Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash Sometimes I look back and wonder if it was worth it all: Coming Out. Well, I never actually came out on my own. I was outed.Thanks for reading The Latitudinarian! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
I'm not responsible for the hate people show me. Really struck a chord with me, so many years I felt guilty for being who I am because of how I thought it might effect others, but it's no longer my problem.
Oct 25, 2023·edited Oct 25, 2023Liked by Timothy McPherson
Maybe I have just been fortunate. My coming out was not traumatic ( but I did it on my own terms and not in the Central Territory). My corps was welcoming to me and my boyfriend, later fiancée, now my husband. Who by the way is on a first name basis with the NC. I taught the adult class , my CO and his wife were witnesses at our wedding. I had a ministry with others in the corps who had LGTBQ + family members. We now live in NC and the corps has been very welcoming. And I sing with the senior songsters. Participate in meetings etc. I can’t say I experience coming out again and again. I am
Just very comfortable with who I am. I figure other’s reactions are not in my control. I just chose to be myself with no
Pretenses. I am
Who I am, Who God made me. Your choice to accept or reject. I accept you for who
You are. Others reactions don’t define me or my character
I think part of the reason it has been different is I make it clear, my sexuality does not define me! It is not who I am. I don’t even like or use the term Gay Christian. There is a misleading distinction in using that term. My sexuality, like all of us, is a part of who I am, but a very small part. It doesn’t define my character. The only thing that defines me is my Christian faith in Jesus. That defines me! That is the umbrella under which I live. I do not hear heterosexual Christians declaring “I am a straight Christian”. They do not have to because they are not defined by their sexuality. What defines us is character. What defines our character is faith in Christ. My life is not lived any differently because of who I love. My character however I’d defined in that I love Jesus. So I am not any different from anyone else in my church, nor do I claim to be.
I'm not responsible for the hate people show me. Really struck a chord with me, so many years I felt guilty for being who I am because of how I thought it might effect others, but it's no longer my problem.
Those are kind words. Thank you!
I came out as bi a few years ago and completely recognize so much of this. good stuff Timothy.
I do appreciate that. I hope your own journey is full of peace.
Maybe I have just been fortunate. My coming out was not traumatic ( but I did it on my own terms and not in the Central Territory). My corps was welcoming to me and my boyfriend, later fiancée, now my husband. Who by the way is on a first name basis with the NC. I taught the adult class , my CO and his wife were witnesses at our wedding. I had a ministry with others in the corps who had LGTBQ + family members. We now live in NC and the corps has been very welcoming. And I sing with the senior songsters. Participate in meetings etc. I can’t say I experience coming out again and again. I am
Just very comfortable with who I am. I figure other’s reactions are not in my control. I just chose to be myself with no
Pretenses. I am
Who I am, Who God made me. Your choice to accept or reject. I accept you for who
You are. Others reactions don’t define me or my character
That is definitely not the norm. I am so glad it was that way for you.
I think part of the reason it has been different is I make it clear, my sexuality does not define me! It is not who I am. I don’t even like or use the term Gay Christian. There is a misleading distinction in using that term. My sexuality, like all of us, is a part of who I am, but a very small part. It doesn’t define my character. The only thing that defines me is my Christian faith in Jesus. That defines me! That is the umbrella under which I live. I do not hear heterosexual Christians declaring “I am a straight Christian”. They do not have to because they are not defined by their sexuality. What defines us is character. What defines our character is faith in Christ. My life is not lived any differently because of who I love. My character however I’d defined in that I love Jesus. So I am not any different from anyone else in my church, nor do I claim to be.