Out Actor Joshua Bassett Baptized into Anti-LGBTQ+ Church

Openly gay actor and singer Joshua Bassett has been baptized into a megachurch that pushes conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ people.

"Fans express concern for Joshua Bassett after learning he was baptized at the Bethel Church which promotes conversion therapy," Pop Crave reported in a Feb. 13 tweet.

Sportskeeda reported that the 22-year-old "High School Musical: The Musical" star posted a clip that showed him "just before his baptism ceremony" and "talking about his search for 'truth,' claiming that it led him astray."

As Bassett put it, when he fled from the church he had been raised in, "That only ended in addiction, depression, suicidal ideation, eating disorders... No other teacher gave me anywhere near the peace that Jesus Christ did."

The singer added another post in which he declared, "the gospel is GOOD NEWS for all willing to love and obey Him who keeps your heart beating"

Seemingly in response to fans' worries, Bassett subsequently posted on Twitter that though he had "visited" Bethel Church and "happened to get baptized" there, he had been "unaware" of their anti-LGBTQ+ stances.

That seemed enough to reassure some.

But others remained dubious, given that the Redding, California megachurch has made no secret of its anti-gay leanings, with one fan noting that the megachurch is seemingly promoting itself on Bassett's celebrity status.

A contestant from the Canadian edition of "Drag Race" even responded to Bassett's post; Eve 6000 left the tart comment, "Drive by baptism? Lol."

Others expressed worry on Bassett's behalf, as fans have done since the entertainer suddenly began posting about his religious experiences.

In one post, Bassett recounted how "A few months ago, I asked God to 'send me a sign when I write the truth.'"

"I typed 'Jesus is the way,'" Bassett went on to say. "Nothing happened, then I added, 'Jesus is the only way,' and the light turned on in my living room."

In another brush with the divine, Bassett talked about how he was praying in a church when he asked God to provide a sign by inspiring someone to touch him on the back. Two people did so, and they said they had felt an urge to join him in prayer.

"The experiences were richer and more vivid than anything in my entire life," Bassett testified to his followers.

Bassett made his comments as fans debated what his posts might mean, given that they seemed to come out of the blue. Some shared concerns around Bassett's upbringing in a "cultlike Christian theater group," while others maintained that his posts did not necessarily indicate an abrupt transition in the actor's life.

Those worries remained after Bassett announced his baptism at Bethel Church. "i know he was trying to clarify some things about his current state but I'm still worried about him even more after today," one fan tweeted.

"i really hope he's genuinely doing ok, and people who care about him are checking on him."