LGBTQ, Gay Spirituality, Love Relationships
Hounded by God: A Gay Man's Journey to Self-Acceptance, Love, and Relationship
In Hounded by God, the author chronicles his struggle to reconcile his homosexuality with his Catholic-Christian beliefs. Born in 1948, he grew up during a time when homosexuality was viewed as a mental illness or sin. In 1968, he had his first homosexual experience and spent over six years in therapy trying to repress his feelings. Raised a strict Roman Catholic, he confessed his “sins” and attended Mass daily, feeling hopeless about his identity. By 1974, he realized therapy wouldn’t change his orientation and felt desperate.
Gradually, he felt God urging him to accept his gay identity and believe in God’s love for him as he is. His journal documents his journey to live authentically as a gay man, in relationship with his spouse and with God, and to share his experience with others facing similar struggles.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Joseph Gentilini
Joseph Gentilini and his spouse, Leo Radel, were both born in Columbus, Ohio; Joe in 1948 and Leo in 1950. Ironically, they both attended the same Catholic elementary school, although they did not know each other then. Joseph always wanted to be in a career that involved helping others. He earned his undergraduate degree in 1970 from the Ohio Dominican College (now University) in social welfare.
Beginning his career as an employee of the State of Ohio, he worked as a vocational rehabilitation counselor, helping persons with severe disabilities to become more independent with the goal of 1 competitive employment. He obtained his Master’s degree from The Ohio State University in 1974 in counseling and guidance. Joseph worked for another four years and then took an educational leave-ofabsence for two years to complete his doctoral coursework in community counseling at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. He returned to work for the state and completed his dissertation at night, finally graduating in 1982 with his PhD. Joseph is an Ohio Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, a licensed Social Worker, and a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.
n 2003, Joseph retired from state employment and Leo from the United States Postal Service. Leo was married for twelve years and has three children, all now adults. Joseph and Leo enjoy and love them and their grandchildren. They are members of DignityUSA, an organization for gay Catholics.
