I came out in my church last Sunday

[dsc]

Our church is struggling with the extent to which it will become open and affirming of gay people. After the pride experience where the worship service was protested by the Concord group. Then we had a praise service at our church where one of us told of her experience at pride and that we were forming a chapter of the gay, lesbian and affirming deciples at the church. An elderly parishoner interupted and compared us to murderers and child molesters. Eventually we continued with the service and it was my turn for special music. I proceded to describe pride and tell my faith story before singing Amazing Grace. It was both scary and exhilarating at the same time.

I don't know what future is in store for my church but after the reactions I got I think we are going to win this one.

[JuniperLea]

1. Be true to God's child... you

He made you the person you are. Never forget that:)

[dsc]

3. I try not to

I had a pretty rough weekend. It was hard to just shake it off and go back to work.

[JuniperLea]

4. That was a major thing you did

No doubt it shook you to your soul!

But you have lived to tell:)

[dsc]

5. I was very nervous

I mean some people knew but the telling was still hard. I was close to tears while singing the song. We had sung Amazing Grace to get the protestors to stop, and the main one actually ran away, so I had chosen it particularly for this occasion.

[JuniperLea]

7. Jesus never turned his back on anyone

Those to protest against a child of God because of fear and hate are not behaving in a very Christ-like manner. Jesus would have hugged you and told you he was glad you were there.

I feel sad for people who can't love their brothers and sisters.

[dsc]

12. The supreme irony

is that while they did make a bit of a mess of our service they had the opposite affect that they intended. After calmly singing Amazing Grace made the main guy run it really steeled us. I never would have done what I did, and I don't think she would have done what she did, had that not happened.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

8. That was amazingly brave and so wonderful.

I bet you made a lot of people challenge their established views by coming out. Way to go! :yourock: That is awesome.
Next time we both make it to a meetup, I'd love to buy you a dessert or something... I'm proud of the fact that I've gotten to meet you in real life, and I know that the more people get to meet the real you, they'll be struck by how different you are from their perceived sterotype. That breaking of stereotypes is so powerful. We need all the allies that we can find...Also, there's a need for persons who aren't quite allies, but have met a gay person IRL, and see no reason why that person should be treated any differently than others in society. These people may never take the next step and become our supporters, but others will. And that is why what you did is so special. You opened the door to let others see the real you-- and be faced with the fact that they KNOW a gay person.

:hug:

Congrats!

[dsc]

11. I really appreciate that

I hope to make Octobers but am tied up this weekend and next weekend plus the AIDS action is the next weekend. It is tiring being gay lol. Other than this weekend, my dad is in town, I have had gay activities every weekend for the last month plus the following two weekends. I most definately am not the stereotypical gay though you haven't seen me in a pe class yet.

[wtmusic]

2. .

Congrats, dsc. :thumbsup: Takes a lot of courage.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

6. I have pictures of the protestors from pride, should you want them.

Also the video of police starting to shut him down and make the hate stop! :hi:

Not great quality- all were taken with camera phone, but they're there... and it has audio with the video.

[dsc]

14. I would really love that

I had no idea you were there. What form is the video in?

[ncrainbowgrrl]

15. Yeah, I was there- part of the human wall to block him from being seen

across the street.

The video is in some strange format- camera video format- but I can convert it to a .mov or .avi file, I think. I'll grab them on monday for you- I left the phone converter cable in my office-- it serves also as a USB phone charger.

[dsc]

16. Good for you

I was totally surprised to be honest that I was so calm as I can run a little hot. I actually wouldn't have minded them just protesting outside the thing but inside our service I thought was very out of line. I would never interupt their communion.

I can run both avi and mov but would prefer mov if at all possible. Thanks again.

[terrya]

9. Thank you for posting this.

Shame on that elderly parishoner. To utter those vile things in a houaw od God. Shame on that person.

What you did took so much courage. That was beautiful.

There is so much negativity around here lately. This is so...positive.

Thank you.

[dsc]

10. Thanks

She actually steeled my resolve. I had written it all out, was ready to say it, but still wondering if I would go through with it and then she pulled that stunt and I decided to go for it.

[LeftCoast]

13. Congrats on coming out to your church!

I can't imagine how scary that must've been!

[Sapphocrat]

17. ...

:thumbsup: :hug:

[Tyo]

18. It's good that you let the elderly parishioner speak

People who oppose or misunderstand us need to have their say. That doesn't mean that we'll bring them around but if we silence them in their own community it almost guarantees that we WON'T bring them around.

[NMMNG]

19. Get thee to the Greatest Page

You deserve it for your bravery. :applause:

[davidinalameda]

20. good for you!

:hug:

[rucky]

21. Mazel Tov!

:yourock:

huevos mas grande, DSC

[cboy4]

22. Very Brave!

:bounce: :thumbsup:

[intheflow]

23. You don't say where you're from.

But I hope your church decides in favor of love for all of God's children, and not just certain ones. And if not, perhaps you'll be able to find a spiritual home in one of these solidly GLBTQ-friendly churches:

United Church of Christ: http://www.ucc.org/
Metropolitan Community Church: http://www.mccchurch.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home
Unitarian Universalist Association: http://www.uua.org

[dsc]

24. I live in a small city in eastern North Carolina called Wilson

the church is a Disciples of Christ (Christian) church. We are loosely affiliated with the UCC.

[intheflow]

40. We have an awesome Disciples' minister in my town.

He works on behalf of peace and justice and I know he would accept you into his congregation. But living in the deep south, I know he also struggles with congregants who are not as open and accepting of God's beautiful human diversity. May you be blessed on your journey, and may your congregation be enlightened by your witness.

And thanks for giving me the head's up on the Disciples/UCC affiliation. I didn't know that, and it's a very good thing to know. :)

[whirlygigspin]

25. hmm, reminds me of this....

'finally I call upon the Apostles of the last times, the faithful disciples of Jesus Christ who have lived in a contempt for the world and for themselves, in poverty and in humility, in contempt and in silence, in prayer and in mortification, in chastity and in union with God, in suffering and unknown to the world. It is time that they go out and come to enlighten the earth. Go, and show yourselves as my dear children; I am with you and in you, provided that your faith be the light which enlightens you in these days of woe. May your zeal render you like the starving for the glory and honor of Jesus Christ. Fight, children of light, you the small number who can see; for behold the time of times, the end of ends.’


Melanie Calvat

[RedXIII]

32. An Addition to the list....

http://www.dignityusa.org/

[intheflow]

41. Thanks, RedXIII!

I wasn't aware of this group, but I know some people who identify as Catholic because that's how they grew up, but haven't been attending anywhere because they're gay. I'm going to pass this link along to them. :hi:

[Not Me]

26. Good for you!!

I too attend (and am a deacon) in the UCC. Our church, though very welcoming, has yet to formally subscribe to the "Open and Affirming" program. That is something I hope to change in the coming year.

Never hide. Especially in the face of God.

[dsc]

28. I hope you can manage that

It is important that it is put in words so LGBT know they are welcome.

[knitter4democracy]

27. Good hymn pick--Amazing Grace was about slavery.

A former slave ship captain wrote it about when he gave up the trade when he had a born again experience. Some of the other 12 verses talk about it.

Remember: God doesn't make trash. Humans make trash. God made you as a wonderful, grace-filled being, and you are. Singing out of love is something only a God-filled being can do. You are a beautiful, loved person just the way you are. Never fear those who have filled their hearts with fear and hate. They are filled with darkness and don't realize it.

[dsc]

29. I love the story behind that song

I picked at Pride mostly due to the fact that we all would know it but the story makes it even better.

[LiberalArkie]

34. I found out a long time ago, that people who are so centered on the

Old Testament have the most problem. Those that are centered on Christ's words and actions, and want so much to be like Christ, that have that burning feeling that they must think like Christ do not have any problem with gays at all. After all who did Jesus socialize with but the outcasts of his days, in fact the ones the Old Testament say to shun. One day I hope the people that call themselves Christians will start trying to be like Christ instead of following the teaching of Moses.

[intheflow]

44. Please be careful about this kind of sweeping statement.

In the first place, what Christians call the Old Testament is what Jews call the Tanak, the Hebrew scriptures. I know you didn't mean this, but to say that the OT is most of the problem in Christianity could be "heard" as being anti-Semitic. Particularly since I can think of many New Testament passages that have been used to oppress people--and the Jews come to mind. Really almost any part of the Christian bible can be twisted into something ugly and oppressive.

Particularly, I'd like to remind you that the story of Moses has been instrumental in the course of Christianity for the liberation women (Miriam is a strong role-model) and African Americans (Moses freed the Hebrew slaves).

[Forrest Greene]

30. Congratulations!

I'm straight, but I've had plenty of experience being considered, & treated like, an outsider. One of the best remarks on the subject I ever heard came from an anonymous gay male in a radio interview, who said, "No experience in life is better than being yourself."

[readmoreoften]

31. Congrats, dsc!

Keep being brave.

--RMO

[Siyahamba]

33. Though it's been said many times, congratulations

I have to admire you and all those who are out in non-open and affirming congregations and denominations. It's been proven many times that people are far more likely to support equality when they personally know someone who is gay.

[DarkTirade]

35. Anyone who would compare someone who is sexually interested in

another consenting adult to a murderer and/or a child molester is obviously an idiot, or a knee-jerk reactionary who doesn't bother to use what powers of intellect he or she was born with. Which adds up to the same thing really.

[Rowdyboy]

36. I'm very proud for you! Our church (Episcopal) had a meeting on the....

subject last fall. Only two people expressed opposition, and I spoke my peace which was basically my "coming out".

Of the two jerks, only one is a real asshole and this week we heard that he, his bovine wife and three loud children are moving to North Carolina. Thanks be to God...

[dsc]

38. Gee thanks

Just what we need another asshole. At least he isn't a Disciple.

[Dragonbreathp9d]

37. Bravery, one of man's highest virtues

[mitchtv]

39. Thanks

:toast: :hug:

[BR_Parkway]

42. Congratulations and bless you dsc, I know the area you are in

and open and welcoming aren't the first couple of words that come to mind when I think of gay folks in that neck of the woods. My partner is from down that way, most of his family doesn't acknoledge that I even exist. That took a lot of courage, especially after the woman spewed her bigotry to the congregation.

[dsc]

43. She actually steeled my spine

I decided after seeing her display that come Hell or high water I would do this. I am sorry your partner's family is so awful towards you. You deserve better.