A movie portraying Jesus as homosexual is going to be released in 2001.

See the story here.

The rumors have circulated at least since 1985. Urban folklorist Jan Harold Brunvand investigated the rumors in his book The Mexican Pet (1986).

Unlike previous versions, the current incarnation of the story contain absolutely no information about the supposed film; no title, no production company, no director or actors, nothing.

While earlier versions of the rumor advocated writing public officials to complain and mentioned a fictional production company, the recent revival of this rumor lacks such details. Is a direct descendant of earlier rumors? Is it a hoax? It is difficult to tell.

This recent version of the 'gay Jesus' rumor may have been inspired by a real work. The email mentions it is based on a play. 'Corpus Christi' by Terrence McNally, first produced in 1998, portrays Jesus and his disciples as gay and is set in Corpus Christi, Texas. Predictably, the play has sparked controversy in the US and Europe when staged. Still, there are no public plans - again, no production company, no director or actors - to make the play into a movie. And by some accounts, despite its controversial premise, the play is not terribly blasphemous.

Another thought: just what did the author intend to do with all those signatures?

Urban folklorist Jan Harold Brunvand discusses the 'gay Jesus' rumors in:

• The Mexican Pet (1986)

Web references:

• "'Gay Jesus' Rumor Resurrected on the Net" from About.com
• "Gay Jesus Film" from the Urban Legends Reference Pages
• "Jesus H. Christ! Corpus Christi takes the principle of artistic expression in vain." a review of 'Corpus Christi' from Slate

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