Editing Marshall Applewhite (section)

==Career==
Applewhite moved to New York City in an unsuccessful attempt to begin a professional singing career upon finishing his education in Colorado.{{sfn|Associated Press, March 28, 1997}} He then taught at the [[University of Alabama]] (UA).{{sfn|Chryssides|2004|p=355}} Applewhite lost his position there after pursuing a sexual relationship with a male student;{{sfn|Balch|Taylor|2002|p=210}} society was not supportive of same-sex relationships and he was subsequently frustrated by his sexual desires.{{sfnm|1a1=Balch|1a2=Taylor|1y=2002|1p=210|2a1=Raine|2y=2005|2p=107–8}} He separated from his wife when she learned of the affair in 1965, and they divorced three years later.{{sfnm|Raine|2005|1p=103|Lewis|2003|2p=111}} When Applewhite revealed to his parents that he was homosexual, his father rejected him.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GMmkrXMLDw |title=Heaven's Gate cult members record farewell messages: 20/20 'The Cult Next Door' Preview |publisher=YouTube |date=2022-03-11 |accessdate=2022-03-17}}</ref>

In 1965, after leaving UA, Applewhite moved to [[Houston]] to serve as chair of the music department at the [[University of St. Thomas (Texas)|University of St. Thomas]].{{sfnm|Raine|2005|1p=103|Chryssides|2004|2p=355|Zeller, "Extraterrestrial Biblical Hermeneutics"|2010|p=39}} His students regarded him as an engaging speaker and a stylish dresser.{{sfnm|Zeller|2006|1p=77|Bearak|1997}} He also became a locally popular singer, serving as the choral director of an [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal]] church and performing with the [[Houston Grand Opera]].{{sfnm|Zeller, "Extraterrestrial Biblical Hermeneutics"|2010|1p=39|Davis|2000|2p=245|Associated Press, March 28, 1997}} In Houston, Applewhite was briefly [[coming out|openly gay]] but also pursued a relationship with a young woman, who left him under pressure from her family; he was greatly upset by this outcome.{{sfnm|Raine|2005|1p=103|Bearak|1997}} He resigned from the University of St. Thomas in 1970, citing [[depression (mood)|depression]] and other emotional problems.{{sfnm|Chryssides|2004|1p=355|Urban|2000|2p=276}} [[Robert Balch]] and David Taylor, sociologists who studied Applewhite's group, speculate that this departure was prompted by another affair between Applewhite and a student.{{sfn|Balch|Taylor|2003|p=215}} The president of the university later recalled that Applewhite was often mentally jumbled and disorganized near the end of his employment.{{sfn|Hall|2000|pp=150–1}}

In 1971, Applewhite briefly moved to New Mexico, where he operated a [[delicatessen]]. He was popular with customers but decided to return to Texas later that year.{{sfnm|Hall|2000|1p=151|Bearak|1997}} Applewhite's father died around that time; the loss took a significant emotional toll on him, causing severe depression.{{sfnm|Lewis|2003|1p=111|Davis|2000|2p=245}} His debts mounted, leading him to borrow money from friends.{{sfn|Bearak|1997}}