May 13 2008
I turned down David Wilkerson
Sometimes, I suffer for my sexuality. You won’t believe it, but I just had a request to use one of my photographs (yes I’m an amateur photographer) as part of the cover design for a new David Wilkerson book. And I turned it down.
For those of you who don’t know him David Wilkerson is an evangelical preacher who has written at least 9 books I know of, the most famous being the The Cross and the Switchblade. He is also the founder of The Times Square Church in New York City. Wilkerson runs a prophetic ministry and he believes that greater acceptance of homosexuality in society and within the church will spell disaster for America and the world.
In spite of being a bigot and a homophobe, Wilkerson’s books sell millions of copies. If my photo was to be used I’m sure I could have commanded a small fee to say the least. From what I understand market price for a cover photo is about £500. Even a credit line for a cover-photo would have been gold dust, what better way to launch a new career than to have your photo used on the cover of a bestseller?
But fuck that, I’ve got principals, I’m not going to sell out to the Christian Right by having my work adorning the cover of yet another book that tells me my sexuality is sinful. Even though I really could use the money.
Anyway, I include a low-res copy of the photo in this post. Its a photo of the Chrysler building in New York. Personally I think I have two better shots than this one, but if anyone is interested in using it as a cover shot on a book that doesn’t promote a socially conservative Christian agenda, then I’d be happy to give you a discounted rate.
PS: Photo is copyright me (c) David Parkes 2005 All rights reserved.
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I agree with you entirely! I have a faith, of sorts. But I do not agree with any form of bigotry or certainly any kind of exclusive attitudes from anyone.
My belief is that the religious faiths are (or at least should) be used to promote respect and harmony not just for our species, but for the planet as a whole.
I have to agree that you were right in not “selling out”. If you do that how can you trully be honest. Other opportunities wil come by, and your ethics will stand you in good stead in the future.
Nj
Hi
I just found your site - keep it up! I’m a young bisexual woman wriggling my way out of the closet, and it’s always helpful to connect with other bisexuals.
Congrats on staying strong with your beliefs.
Hi Jamie,
Thanks for your words of encouragement. It took me a long time to come out too. In fact I was so far in the closet I think I was having adventures in Narnia. My advice: Look for the lamp-post.
To NightJack - Thanks for your supportive comments, I’m still yet to sell a picture, I dunno maybe, one day.
Sometimes it’s better in the long run to take an opportunity as it comes by and worry about your personal feelings later! Good luck, hope you find your niche in life.
David - I wish you great success, and if I ever finish my great novel, I’ll look you up for cover photo ideas
Peace,
Mike
While I appreciate your decision, I sometimes wonder if it’s also not of value to deal some low blows from within. It would have been amazing if you had quietly accepted, then once printed, publicly pointed out who/where the image came from. You could furthermore have donated the payment to the Human Rights Campaign or similar cause, essentially slapping all the so-called moral hypocrites in the face.
David,
Good for you! I read the Cross and the Switchblade when I was a kid. Then I saw the movie with Erick Estrada (sp)
all I can say now is: What the hell was I thinking?
Good for you for sticking to what you believe in. In the end all we have is our integrity.
C
You know I wonder how many gay/bisexuals are religious, how many are agnostic and how many are atheist. I myself am an atheist. So I’m hit with two things mainstream society has against me.
I’m just afraid the two sort of go hand in hand. If you are like me the church will say something like “see, bisexuals are ungodly atheists, so bisexuality is proven to be sinful” or some crap like that.
To Ceara - thanks for your supportive words.
To Michael - I think that has much to do with where in the world you are. In Europe Atheism is probably as acceptable as any of the mainstream beliefs, so an association with bisexuality/homosexuality is not seen as a consequence of being “ungodly”, rather that most gay/bisexuals are atheists because religion has no room for them.
HI,
I read your blog. I know David Wilkerson personally nd I know for sure he is not a bigot or homophobe of any kind. In fact he like Jesus has been accused of being a “friend to sinners.”
He is one of the most compassionate people that I have met. But I think in his earlier years he maybe was a little sheltered for lack of a better word. He has really changed and has a very large heart. He is in no way connected to the christian right. Nor does he want to be. The reason is Jesus had nothing to do with politics. The christian right has nothing to do with Jesus.
But I am not writing about that becuse your mind is made up.
I am contacting you because I know that he has no knowledge of anyone contacting you for a photo. He only uses people he knows for his books. A young woman named Erica is in charge of art projects for his books.
Maybe if anyone contacted you it was without his knowing.
Well Eileen seems to have just offered a denial, on behalf of David Wilkerson. However, I can assure you that I was contacted via the StockXchange photo sharing site, the request read:
“I’d like to use this marvellous picture as cover for a David Wilkerson’s book.”
In this case flattering didn’t get anywhere, however, the person who contacted me was not called Erica, so I accept this request was probably made without David Wilkerson’s knowledge. To be honest, I never thought for a minute it was. I know very few writers who solicit their own cover art on web sites.
Still most books use different cover art when they are republished or distributed in different markets, so taking what you say at face value, and given I have no reason to assume the request was not genuine, I can only surmise came from someone working on an international edition. The Cross and Switchblade alone is available in over 30 languages, I presume his other books have similar reach and appeal.
But anyway lets go on record and say - David Wilkerson had no knowledge of anyone contacting me to use my photo as part of the cover-art for his book. Some-one did, but it wasn’t an official authorised approach by the man himself. (Fair enough?)
I must admit I’m surprised this blog entry has attracted the attention of someone who actually knows him. However, Eileen, I do take issue with one point, David Wilkerson is not a bigot? Does he not believe homosexuality is sinful? Because unless he’s prepared to embrace it and endorse homosexual acts as genuine acts of love making he will remain in my book a bigot. However nice he is in person and however ‘friendly’ he is us sinning sodomites.
We’re looking for acceptance, not to be regarded as sinners who are to be loved because of our faults.
UPDATE - I’m not sure Eileen is the real thing, she posted with a fake email address. Starting to sound like “fan protection”.
Please correct me if I’m wrong.