Dear Scotty,

I’m glad to hear that you are more comfortable with your sexuality and yourself. I am also very happy to hear that your spiritual journey continues on and you are growing closer to Christ.

I’ve worked with the MCC before (in various countries and incarnations), and I have always believed that they do excellent work in tending to the needs of God’s children. It always warms my heart to see that they continue to do so!

Yours in Christ,

Raul

thats great news Scotty.

From my experience just accepting that we are gay or lesbian…….doesn’t automatically mean we have everything sorted

Neither does coming out mean automatic resolution………………………..Its a journey.

Some come out…..go back in. I did it three times

Some come out but remain troubled for some time.

Some come out and never look back……experiencing an enormous sense of release and freedom.

ooooops. Just realised that I have described the variety of experiences people go through when they become christians as well………never thought of it that way before…. 😀

Hi everyone,

Just thought I’d give a quick update on life… it’s crazy to think that only a month and a half ago I posted my story here.

Since then, I’ve met some really cool like-minded people and started to check out Crave MCC which I am loving. Great to get around people that want to see the best in you.

In terms of coming out, it has been a continuing challenge with family and I have also experienced some mild opposition from Church, however it’s been a really great process to go through for me on a personal level- I feel so much more relaxed and comfortable in myself which I really wasn’t expecting… evidently there is something powerful in not hiding who you are. As well, it’s sparked some interesting discussion with some of my straight friends as well as a few mates in the gay scene as to how I am continuing to reconcile faith and sexuality. No regrets 🙂

Scott.

i think you will find this friday night helpful…….along with lots of others I guess. http://www.freedom2b.org/event/1031

its foundational to us moving forward…..understanding how our sexual identity is linked to our self image and ultimately our self esteem.

Hi Scott,

When I read,

“…Of the friends I have left, and particularly through my old church, they will refuse to sit next to me at services and other just little stuff to let me know I don’t fit..”

I could totally identify. I was having a similar crisis a little while back and among the things that helped was reading your story on this thread 🙂 I thought I might share how I have dealt with it. I see it as a massively challenging exercise in being gracious and hopefully be able to leave each Sunday night with a clear conscience.

“When offence is given and hurt is done, the customary human response is withdrawl, the reinforcing of the walls of the private self, with all that this implies about asserting one’s own humanity as a possession rather than receiving it as gift. The unforgiven and the unforgiving cannot see the other as someone who is part of God’s work of bestowing humanity on them”

It does take a toll on one’s self-esteem. I have felt rotten on many an occasion and I have had a few ministers (and church staff) behave badly towards me. But there have been many rewarding moments… discovering new friendships/supporters in unexpected people… finding friends who are willing to reinvest in our friendship after they have seen other people behave badly… and this in turn can influence the behaviour of those who have previously been not very nice!

Just don’t let their behaviour change who you are, and how you relate to people 🙂 I personally think you are awesome!!! I’m 25 and I cannot imaging doing what you are doing at 18!!

“Let the excellence of your life be your highest form of protest”