We always check in here when JW "change" is in the air. Surprised to see the official JW site made the announcement immediately. Smart move to keep the rank and file off these "alternative" sites.
Today's announcement and some of these threads, especially the old resurrected older ones, gave me a chuckle and brought back some mid-70s memories of Bethel.
I was born into a three-generation San Francisco JW family. Members of our family had been in and out of Gilead, branch offices, traveling work, and NYC Bethel since the 1940s. I had heard many, many juicy Bethel stories from family members. My local congregation had always had a number of "NPGs" (Non-practicing gay) members, and I had grown up accepting that this was normal even though I was, and still am hetero.
As a kid I attended trade school, pioneered, and went to Bethel. When I arrived at Bethel I WAS surprised at just HOW MANY MORE NPGs were part of the Bethel family compared to even San Francisco. It was obvious to me, despite some having married clueless JW women as "beards". VP GB Fred Franz's use of the Sauna with young Bethelites "For Bible discussions" was weird.... even for me.
I had one funny memory of GB Member "Chitty-Chitty-bang bang" one sunny afternoon on the rooftop gym of the Squib Building during a late lunch break. Chitty was the only person up there, the old dude was wearing a TINY little "Speedo" swimsuit (very unusual gym attire- I.M.O. :) lol He asked me where I was from. I answered my work department..he replied "no what city?" When I answered "San Francisco" - I could have sworn stars were in his eyes and the "look of love" was playing in the background. He quickly whipped out a bottle of suntan oil and asked me to rub it on his bum. I declined and said I had to go.
When I got back to work I mentioned the incident and the guys all laughed. The department head in disbelief shot up there and came back very disturbed and announced Chitty was tanning his ass.
Hearing of GB member Bang-Bang being asked to leave Bethel all hush -hush did not surprise me. GB Tight pants Tony is only one of a long list. I guess the Holy Spirit is confused as to who to appoint.