This episode features an in-depth dialogue with Matthew Melvin, author of "Bullied Behind Bars: A Gay Christian Trump Supporter Goes to Prison." The episode elucidates the profound challenges Matthew faced during his time incarcerated, including the bullying and discrimination he encountered, which were exacerbated by his sexual orientation and political beliefs. He articulates the transformative journey of self-acceptance and forgiveness that he undertook while in solitary confinement, a period that fundamentally reshaped his outlook on life. Through his memoir, Matthew aims to shed light on the broader societal issues of bullying, addiction, and the quest for identity, particularly for those who are neurodivergent or marginalized. As we engage with his narrative, we invite listeners to reflect on the complexities of human experience and the importance of compassion and understanding in the face of adversity. In this enlightening episode of the podcast, Rich Bennett converses with Matthew Melvin, author of the memoir "Bullied Behind Bars: A Gay Christian Trump Supporter Goes to Prison." The episode begins with a commendation of the Book Fair at Bel Air, which serves as a testament to the enduring power of literature and community engagement. Melvin's narrative is a profound exploration of his experiences with bullying, both in his formative years and during his incarceration, where he faced extraordinary challenges due to his identity as a gay man and his beliefs. The host and guest engage in a candid conversation that unveils the harsh realities of prison life and the stigma that accompanies being a member of the LGBTQ+ community within such environments. Throughout the discourse, Melvin provides a riveting account of his motivations for writing the memoir, indicating that it is designed not only to narrate his own journey but also to educate and inspire others. He reflects on the societal misconceptions surrounding individuals who have been incarcerated, particularly those who are neurodivergent or who have faced bullying. The episode also addresses the psychological ramifications of his time in solitary confinement, illustrating how such experiences can shape one’s identity and self-perception. Melvin emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding, advocating for a societal shift towards compassion for those who have made mistakes and are seeking redemption. As the episode draws to a close, Melvin articulates his hopes for the future, expressing a desire to establish support networks for men who feel marginalized or isolated. He envisions creating safe spaces that foster inclusivity and understanding, transcending traditional boundaries that often segregate individuals based on their backgrounds or life choices. The episode resonates with a powerful message about the need for acceptance and the potential for personal transformation, leaving listeners with a sense of hope and the motivation to foster compassion in their own communities.

Takeaways:

• The Book Fair at Bel Air serves as a vital community event, fostering connections among over 100 authors and readers annually.
• Matthew Melvin's memoir, 'Bullied Behind Bars', recounts his harrowing experiences of bullying within prison due to his sexual orientation.
• The discussion highlights the misconceptions surrounding addiction, emphasizing that the principles of the 12-step program extend beyond substance abuse.
• Readers are encouraged to cultivate compassion and understanding for individuals who have made mistakes in their lives, recognizing the complexity of their situations.
• Matthew's journey illustrates the intersection of personal identity and societal judgment, particularly for those who are neurodivergent or marginalized.
• The podcast underscores the importance of inclusivity in support groups, advocating for spaces that welcome diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Links referenced in this episode:

• Home - Book Fair at Bel Air
• Bullied Behind Bars: A Gay Christian Trump Supporter Goes To Prison | prison reform

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Book Fair at Bel Air
• Freedom Nissan
• Amazon

Before we begin today's pitch, I want to thank the Book Fair at Bel Air for sponsoring this episode. Every year, this free community event brings Together more than 100 authors and readers of all ages to celebrate the magic of books.

There are stories to discover, activities for kids, and plenty of chances to meet the writers who inspire us. To learn more or join their email list, visit book fairellaire.org what if discovering your next great read only took a few minutes?

Welcome to the Author Pitch, the short form podcast where writers from around the world deliver a powerful pitch for their book and read a standout excerpt in their own voice. I'm Rich Bennett. This is the Author Pitch and your next great read starts here.

Welcome to the Author Pitch, where writers from around the world deliver a powerful pitch for their book and read a short excerpt in their own voice. I'm your host, Rich Bennett, and today's guest is Matthew Melvin, author of Bullied Behind A Gay Christian Trump Supporter Goes to Prison.

So, Matthew, first of all, welcome to the show, man.

Thank you so much for having me. It's a real pleasure.

Oh, it's my honor. All right, let's start with your pitch.

Give listeners a tight, high impact overview of what the book is, who it's for, why it matters, and what makes it unique.

My story is unique because I was bullied. Well, behind bars. I spent a lot of time in solitary confinement. Wow. In 16 months of prison, I went to 10 different institutions, four states.

Wow. Holy cow.

A lot of the inmates would lie to the guards, tell them I tried to proposition them, and I was placed in solitary confinement. Well, the prison might have had my body. They didn't have my mind. And I use that time to start loving myself, forgiving myself and forgiving others.

Going through the 12 step program because I was addicted to stealing. A lot of people have this belief that the 12 steps only apply for drugs or alcohol, and that is not true.

Any addiction, pornography, masturbation, anything can apply. Your cell phone. It's not just 12 steps. It's a lifestyle. Wow.

So who's this book actually for? I mean, what type of reader? Well, it's like a memoir, right?

And in a way, I was standing up to, once again, being bullied. I did it completely the wrong way. However, it's amazing to me that even Today, as I speak to you, I am still being bullied.

Yeah. Jeez.

It just never ends. I just actually left a job because I was emotionally abused by a owner who always blamed everybody else. It was always somebody else's fault.

And then she found out that I had a record, a criminal record. She threatened me with a restraining order.

That's ridiculous. That.

God.

All right. I have a funny feeling. No, not a funny feeling. I have a good feeling.

When you read this excerpt from your book, it's really going to hit people and wake them up. So actually, let's hear the excerpt you brought for us today. Go ahead and take your time. Settle in and read it. Your nature, your natural pace.

Okay, so.

When Matthew Melvin started working at a car dealership in South Burlington, Vermont, he never thought that one mistake would lead to a life changing stint in prison. Feeling he wasn't being paid his full commissions on car sales, he made an impulsive decision to get what he felt he was owed.

He hatched a badly thought out plot to steal a car, sell it as his own and keep the profits. However, a basic reference and background check quickly revealed that the vehicle's title was not in his name, but still belonged to the dealership.

He was arrested and sentenced to prison.

While Matthew has taken responsibility for his poor life choices, he believes he has been treated unfairly due to his sexual orientation, religious and political affiliations, and his adult diagnosis of autism.

While he and his lawyer argued that his punishment would be best served in a mental health facility, Matt was unfortunately sentenced to a number of months in prison to be served in general population. Terrified and alone, Matthew began his prison term with the best of intentions, to keep his head down and serve his time as uneventfully as possible.

But being a gay Christian Trump supporter brought him unwanted and negative attention. He was bullied by cellmates, targeted by gains, and even raped in one facility.

The months he was in prison felt like decades, and there were times he doubted he would make it out alive.

Wow. Wow. That and this is a memoir.

It is, yes.

Oh, my God. The stuff that you had to go through, I can't even imagine. I can't even. Why'd you choose that particular excerpt from the book?

It's the story of my life. It still goes on today.

Being bullied whether it's because I'm a felon, whether it's because I'm gay, and this false notion that certain Christians have that you can't be gay and be a Christian. And that is simply not the case. No.

Yeah.

Is homosexuality spoken in the Bible it is. The understanding of what homosexuality is is very different today than it was 6,000 years ago.

Wow. I didn't realize that.

Before we got the name aids, hiv. It was originally called grid. Gay immune disorder.

Really?

Yes.

Wow. Wow. I had no idea what man. All right, so something tells me even though this is a memoir, it's an educational book as well.

People can learn a lot from it. Is that true?

I believe it is a great book to pick up, especially if you or somebody you know is neurodivergent or is struggling to figure out who they are, they're being bullied by other people and. Or if they are experimenting with low level crimes. I didn't just steal a car one day. It started off with small thefts that were not treated properly.

Right.

Because it was not treated properly, it accelerated.

Yeah. Yeah. Wow. All right. So what do you hope that readers feel after they finish reading it.

And understanding that people make mistakes. We all make mistakes. Hoping that there will be compassion for my situation. And, you know, I want to serve other men. That's.

I really have a passion for.

I've been doing men's weekends for about three years, and I really have a strong desire to start a men's group that is not heteronormative, that is for men that are gay, men that are single, men.

Right.

Men that are not. Not in that married with kids box. Although I will allow them because I never want to discriminate against anyone.

But there's a strong need for it because I've been a part of 15 men's groups and all I ever hear is your wife, your wife, your wife and your kids. And for those of us that don't have that, it creates this divide.

Yeah.

I want to bridge the gap between the divide and include everyone.

It's a good idea. That's a good idea. Sansa could also be a podcast to where you could have these men on because.

And you know this when you talk about things like that helps you when you talk about it, but you're helping others that are hearing it as well and. Yeah. Wow. All right. So, Matthew, this is a hard question, man. You ready for this?

I love hard questions.

What's next next for you as an author?

That's a good question. I have several ideas for new books.

Good.

That's one avenue. The other avenue is I would love to be a public speaker and speak about autism. That you can be high functioning and have autism. And the Other.

As I had mentioned to you earlier about starting a men's group of men of all different backgrounds. The other thing I think is important in being a part of these various men's group is it was almost all white. And I want to include other populations.

I want men in leadership that have different backgrounds. One of the groups I was a part of refused to allow any man that was gay to be part of their leadership.

And that, Rich, is a clear sign of a cult, because every cult condemns homosexuality.

Yep, that. And it's just. It's wrong. It's wrong. Invite everybody. You know, if. And I've always said this, white, black, gay, whatever, it doesn't matter.

You look at the inside, we're all the same. You know, we all bleed the same brains, are the same color, hearts the same color. It's just we need to accept each other no matter what.

All right, so.

Oh, go ahead.

You're getting ready to say something.

Take off the judgment hat.

Yes.

And leave judgment to Jesus Christ.

Yep, exactly. Exactly. So where can people purchase your book and also follow you?

Email me bulliedbehindbarsmail.com if you or somebody you know needs help, you are looking for somebody to speak at one of the events you're having and. Or if you are in a situation where you feel alone, you don't feel like you can talk to anybody, you email me and I'm happy to help.

And those of you listening, you know what I'm going to say when you purchase his book. Bullied Behind Bars. A Gay Christian Trump Supporter Goes to Prison. Make sure you leave a review.

Not just on Amazon, leave a review everywhere that you can leave a review at about the book and buy copies for other people as well. Don't pass it off to someone else because you're going to want to read it again. Buy copies. Not only that, Matthew wants you to buy more copies.

So make sure you do that as well.

And follow him on Amazon because when he does release the other books, Amazon's going to notify you, which is something I found out not too long ago, which I love that idea. I was just sitting around and Lexi came on and told me so.

And so who you follow has a new book coming out, like, oh, add that to my shopping cart, then comes in handy. Matthew, I want to thank you so much. Those of you listening. Thanks for listening to the author pitch. I'm Rich Bennett.

And until next time, keep turning pages and discovering new voices.