Who We Are

Co-Founder, Co-Facilitator

Photo of Christine

Some random facts and trivia about Christine Bakke

I spent over four years in an attempt to change my orientation, but re-came out to myself in 2003 (and have been re-coming out to others ever since).
I collect vintage wooden type (the wooden letters used in printing presses back in the day) and children's books (pop-up books and ones that have cool illustrations or unusual topics). Although not a children's book, my favorite pop-up book is The Pop-up Book of Phobias.
I've danced only twice in my life, including that one time in my living room when I sprained my toe while attempting to dance the can-can to the movie Moulin Rouge.
I can't stand it when stores use the wrong letters in their names in an attempt to be cute. Kountry Kitchen. King Soopers. Qwik Mart.
I feel like I'm a good mix of stereotypical male and female traits, and I enjoy that. No boxes for me. I like being able to fix stuff and make stuff (love my power tools—unlike Peterson's, they are not pink). I enjoy cooking and bubble baths with candles.
I was an art major in college. Will that be for here or to go? No, seriously, I am an artist. I lost my art during my time as an ex-gay, because I was disconnecting from myself to such an extreme extent. Slowly it is coming back and the art I've done around my time in the ex-gay movement has been really healing.
I am a bit of a crunchy, granola lesbian, and have two cats that I can't go very long without mentioning.
I have a wonderful partner who is the best thing that has ever happened to me.
Unlike Peterson, I have only one blog, Rising Up Whole, and I sometimes struggle to maintain just that one.
My day job is as a freelance graphic designer, production artist and photoshop retoucher. Need your friend's head photoshopped onto that naked guy's body? I'm your gal.
I have too much stuff in my house and am continually fighting a battle to simplify. My partner helps with this.
I can be sarcastic at times (ok, a lot of times). I smile a lot and like to joke around with everyone.
I am living an authentic life and am comfortable in my own skin.

Some random facts and trivia about Jallen Rix

While attending a christian college (a long, long time ago) I snuck off to a weekly ex-gay group over the course of eight months to become straight... and failed.
I’m a comic book geek, buying 3 to 12 comics a week.
Lima beans were so revolting to me when I was a kid I would smuggle them out of my mouth and onto a hidden ledge under the family table. They still turn my tummy, though I eat most everything else.
For most of my life, I avoided costume parties because there was no fun in pretending to be someone else when I felt like I was doing that 24/7. No that I am my thoroughly authentic self, I’m pert’ darn good at making my own costumes and I love dressing up!
My BA is in music composition. For more than a decade I was a full-time, singer/songwriter, and the most popular, male “christian singer” appearing in UFMCCs. Check out my “out” recordings on itunes or watch my music videos on YouTube.
I have attended Burning Man more than a dozen times. It’s a 10 day arts festival, experimental community, rave party, and mad max movie all rolled into one.
Dancing was believed to be a sin growing up. Now, I love to dance, especially slow dancing with a special someone.
When recently asked if I was a christian, I responded with, “I am a follower of the teachings of Jesus. I don’t think most christians today would be comfortable calling me a christian.... hmmm, what’s wrong with that picture?”
My ex-gay experience ultimately lead me to getting my doctorate of education in sexology.
It’s frustrating when stores use the wrong letters for their websites, like KountryKitchenDotCom, or QuikMartDotOrg. Who can figure that out?
If stream hiking was all I did for the rest of my life, I would be content.
It took me three years to write my first book, Ex-Gay No Way and I was blessed to find a publisher within a year!