Every now and again we highlight “ex-gay” activists who disappear from the scene. One such individual is Mike Ensley, who was laid off from Exodus in 2008. For those who do not remember, Ensley was the group’s “Youth Analyst”, with the insidious role of brainwashing young people.
He has now reinvented himself as an Orlando-area photographer named “Philip Michael” with a penchant for homoerotic art house photos — particularly focusing on tanned musclemen. (Ensley Photo below)
Here is what he said in his bio:
“I’m a freelance artist living in Central Florida. I discovered my passion for photography several years ago on a road trip across the United States. Since then the train has never stopped rolling.”
No
words in the bio about the youth preyed on and harmed by telling them that they were sick, sinful, and could pray away the gay?
I called Ensley to ask how he was doing and to see if he was still pretending to be straight. He began stuttering and said, “I have nothing to say to you” before he hung up the telephone.I had hoped to get an update on his lifestyle, but I guess he had no interest in discussing the good ole’ days at Exodus.
In any case, Mike, when you are ready to come out of your closet, we are here to help you. A picture may be worth a thousand words. Perhaps, a hot homoerotic photo is worth 2,500 words. But, true freedom as an openly gay person is priceless.
Apparently, Mr. Ensley’s into playing make believe. First Exodus International, and now this. It seems someone likes living in a fantasy world.
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Well judging from his photo of “Paolo” I’m guessing he’s on the right path.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mensley/5520279011/in/photostream
Comment by Scott — April 13, 2011 @ 4:56 pm
I think the first time some friends of mine back in high school became certain about me, even before I was certain about myself, was when a couple of them got into my sketch book when I’d walked away from the desk in my senior art class. I’ll never forget the look on one guy’s face when I came back and saw them flipping through the pages. Nothing even remotely pornographic in any of it, but it was abundantly clear looking at the sketches that I liked guys. It flustered me because I wasn’t ready yet to see that in myself. I wasn’t ready yet to be that honest with myself. But it was there in my art, for everyone to see.
Thing about putting your artwork out there…unless you’ve sold your soul for money or politics, then what you put out there is going to be brutally honest about what your innermost self is made of and the entire world is going to see it even if you don’t. Eventually, maybe the artist will too, but not always. It took me a while, but in my defense I was only 17 and it was 1971.
Comment by Bruce Garrett — April 13, 2011 @ 5:29 pm
Oh, cut him a break. He just took these as an alternative to the pharmaceuticals he’d otherwise have to enlist to impregnate his future wife.
Comment by S. Collider — April 13, 2011 @ 5:30 pm
Great work Wayne. I suspect Mike/Philip doesn’t need any help in coming out of the closet and has had no problem sampling the male specimens/clients whom he photographs.
Comment by Curtis — April 13, 2011 @ 5:33 pm
The closet is indeed the issue, as always.
If he were living an openly homosexual lifestyle, and had repudiated his former openly ex-gay-for-pay lifestyle, why would he have problems telling wayne about it?
If, on the other hand, he had any hopes of his former good friends not knowing what he was pseudonomynously doing now, which is taking homoerotic photos of men, that may no longer be a possibility.
This is the perfect illustration why outing is not the moral issue so many people make it out to be. What every out gay person knows: you stick your little finger out of the closet, you are taking the chance that people will find out you’re a Big Ol’ Fag. There is no safety even in getting a blow job in the mens room down at the Kwikeemart, becuase the blowee could well be a cop or a parishioner.
The ONLY safety is to remain totally in the closet, no one knows, not your wife, not your employer, not your family.
And if you are REALLY lucky, not even you.
Comment by Ben in Oakland — April 13, 2011 @ 5:56 pm
BTW, in his photos he mentions he has a “roommate”.
Comment by Curtis — April 13, 2011 @ 6:09 pm
As a former ex-gay, I feel sorry for the man. Living in the closet is a wretched life.
Comment by Judd — April 13, 2011 @ 6:16 pm
I saw these photos weeks ago but decided not to gloat about anything because he needs time and space to find himself. Plus, he also has erotic shots of women on his site. Seems like if the money’s good he’s equal-opportunity.
And for the record, if you flip through THIS queer artist’s sketchbooks, you probably couldn’t tell if I was gay, straight, bisexual, or CRAZY.
Leave the guy alone. I won’t consider him to be gay unless he comes out and says “i’m gay.”
John Paulk IS still married to his “ex-lesbian” wife, yes?
Comment by Emily K — April 13, 2011 @ 6:56 pm
Sorry, Emily….I disagree. You should have run with the story. Big editorial mistake not to, as it is now on our site. I’m glad it is.
This is very newsworthy as it goes against everything Exodus teaches. Surely, you must know that. Can you point to any part of their program that would allow for erotic pictures — whether male or female — to be taken? Didn’t think so.
In terms of Paulk being married? Your point? Anyone can get married and stay married — it is easy easy as paying a traffic ticket. Am I supposed to be impressed?
Finally, I am proud to “gloat”. I was just reviewing an old video of Ensley the other day — and his evil message to youth. It is important that the young people who were harmed by his lie know that he is in the biz of homoerotic photos (some in Exodus would call it smut or soft porn, no doubt).
I suggest you go back and watch Ensly’s old videos. You appear to have amnesia to the damage that he has done.
Comment by Wayne Besen — April 13, 2011 @ 7:12 pm
Emily said “if you flip through THIS queer artist’s sketchbooks, you probably couldn’t tell if I was gay, straight, bisexual, or CRAZY.”.
Oh, that’s way too easy.
Comment by Priya Lynn — April 13, 2011 @ 7:40 pm
Wayne, here I’ll disagree with you sharply. You can’t badger people into coming out. In fact the tactic you’re employing with him – mocking him when he’s probably most sensitive; when he’s between two worlds (sexual honesty and denial) – is NOT the right way to endear him to the space outside of the closet.
I’m glad it’s on your site and not the one I write for. It would have done nothing for us except show a catty, vindictive streak.
Comment by Emily K — April 13, 2011 @ 7:45 pm
“I won’t consider him to be gay unless he comes out and says ‘i’m gay.’”
Because gay is such a horrible thing to consider someone, you wouldn’t dare utter such an obscenity? If that’s not it, maybe you’re just being super-ultra-mega polite in some cryptic, careful way — by not assuming anything about someone, no matter how obvious?
I got you beat: I won’t consider him to be male unless he comes out and says “I’m male”. Or human, unless he comes out and says “I’m human”. Or living under an alias unless he comes out and says “I’m living under an alias”. Or dark-haired and pointy-nosed unless he comes out and says “I have dark hair and a pointy nose”.
Top that, Emily K!
As to whether you’re “gay, straight, bisexual or CRAZY”, I know which one I’m leaning towards — but of course I would never consider you that unless you come out and say it.
Comment by ohplease — April 13, 2011 @ 7:57 pm
Well he has a good eye for photographing attractive men. If he’s keeping a low profile and slowly working things out for himself, okay good enough. Yet if he’s still working for ex-gay groups touting their BS than nailing him for such apparent hypocrisy is appropriate.
Comment by John — April 13, 2011 @ 7:58 pm
Btw, I like your site Bruce Garrett. Hope you update your “Coming Out” strip soon.
Comment by John — April 13, 2011 @ 7:59 pm
“…is NOT the right way to endear him to the space outside of the closet.”
How the hell cares about endearing this creep to anything? He’s a monster who’s trying to deny he’s a monster. Too bad for him.
You care about a monster? Too bad for you.
Comment by ohplease — April 13, 2011 @ 8:02 pm
Orlando based? I wonder if he ever runs into Alan Chambers
Comment by emma — April 13, 2011 @ 8:05 pm
Emily:
It’s not my job to endear Mr. Ensly to anything. Nor is it yours. Our job is to expose the hypocrisy and consumer fraud these groups perpetrate on innocent victims — particularly youth, a demographic which Mr. Ensley specialized in brainwashing.
If/when Ensley comes out of his closet it will be because he is a gay man who wants to live honestly — not because I was allegedly catty or you endeared him to the LGBT community.
With all due respect, it is perplexing why you keep infantilizing a grown man who has to take responsibility for his own actions. This is not a child, Emily. This is not some 15 year old kid. He will come out — because that what adults do. Not because you made a poor editorial decision.
If Mr. Ensley is lusting after his models during his homoerotic photo shoots — he should apologize to those he has harmed. This is a matter of conscience. When he acknowledges the damage he has done, then we will no longer see stories such as this. Until this day occurs, we will focus on the seemingly gay career choices of Mr. Ensley.
Finally, if you have any more great stories that you want to pass up — particularly that involve so-called “ex-gays” and models — please send them our way. We will be thrilled to report on it. We consider exposing such hypocrisy, or in this case an obvious conflict of interest, our duty and hard news.
Comment by Wayne Besen — April 13, 2011 @ 8:33 pm
Emily: How dare you chastise Wayne for his work here? You are making wonderful arguments…for Ensley’s therapist. Wayne’s job, however, is to expose the lie, to report, and to provide a record of truths aimed at future potential victims of future potential Michael Ensleys. Stay in your lane.
Comment by Joel — April 13, 2011 @ 9:38 pm
Welcome to karma, Mike. You might want to get comfortable… something tells me you’ll be here awhile.
My friend would say hi too, but he killed himself. Remember?
Comment by PaybacksAButch — April 13, 2011 @ 10:45 pm
“Wayne, here I’ll disagree with you sharply. You can’t badger people into coming out.”
Are you kidding? Of course you can and it’s been done many many times. Countless closeted Republicans like Jim Kolbe specifically said that being outed was the best thing that ever happened to them. On the other hand, demonizing glbt youth and priming them for suicide as Ensley did is always inexcusable.
Comment by Curtis — April 14, 2011 @ 6:18 am
BTW, I just checked his homoerotic portfolio again (which Wayne links to at the top) and Ensley has erased it all. Hmmm …
Comment by Curtis — April 14, 2011 @ 6:24 am
Actually not erased, just tag “muscle” removed. Pics still there under Fashion/Model.
Comment by Brian — April 14, 2011 @ 6:54 am
That last pic is for LOLZ. Quick question: if I take a bike helmet, and glue 3 upside-down laundry detergent cups to the top of it, spray paint it blue, and wear it on my shoulder, will that protect me from being gay?
Comment by Joel — April 14, 2011 @ 7:17 am
Wayne-
Good work. This fella reminds me of my days in the exgay world… working hard to be a beacon of light for those struggling, while cruising men at Piedmont Park on the weekends (Starbucks on the weeknights)! Hypocrisy is the issue here and the closet walls often have huge windows in them.
-JOE ATL
Comment by Joe — April 14, 2011 @ 9:01 am
In all seriousness, it seems to me that while Emily sounds as though she has a very good heart, and a lot of compassion for anyone struggling with the closet, she fails to address the public/activist role that Ensley decided to play. That role entered him into an arena of public debate–whether it might have been someone at one of his meetings asking a tough question, or a local paper or blogger covering a meeting, or TWO tracking his efforts.
Again, the role Wayne is playing here is a solid and much-needed one. Emily may take her words of compassion and protection and direct them to Ensley via email or a phone call. If you’re that concerned about Ensley on a personal level, Emily, why aren’t you directing your energies and time in his direction, instead of Wayne’s?
In the meantime, Wayne is tracking the consumer fraud that is the “Ex-Gay” movement. That movement isn’t made up of websites or sheets of paper or brochures, it is made up of advocates and activists. Wayne is shining the disinfectant of sunlight upon them. If the glare hurts for a while for any of them, it pales in comparison to the magnification of hurt they created within every person they snagged during their efforts.
Shut ‘em down, Wayne.
Comment by Joel — April 14, 2011 @ 9:09 am
I always wondered what happened to him! To me, he always just seemed like another victim, and I always hoped that he would find his way out of that ex-gay mental prison that he’d locked himself into. Didn’t he hook up with Exodus when he was really young? 19 or 20 or so? We all do stupid things when we’re that age. I, for one, am willing to let bygones be bygones and cheer him and Pablo as they wave to the crowd from atop a marabou-trimmed float equipped with a bubble machine that lathers up their Speedos into wedgie-inducing wad of overstressed nylon.
Seriously, this guy could undo a lot of the damage that ex-gay ministries have caused if he would come out and speak out about his own experiences. But that’s not going to happen if we as a community decide that we’re going to shun him.
Comment by kurt_t — April 14, 2011 @ 1:12 pm
I had wondered what happened to him after the layoffs. I REALLY wonder what has happened to Melissa Fryrear. Does anybody know? Supposedly, she left FOF to focus on speaking opportunities, but I can’t find anything about her. She must be speaking to really small crowds.
Comment by Jack — April 14, 2011 @ 1:24 pm
Kurt:
If Ensley elects to come out he will be supported. I agree with you. Unfortunately, we have a situation where he has not come out or lifted a finger to undo the damage. As it stands, we have a bizarre situation where he presumably is still doing the “ex-gay” shtick, while making a partial living by photographing tanned and oiled homosexual musclemen.
Taking such pictures is a gross violation of Exodus guidelines. Remember, their program is all about changing sexual behavior by avoiding temptations. Whatever his behavior, Ensley is obviously not doing so well with the temptations part. Indeed, he has knowingly and willingly placed himself in the company of men that appear significantly more attractive than men in the general population.
This could simply be a coincidence. But, I doubt it.
Comment by Wayne Besen — April 14, 2011 @ 1:40 pm
Well you know, Wayne, in the ex-gay milieu, there’s always been that thin line between “healthy authentic male interaction” and “sweaty shirtless guy-on-guy action.” I used to read this ex-gay blog where this one dude professed to be overcoming his “unwanted same sex attraction” by falling in love with a burly married man and showering with him. If you don’t believe me, I’ll go look up the url. As for Mike, give him some time. I’ll bet you a Princess Breakfast at Cinderella’s Castle you end up interviewing him for your next book.
Comment by kurt_t — April 14, 2011 @ 2:56 pm
[...] side include photographing homoerotic smut? If so, former Exodus staffer Mike Ensley could help him get back on his [...]
Pingback by Truth Wins Out - Exodus Downsizes Randy Thomas From VP to Part-Time Blogger; Boss Alan Chambers Calls It A ‘New Season’ For Thomas — April 19, 2011 @ 11:08 pm
Well, hopefully one of his CUUUTE model friends will hear about this and some productive discussions will ensue. Meanwhile… DAMN, nice photos! He’s talented. I’ll bet he finds his heart sooner or later, maybe when someone picks it up and hands it to him, like some future boy will certainly do. Here is his fan page he listed:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Philip-Michael-Photography/129442137067122
(hmm, “SUBS” ?? hmmmm……. ;)
Comment by Peter the saint — April 20, 2011 @ 12:12 am
Ensley’s photos remind me of all the hot shirtless male waiters that used to be on John Paulk’s catering site.
Comment by Rick — April 20, 2011 @ 10:21 am
That’s true Rick. These so-called ex-gays like to set up situations where they can window shop, until they are at a point to bust out the credit card and buy the store.
Comment by Wayne Besen — April 20, 2011 @ 10:43 am
LOL, that’s funny Wayne. You and your words… so when are u gonna write book or sumthin?? ;) Or have u already been compiling a compilation…
Comment by Peter the saint — April 20, 2011 @ 3:03 pm
Congratulations for this report. Again, an “ex gay” is in trouble. I had read the site of Exodus International, and yes, they say something like: “you have to avoid the homosexual temptations”. But this is the case when an “ex gay” activist who received a salary as a “youth counselor” (or whatever) from Exodus, became unemployed, and then, he became a photographer of handsome, muscular, young, almost nude, “models”. WHY he didn´t made photographs from another subjects? WHY young and goodlooking males? “Models”, not “temptations”, you can read in his flickr site. Aha.
Comment by Hernan. — April 23, 2011 @ 12:40 am
I find it quite interesting that the link provided to view Michael Philip’s photostream with the tag “Muscle” now produces NO results. Is this young man so naive as to believe he can just cover his Internet tracks that easily? I hope he finds some help soon. A life is a terrible thing to waste.
Margie
Comment by Margie — May 17, 2011 @ 4:05 pm
Looks like he isn’t far off from coming out… Take a peek at this photo from his collection and tell me what you see:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mensley/5475858908/in/photostream/lightbox/
I see the four muscle men spelling YMCA; how precious. ;)
Comment by John Hosty-Grinnell — May 18, 2011 @ 3:48 pm
[...] So, it appears that he isn’t making much of a splash. Maybe he is photographing gay art-house homo erotica like Mike Ensley? Tags: Alan Chambers, Exodus, Mike Ensley, Randy [...]
Pingback by Truth Wins Out - Exodus: Get Over it and Move on Already — August 11, 2011 @ 10:17 am
This saddened me. I don’t believe that whether a persons is gay, straight, or bisexual that it is important enough to discuss. It is a personal decision. As for his “past life”, who are any of
you to judge? Do you know his family life or what or how he was brought up? Were you there every moment of his upbringing? If you think that this “blog” is away to expose the darkside of this man, then in my opinion you are not any better than he was.
Comment by jj — March 12, 2012 @ 10:14 am