The Story of Betty Desire

The story of Betty Desire is the true story of a young gay man’s tortuous journey through the right wing Christian conversion movement, and how he broke free to become a small town drag icon.

It begins with a twist of fate.  It's 1971, and a teenage Matt has just made the difficult decision to go home after school and tell his parents he’s gay.  But just before he leaves he encounters another student, a girl who tells him she’s just accepted Jesus and he’s cured her problem with drugs. 

For a kid who’s spent his life feeling different – he was born prematurely which caused his CP, he’s adopted, and on top of all that, he’s gay – the promise of miracles feels like – well – a miracle.  Maybe God can heal him of his difference.

Instead of coming out, Matt throws himself into the arms of the Jesus movement, which at first feels warm and friendly, even when they’re unable to pray his homosexuality away.

But when he moves into the mainstream Evangelical church that warmth rapidly chills; the ice of homophobia so deep and reputedly given of God, that orientation conversion or “cure” is the only salvation.   

Despairing, Matt endures 18 years of failed attempts to overcome his “demon,” before at last as he begins to share his struggle with a few friendly non-Pentecostals, some in the Narcotics Anonymous group that meets at his coffee shop.  Miraculously, they become guides on his new journey – throwing off the yoke of religious self-hate and coming out. 

In the process he creates Betty Desire, a drag persona which allows him in his journey to move beyond self- hate, beyond doubts and fears, and to become what he is now – a proud gay man who, both as Betty and as himself, is a beloved icon of his local community.