I don’t think people like this are mostly projecting, and I’ve never seen data to back up that idea. I don’t see any evidence that points to this preacher being a closeted gay person. Obviously, that possibility exists, but it is only a possibility and nothing like a sure thing.

While some studies show that extremely homophobic people are more likely then an average person to be closeted LGBTQ people, those studies do not support a conclusion that most homophobic people are closeted.

To assert otherwise is an error in analysis.

Opposition to LGBTQ equality in the United States is not driven primarily by closeted LGBTQ people. It’s driven by religious people motivated by their religious beliefs. When we dismiss opponents as closeted, we effectively ignore the actual problem.

This movement of “Sure Foundation Baptist” churches is not attracting followers from the ranks of closeted queer people. That’s not how any of this works.