Joshua Bassett, known for his starring role in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, has broken his silence after being baptised by the notoriously anti-LGBTQ+ Bethel Church. In a video posted on social media, Bassett appeared alongside a representative from the megachurch to proclaim that Jesus Christ is his “lord and saviour”. Bassett said that running away from Christianity “only ended in addiction, depression, suicidal ideation, eating disorders” and that Jesus Christ gave him “peace”.
The Bethel Church is renowned for its anti-LGBTQ+ stance and has previously promoted so-called ‘conversion therapy’ on its social media channels. Fans have voiced their concerns, questioning whether Bassett had been “forced” to attend the baptism. Joshua Bassett, who came out as queer in 2021, responded to fan concerns and criticism regarding his baptism at the church, saying he was “unaware” of its harmful beliefs. While some fans are arguing that it’s common for “random” baptisms to happen at churches, others are questioning how he managed to be baptised without knowing what he was being baptised into.
On its website, the Bethel Church has a section dedicated to its beliefs on the “confusing” topic of sexuality, which all but lays out its support for conversion therapy. In 2018, when California proposed a bill that would ban the practice of conversion therapy, Bethel Church leaders spoke out against it, saying they wouldn’t allow “our message, our hope, and our faith to be silenced”. The Bethel Church website also rambles about the “fundamental and essential distinctions” between men and women and “chromosomal reality”, effectively denying the existence of trans people.
Some of Bassett’s fans are disappointed and worried for the queer fans who look up to him. One fan wrote, “I truly hope he understands the gravity of this choice and along those lines, I hope this is HIS choice and not from any outside pressure.” Another person asked, “Nahh wait… You didn’t research the church before getting baptised by them?” Despite the backlash, Bassett maintains that his “heart is for Christ and Christ alone!”
