Let’s face it. Americans bring sex into everything from toothpaste to cars, yet most of us have a hard time affirming sexuality as a “good gift of God.” And if it’s hard to talk about sexuality in an open, honest, caring way, it may seem nearly impossible to talk about differences in sexual orientation. One reason is that when people think “sex,” they tend to think of sexual behavior. But sexuality encompasses a lot more than behavior. Sexuality is how we understand and express our gender; how we grow and change over the years; how we view our bodies; how we relate to each other; whom we like, love, and are attracted to; how we reproduce; how we’re alike and different in appearance and behavior; what we believe is important; and much, much more....
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How would you feel if...
...The new senior pastor saw your name in a gay-friendly church publication and convinced the church council to demand your immediate resignation. You’ve been the Director of Christian Education and Youth Ministry for 17 years and have been loved by a generation of children and their families.
...You told your father how much you and your partner were looking forward to coming to Aunt Mary’s for Thanksgiving, and he replied that you were welcome, but your partner wasn’t.
...You couldn’t eat lunch in peace in your high school cafeteria, because the other students were calling you “faggot” and “girlie” and throwing food at you, while the teachers stood by and did nothing.
Or...
“After my son came out to me, I was tormented by the thought of what he’d been listening to me say about gays all those years, parroting the words of our church. I immediately found a church where our whole family is welcome....”
“At my children’s school, the worst names the kids can think of calling each other are ‘fag’ and ‘dyke.’ At least at church they’re getting a positive message that helps them feel good about our family. That means so much to me.”
“We were both raised in the church, and the thought of having our wedding anywhere else never occurred to us. We’re so grateful to be part of a welcoming congregation. Families opened their homes to our relatives, put on the reception for us, and even hosted a bridal shower.”
