whose real name is Anthony Quintal, says he was “decade long search for gay love that would ultimately end with disappointment … a void, which was later filled by Jesus Christ.” The video is in stark contrast to the ones he used to post, leaving many to speculate whether he is a victim of conversion therapy.
At the beginning of the almost 42-minute-long video, titled “Jesus delivers – Surviving Sexuality,” Lohanthony asks for the “spirit of Jesus” to guide him because it’s “the hardest video” he’s ever had to make. He reveals the sexual assault and trauma he’s suffered, including being sexually abused by an “older boy” when he was a child.
Lohanthony devolves into seemingly denouncing homosexuality, saying that through the pursuance of his same-sex attraction, he was “trying to fit a circle into a square, trying to find God’s love in all these other things.”
“It’s no coincidence that through pursuing my same-sex attraction, I was also addicted to alcohol, I was also addicted to weed, I was also trying hallucinogenics, I was also addicted to money, I was addicted to views, I was addicted to attention,” he adds.
He says that he will now be practicing “Christian celibacy.”
“The holy spirit received me fully and changed me entirely into who God originally intended me to be: free from sin, held by forgiveness, and guided by his pure goodness, guided by God’s love,” he says.
The video was eventually re-uploaded to Twitter, where it alarmed former fans. “This lohanthony situation is horrifying i hope hes okay,” one user wrote.
“This lohanthony situation is quite sad actually,” another said.
Many began questioning if Lohanthony went through conversion therapy. “Okay i know nobody cares but this lohanthony situation is making me bawl. i grew up watching him & this whole situation is awful. conversion therapy is mentally & physically abusive. the fact that he had to go through that. i feel so bad for him. to hear a person that helped me come to terms with my sexuality when i was very young hurts. i really hope he gets the help he needs,” one user wrote.
Some took issue with him seemingly “linking homosexuality to a consequence of sexual abuse.”
Others felt that Lohanthony “returning” to the mainstream to preach Christianity and seemingly denounce homosexuality is too shocking for even 2020. “Lohanthony preaching conversion therapy and telling us homosexuality is wrong was not on my 2020 bingo card,” one wrote.
Many begged critics to refrain from sending Lohanthony hate and to show him empathy instead. “The lohanthony situation is very sad & kinda scary and sending him hate or negativity rn is very weird,” @ItsZaeOk wrote.
Lohanthony has yet to respond to fan concerns.
If you are a victim or survivor of sexual harassment or want more information on sexual harassment and resources, contact RAINN online or at 800.656.HOPE (4673).
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