While covering the suicides , several media outlets focused on Applewhite 's sexuality ; the New York Post dubbed him " the Gay Guru " . Gay rights activist Troy Perry argued that Applewhite 's repression , and society 's rejection , of same @-@ sex relationships ultimately led to his suicide . This idea have failed to gain support among academics . Zeller argue that Applewhite 's sexuality was not the primary driving force behind his asceticism , which he believe resulted from a variety of factors , though he grant sexuality a role .