Albert Nabonibo Tried to ‘Change’, but such efforts never work and cause great harm
PHILADELPHIA – Truth Wins Out praised Rwandan gospel singer Albert Nabonibo for coming out as gay in an interview with a 
Christian YouTube channel. Reuters reports that he had been “flooded with insults from fans, shunned by friends and asked to leave his job….yet despite the backlash, the 35-year-old does not regret his decision to go public about his sexuality.”
“Albert Nabonibo showed true courage and should be applauded for putting himself on the line to help create a better society,” said Truth Wins Out Executive Director Wayne Besen. “His personal sacrifice will save lives and create the conditions for more honest and open discussions in Rwanda and beyond.”
According to Reuters, Nabonibo has released eight gospel songs since 2012. He has been inundated with hate on social media, with people telling him he was “cursed” and “sinful”.
Like many LGBT people who are raised in oppressive environments, Nabonibo tried to change his sexual orientation. Reuters reports that he knew from early adolescence that he was gay, but as a member of the Pentecostal church he had struggled to reconcile his faith with his sexuality. “Some church pastors say you can pray for anything, but I tried to control myself but there was no change,” he said. “The church, they will accept me or not – but what I am sure is that inside the church there are people like me.”
“Nabonibo is correct that if one lives a lie, they will emotionally and spiritually die,” said TWO’s Besen. “’Ex-gay’ propaganda is so dangerous – because it strips people of their basic humanity and demands they live as someone they are not. Most people find that coming out as LGBT is the real cure they have been seeking.”
Founded in 2006, Truth Wins Out is a nonprofit think tank and advocacy organization that fights against right wing extremism, the “ex-gay” myth and anti-LGBT prejudice and discrimination.
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