"My heroes: Gays face a hostile world with maturity"

Liberated Christians
PO Box 55045, Phoenix Az 85078-5045

Promoting Intimacy and Other-Centered Sexuality

COPYRIGHTED 1997 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - MAY BE REPRINTED OR QUOTED FROM ONLY IF CREDIT IS GIVEN LIBERATED CHRISTIANS, MAILING ADDRESS IS SHOWN AND WE ARE SENT A COPY OF PUBLICATION.

Note: Liberated Christians is a primarily about heterosexual relationships. While we are supportive of all sexual orientations, the leaders do not have the resources to assist them in their special issues. Thus, our Fellowship groups are not appropriate for gays/lesbians. However, individually Dave (an extreme heterosexual - Kinsey Scale= 0) has done extensive biblical research and has been active supporting biblical homosexuality for many years. However, there is no "official" stand as an organization on homosexuality other than general support.

Article in Arizona Republic 5/2/96

"My heroes: Gays face a hostile world with maturity"

I have a new hero. I have a whole bunch of new heroes, in fact.

They aren't famous, or part of history. And, as far as I know, none of them can leap tall buildings in a single bound.

They're all about my age, and relatively unknown, but they have strength of character and maturity that makes me envious.

They're also all gay or lesbian.

They spoke at a conference I attended to hear Joycelyn Elders speak. I expected the former surgeon general to awe and amaze me, but it was the youths who really amazed me.

They spoke to people attending the conference "Affirming Sexual Diversity: Meeting the Needs of Minority Youth" at Arizona State University.

One told the audience it was the one year anniversary of the day his parents kicked him out of the house, two days after his birthday. This followed months of conversion therapy and other efforts to make him straight.

Others talked about battles with parents, friends, schools, religion and themselves. One had to align his Catholic faith and his sexual orientation.

The youth shared stories of turmoil, fear, pain and hate; of courage, hope, strength and love.

Some faced harassment at school including one who said he was physically attacked about once a week.

For some, their worst nightmares came true. They lost friends, family and loved ones when they came out. Some had friends who abandoned them, then told others at school.

Others were met with love and open arms, and their coming out strengthened friendships with people they never thought would be there for them

One girl said she was in tears when she told her parents. They completely accepted her, and said they had thought something was really wrong.

It didn't matter how everyone's individual stories ended. They survived.

They survived with their humor intact and enough faith in the human race to think they can be educated.

That was what impressed me most. So often people emerge from such emotional events bitter and disillusioned. These people haven't given up. They are strong, courageous and willing to help people learn. They are my heroes.

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