Queer Hutterite
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- Опубликовано: 4 окт 2024
- Kelly Hofer knew he wasn't a fit from the start. His secret drove him from his Hutterite colony, it was the only home he had ever known. When he was 19 he drove to Calgary and came out on Facebook. The reaction was extreme.
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Wow! Great photos. Lots of love in those photos.
Well, explained.
Wonderful story - great guy and his sister
Such exquisite photographs. I would love to see more of Kelly's work. He's so very talented.
Beautiful and honest.
Kelly, your photos are really striking. Don't stop clicking!
Birnam Wood zpoerful pictures
well said...
Birnam Wood p
Im so glad that you had the courage to leave. I cried. I knew you had a plan, i could see it on your face in the other documentary. So talented.
great story thanx so much 4 sharing this with us all
Well Done young man and you are so fortunate to have a sister that cares so much. I on the other hand am sad that your parents and family cannot see your beautiful work.
Your work is lovely. I wish you everything good.
A small, tight, somewhat isolated community can be a wonderful experience if you are embraced by your community members. It can be a hell if you are not. People that are accepted can never understand how it feels to be rejected by everyone in your community, and be kept away from those who would accept you, because they are also people being shamed
He's so beautiful x
Wow. The amount of courage he has. And what a brilliant photographer, too!
Courage?? How does he have courage?? You people crack me up, you have no idea what courage is.... None!!!!
@@joeborrajo186 You are ignorant. Courage comes about in many ways, and in many different contexts. Your limited view doesn't invalidate the personal experience of many.
I had seen a previous documentary, and it highlighted when you biked away. You are so lucky to have such an amazing sister, and your talent is beyond what I can put into words!! Absolutely amazing to say the least... Much love to all of you, and thank you for sharing your journey :)
Wonderful video. Thank you for sharing your story.
Thank-you. Marvellous photography!
Oh my Goodness...I was just praying for your happiness.Its really really good to see you on the other side of the lens and finding yourself 💞
Your photographs are absolutely gorgeous!
Your talent and gift that you have with photography is God given. I hope you know and feel that. I pray you have a long full life of adventure and joy. Please keep sharing your pictures. They have so much soul and life and happiness. I wish you and your family well. In a perfect world we could agree to disagree and live in harmony.
I like how they aren't angry, but want understanding.
Excellent story.
I am so proud of you ❤
Your photography is beautiful your story was beyond amazing. Thank you for sharing. I pray you have found your happiness and peace in the world. That is what life is about. We are given one life to live we should live it to the fullest happy and peace in our hearts.
Wow, you are an extraordinary photographer. Your photos are beautiful and full of meaning.
Awesome pics.
I'm here after watching the documentary How to Get to Heaven as a Hutterite. I wanted to know what happened to Kelly and wanted to know his sister's story as well so I was SO pleased to find this video! Thank you so much for it. I wish them both such a wonderful life.
Oh nice one I just watched the documentary where he ran away at the end, I'm going to sit and enjoy watching how he got on then will probably be back when I've finished .. going to get a brew and sit back and enjoy watching his story unfold ...
Yes, same :) such a bright young man!
@Kelly Marie me too, watching 2nd part now. I like a follow up. One of the best informative videos I've seen in a long time. So real and without sensationalism. What happened to the young man who was dreaming of becoming a designer, building a house after his own wishes. He had to collect every day eggs from these tortured chickens.
Yep,me too.
I watched it too, years ago.. but I can’t find it anymore.. how is it called?
So nice to get an update from that BBC documentary ... seeing free Kelly ... his pictures are good ...
If that is not who you are then why are you that way
I just watched the documentary where he left the colony with his sister's help. I am so happy to find out he is doing well and has fully embraced his talent! Some people are truly just born with it!
its a good thing he left for the sake of his poor community, a pillar of shame because of him
👎👎👎
I saw giselle in the group photo, it’s the same colony that she now vlogs about, Kelly’s sister has not lost her accent
The Hutterites will never embrace homosexuality. It goes against Biblical doctrine and their whole life is based around these doctrines.
What an amazing eye you have. Interesting and beautiful photos. I hope you are well
This is wonderful
I live in southern Manitoba and it’s always so interesting for me to see Hutterites when I’m uptown. They are such a unique group of people. I am Mennonite and we are very different from the hutterites (we aren’t so sheltered) but something about seeing Hutterite colonies for some reason feels very nostalgic
If I am not wrong, the central value of Hutterite is Jesus. If this value is not emphasized any more. then the Hutterites may be the same as the world.
Hi, Kelly, I'm glad that you are happy now and loved your story.. Junie from P.A
Very wonderful video, and how courageous are these two siblings! I must say, though, regarding Kelly's homosexuality, God does not make mistakes, and I believe religious leaders need to recognize this fact. There is a reason for everything that occurs, but that reason is in God's hands. I had a very difficult journey to come to this realization 33 years ago, when our infant son died after a very brief illness. I removed myself from religion for several years because I was so filled with pain. However, someone sent me the poem The Plan of the Master Weaver, and that began my journey back to God. It is not made that we be the judges of, in this case, peoples sexuality...who someone sleeps with is not our business. At the end of the day, God will judge us all on how we lived our lives, not who we slept with. Kelly, this was the most splendid video, particularly as you and your sister did NOT spend time vilifying the Hutterites, but rather expressing your sorrow that you have to separated from them. I send prayers that in time you will both be welcomed back to your family, and community, with joyful reunion. Many blessings from Texas.
Omgosh, I remember watching his story when he left them. I’m actually glad he didn’t go back, and is thriving.
Kelly, if you ever see this, I watched the doc on Maple Grove Colony before I seen this, and I am just so proud of you. I'm glad you get to be YOU and I'm proud of you for not completely persecuting your colony for their ways, while still living your life. That contests you who you are as a person, and I think you're great!
What a lovely comment, Jessica. It made me smile!
I just saw it the other day and after a few seconds I was like, wait that's Kelly the runaway photographer! Now I understand more of why he left the community, they should have touched on that in the documentary!
ThatGirlJD I too have just watched the same documentary :-)
Be yourself is normal, you have talent. Like your pics. You gone the right way
Very courageous. Blessings.
I had a feeling he was queer. His perspective behind the lens was amazing. When he left the colony, the smile on his face was fantastic.
Why do you use the term queeer it is an offensive & a derogatory phrase. I am gay and find queer offensive if your not not gay do you introduce yourself as hello I’m John/Janet I’m straight?
@@richarddavis2107 I'm a queer person, if it offends you, I won't call you that, but please don't police mine or others self identification.
I’m queer and it’s not a term I find offensive
also he had the best shirt
@@richarddavis2107 Queer is just a synonym for gay. Just like pretty and beautiful.
I dont know which one is offensive, pretty or beautiful.
I love and admire Kelly! I follow him on Facebook ❤️
You are a gift from god. I hope your groups saves the lives of many lbgti hutterites.
Can you plz read Romans 1? GOD DOES NOT WANT WHAT HE DOES AND HE DOES NOT THINK HE IS DOING THE RIGHT THING!!
@user-jt3eq9kg7k that is your opinion based on your religious word view. Thank god most people have moved on from your cult of bible based hate.
@@dbulmannz First of all did I express any kind of hate????!!!! And, if you don't believe, then don't say gift from god!
I saw the footage of Kelly leaving the Hutterite somewhere else, but it didn't talk about him being gay. I wondered why he left on his bike with no luggage at all. The doco didn't explain the part about his sister being there and taking the bags for him. Wow. So cool to hear the rest of the story.
I saw the documentary that showed his escape just the other day. I had a feeling he was gay and also needed to express himself as a person. I had hoped he would do well in the world. I am glad he has.
He is so well-spoken & for someone who grew up the way he did in the colony & basically shielded, he is very self-assured. So happy for him 🤗
A Qutterite...
Well I am familiar with and have visited the Roundup colony in Montana and Lodge Grass colony ❤🎉
Great video! I wonder what are the "few social changes" that Kelly think is needed to make the Hutterite colonies "in a really ideal state again"? I wish he'd elaborate on that.
So many churches treat rapists and child abusers like human beings, even cover up their crimes, and then turn around and degrade or abandon a person just for being gay. I will never understand why, of all the things religious people could vehemently be against, so many choose not abuse, not lying, not materialism or lack of charitableness , not adultery, not violence, not inequality, but homosexuality - the so-called sin that actually hurts no one
They feel threatened by homosexuality because they fear it in thenselve. That is what homophobia is all about. We are all on a spectrum in that department. That is part of the human condition.
@@miriamholmes932 I believe there's truth to that, but could the same not be said for most vices also?
Hi Kelly, I loved your story and glad that your happy,, Take Care, June From P.A
I saw the doc on the Maple Grove Colony first too, where Kelly leaves at the end. I thought it seemed like a great place unless you're different (like me and now I know like Kelly). I'm glad Kelly is doing well.
Incredible.
6:31 wow he looks gorgeous there. Where do we have to write to date him?
My friend forwarded this to me! Great documentary!
Beautiful and honest documentary. I enjoyed it lot :)
Worth the watch for many reasons - including Kelly's marvellous photos - but also to hear an unique accent that is a another grain in the tapestry of our country: English touched with the sounds of Plaatdeutsch.
What a lovely, articulate, optimistic young man. I would be proud to call him my son. [my daughter is about his age]. It's very sad that he can't go home to visit as others who have left the colony are able to. Kudos to his sister.
I am very curious to know what the members of his colony think. Not the leaders, I get what they think, or at least what they present to the public as what they think. I would like to hear from his parents, his childhood friends. The girl who had her eye on him in high school.
I've had work relations with a local colony and as a whole, they are very kind, polite, and generous people to be around. After an initial shyness, [I've often wondered how the teen aged girls were "cautioned", if they were, about dealing with us outsiders] I found the girls and women who worked on our farm to be hard workers, always up for a laugh or a prank, and very curious about my "un-feminine" lifestyle. [I worked in a male dominated industry and am a partner on our farm].
This was an interesting story, I'd love to learn more.
+Sue Werner I think he would be more interested in your son than your daughter. Perhaps you need to ask your daughter what queer means nowadays.
axactly
I don't think she meant to say that she'd like him to meet her daughter, LOL
I find it most interesting how both of them still consider themselves to be Hutterite, despite leaving.
And I feel sorry for their parents. To lose one child is terrible, they lost 2. They are probably seen as "bad parents" now... And the pressure on the rest of the famiy, the brothers and sisters.
At least his sister and him are together. It would be much harder otherwise.
He has a great eye for photography, that's for certain!! And rather ironic unfortunately how well he captured what he can no longer be a part of..... hopefully they will see him one day as a documenter of their incredibly beautiful lifestyle....
@c fedyszyn they have had their same culture for 500 years, you want to change a group. we have heard that one before...
What a lovely woman!
i'm amazed that the group he started trusted facebook to keep their membership information private.
nothing online is private; nothing is ever truly removed/deleted. my own aol chatroom logs are out there somewhere, i'm sure.
It's bad enough living a lie, but to Live a lie in such a strict religion is in my opinion, "Living in Hell," I was Apostolic Pentecostal and I received God's blessings, but I felt I was hiding in my religion. I fell away from God's Grace, but I really didn't, I just felt I had, actually he put me through the learning of my lifetime! I was shunned by my Mother, no contact except 1 voicemail to tell me my insurance was due, in her in disrespectful & hateful voice. I've left out so much of my life in this, but when everything changed is when God took their only Grandson, my only Nephew, from this Earth in a single automobile accident 2miles from their home, 2miles from his parents home, & 2miles from his home @ 32yrs old. My Dad couldn't walk because of his pain of loosing his beloved Grandson, so @ 4:45 on a Sunday morning I was awoken by the Knock @ my door, it was My Mother, looking worse than the morning she received a call from her sister to tell her her illegitimate son, my brother that we never knew anything about until that next day. She told us she had something to tell my Sister & I when we got home from school, what a day that was. Sorry, but when I opened my door, I thought my Father had died, until I saw him trying to get out of the vehicle, then my Mother said it's "yr nephew, ' Parents can be so hurtful but God & time will open ones eyes. I admire this young man, I've never said my true age on any website but I was 58 then, I am now 63, I lived a lie 58 yrs of my life, a Mother knows, but at 16 I tried to tell her and it was as though, from across the room, she put her hand over my mouth, and I couldn't speak. I have never told this to the public, but I just have & I hope it helps someone to Start Living Their Life that God gave you, He didn't give it to anyone else but you, So Be You!
".... can't we all just get along ...." - Rodney King, May 1, 1992, Los Angeles, California
🎉this is so awesome 🎉
Romans chapter one.
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What an amazing young man. And his sister too. Beautiful, courageous, strong young people. Thank you for posting this.
Sodomy is not sexuality.
Wow, the sister is incredibly beautiful. They seem like really cool people. Would love to meet them.
Wow! What a fantastic film! I'm from Winnipeg, and remember many stifling hot days spent at St. Ambroise beach, when at some point in the evening a whole bunch of Hutterite young people would show up, the girls in their long dresses, and they would head straight for the water to cool off and hang out. I always loved to see them there, the pure joy on their faces was unmistakable. My Mum is from a Mennonite background and I often thought about how different my life could have been had she not moved to the city and met my Dad.
Kelly, I wish you and your sister and family peace and happiness. Today and always. I hope that this film will help to bring about the changes that you desire.
Great photograph the one with all the family faces in profile!
Best for the community he left.
This isn't so surprising to me. His photography was amazing before he left the colony. I hope he continues to find happiness and who he wants to be in this short life God gives us. I'm so happy that his sister continues to support him in his truth and hope they realize they aren't going to hell for choosing to live fully the life given to us. Kelly you are amazingly talented and brave. Thee are many of us, parents who support, love and understand that God has intended you to be exactly as you are. I hope your parents realize this, best of luck.
I'm really sad that BBC took off How to Get to Heaven with the Hutterites Documentary on RUclips. Does anyone know where one can find the documentary?
Always enjoy anything about you Kelly!
This is a beautiful documentary of sorts.I enjoyed every minute of it!
Oh they almost sound Irish or Canadian! How charming! I wish his family would accept him.
duh, they are Canadian
I think the best thing to hope for is evolving, not changing. Mist people are afraid to change but if we let people evolve according to their own pace, then it is a bit unvomfortable. Ebolving happens more naturally.
You have some very inspirational photographs. I grew up in a Christian home and I too am also gay and a professional photographer.
I live in a small town in Arizona.
It seems that we share some common traits. Being gay, being artistic, being rejected because of our sexuality.
Feeling guilty and ostracized by family and community.
she sounds like she has an Irish accent.
I work with an ex amish woman and she talks just like her.
I assumed he was going to be all anti-Hutterite. Instead he gave such a heart-warming account of the beauties and drawbacks of the community.
I can't imagine having to choose between living a lie or abandoning everything and everyone I've ever known. I don't know that I'd be brave enough to do what he's done. If I were gay, I probably just hide it and try to convince myself of the lie. He is so courageous and has such a good heart.
I doubt he'll ever see complete acceptance in the Hutterite community, but they should still allow him to visit his family. Even if the elders don't agree with his views, they should still show him Jesus' love and not shun him.
And those hateful FB messages have no place in a Christian community. The elders should consider that an even greater sin than anything this young man has done!
Great mini doc, your images are very good. I think you'll be a great photojournalist.
I’m not sure if Kelly will see this, but.... I’ve never heard of such wonderful thing like your story. I can’t imagine how many other colonists around here (I live in South Dakota) can relate to you, but I’m sure there’s a number far greater than I can conceive, and I know this will be inspiring for them all; it will be inspiring for everyone 😁 I’m glad I found this in the midst of my family search session. And on that note..... well, hi! I’m a distant cousin to some degree; I don’t know in what degree, but because I also have some Hutterite dna in my blood, I know there’s a definite relation based on what I have seen... Seeing this makes me realize that even if I have total strangers in my extended family, I have reasons why I should be proud and supportive of them even if we haven’t had a conversation yet. This will be the prime example! You’re changing the world for the better at this moment, remember that 😊
Not a Hutterite, but grew up in a tiny South Dakota town- population 56. I just saw this video for the first time today. Knew I was gay from age 5 but didn't have any reference for what I felt. Being born in 1956, there was just nothing out there to help understand what I was feeling. I sent a message to Kelly today congratulating him on his courage to live an authentic life and put his story out there to help other gay kids- Hutterite or not.
Bravo!
the guy in the sky say yes to lgbt
As a gay man. I’d give anything for family. I don’t think it was that hard for him.
The more control over someone the more they rebel to go promiscuous..sex drugs and alcohol..trauma patients
We still struggle with homophobia in the mainstream culture, so I doubt hutterites will support that.
I cannot understand why homosexuality exists at all in Yahweh's Perfect Plan.
Gay people will never be accepted in Hutterite colonies. And shouldn’t be. If he’s gone he should stay gone. It’s not like he was locked up. Cry me a river and I will shit you a bridge.
Remember Sodom and Gomora
I just watched documentary when he left the colony and am glad to find this. I think both of the Hofer children were very brave and it's sad to have to ask permission to visit family. As long as you don't come into the community and start trouble it should be up to the person you are visiting.
I agree, but still it might open the eyes and minds of other colonists to the possibility of leaving. That in itself would likely be "trouble" to those in charge.
What doc?
Wow I saw the doc before this one of him running away didn't know he was gay. Nothing's wrong with that I'm happy to see him succeed in what makes him happy.
Both siblings are beautiful, strong & courageous.
I did not see any computers within the Hutterite community making difficult to see how he was having a facebook support group unless you just make it up. Did I miss something when looking at how the Hutterite community really live?
I think he is missing many things about real life and how it all fits together. If one is always out of step and does not fit in one has to find the place where one is in step and fits in, obviously Hutterite beliefs are not for him, it is unfortunate he was born to this condition but there are a lot of people with he same condition and he needs to get comfortable with them and a life where he fits. If he does not his life will be miserable, without purpose or happiness suspended somewhere wishing he could be Hutterite and forever being odd man out. An option would be to start his own Hutterite Queer community which would be very difficult to make work without and children picking up the slack, he really is not seeing lives big picture.
Hutterites are online, most of them have smartphones etc.
hutterites have computer's phones and many other devices
If everyone minds their business it would be easer.
The Hutterites came originally from Austria. Where I was Born too. They were chased by The catholic church, so they had to flee. Because they deny any violence, they also got rejected by Germany, Eastern Europe, USA and others - because of military Service. Canada was Smart enough, to welcome this hardworking and good people.
The Hutterites were brutalized by both protestants and Catholics because of their anabaptist theology.
@Jacob Stahl that's discipline not violence. Seems like it wasn't enough though the way u talk about ur own culture
@Jacob Stahl getting spanked across the butt or hand is discipline. If u get hit anywhere else say across ur leg or side of ribs and it was intentional then that was abusive and violent. The statement that u made about ur culture not being hutterian seems false as ur last name is stahl and u said u got beaten and witnessed the same for other kids. By saying beating I mean spanked/disciplined. The only place in the world that I know of that still spank their kids as a punishment is hutterites.
I am so glad I came upon this video on my RUclips Home Page. As an avid photographer I recognize talent when I see it and Kelly's photos are mesmerizing and inspirational. I went to his site to order his book and gasped when I saw that the shipping to the US would be $20. I left the site and slept on the potential expense, but couldn't resist. I just ordered the book and know I will treasure it. Kelly is an amazing man, and I wish him much success and fulfillment in his life.
, this gave me goosebumps. I hope change is coming. With your help , maybe. Stay safe. ps great photos
You are amazing
I loved your documentary, the frankness and the human connection. I'm especially captivated by the photos of colony members. Well done.
Kelly, if you are reading this, dont give up on God.
stop following your worldly and carnal lusts, ask for forgiveness, repent and give him your whole heart.
Titus 2:11-12 King James Version (KJV)
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
[5] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. [6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
i am sure you have heard of the Hutterites who are born again. i tell you, getting born again is the most supernatural thing you will ever experience, Christianity is not about religion, it is about the supernatural experience of being born again which brings about a reconciliation back to the Father.
you will never be the same
You realize he never said that he left God. Just the Hutterite community. Most of those who leave colonies are still Christian. Plus, he said he hopes to be welcome and accepted someday. Certainly he still maintains his beliefs, just not the all of the leadership. Besides, calling out the religious leaders when they are ostracizing the minority is pretty much a Jesus thing, right? He died in that cause. Just irritating the Pharisees and sadducees 😉. Yay Jesus! The rebel God who pushed love over law!
@@slyericketson6780 i dont expect non Christians to know what i am talking about, may God bless you and open your eyes :)
@@khole15 fair enough. I'm not a Christian. I over studied the subject, I suppose. But I really dig the philosophy, and the stories in the New Testament about Jesus are really great moral teachings. I receive the blessings and send some your way too! Smiles!
@@louisacapell well said sister, may God bless you
Sweet Stefka
The truth is sharper than a two edged sword !!
What if those who are not attracted to the opposite sex are actually destined to live as Paul for Christ alone. What if the reason they don't have the same desires for children and family is because they have the greater reward of living for God without distraction. I think one of the problems with our culture is that we don't celebrate singleness even in the Christian faith. Paul says that it is better to be single, but we don't teach this is our churches. This young man has an amazing eye and gift and I hope that he continues to use this for Jesus Christ. Yes, things do need to change with the Hutterites, but I don't think accepting homosexuality as biblical is one of them, because it's not. However, I would love to see them allow their colonies to be the individuals that God created them to be. Freedom of expression. Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2Corinthians 3:17).
They are sexually attracted to the same sex and deserve love, a relationship and companionship as much as anyone.
People who claim to be Christian but judge others and condemn them are not Christian. Jesus taught unconditional love for all, not hate and judgement.
@@Dingdongbingaling You are right Katie, any Christian who is condemning others is not walking in the Spirit of Christ. A person who has not yet been born again is uneducated in God's ways and doesn't have the power of the Holy Spirit to walk the way He desires them to walk.
Now, someone who is born again and involved in the church, we are to judge according to 1 Corinthians 5:11-13 and correct in love.
God is love, so when we submit to God, we honor the way He defines love. Although we have our own ideas about what love is, we allow God's Word to define love for us.
And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:2).
There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death. (Proverbs 14:12).
When we come to a place in God's word that offends us, we should pray and ask God to give us understanding. That's humility and we know that God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).
To give our opinions more authority than God's word is to play God. There is only One God and we are His children, so we must submit to Him as such.
“Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3-4).
God's Word is our compass and we must follow His ways, not our own.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away (Matthew 24:35).
God bless you Katie! I pray that you will seek the Lord to give you revelation and understanding of His Word. He's not expecting perfection from us, but humility. I pray that you receive the humility and grace to be God's very own!!!
I was just watching several other hudderite videos and I saw Kelly in one (He left with his sister) and wondered what ever happened to him. Now I know❤
Why should he ask the hutterite way to change and accept people of different orientations, when he's not part of the Hutterites anymore? Why do people feel the need to tell other religions they need to change this and that, when they're not even apart of it? No, he should not have been treated the way he was when he came out. That's another issue.