San Diego, California
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Ladonna Green (right) and her partner, Pat |
I am pastor of a local church plant who is reaching out to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered (GLBT), Vietnam vet, and the inner city straight community located in the Hillcrest area of San Diego.
My personal mission in life is to point folk to the saving grace of Jesus Christ and to bring together those Christian factions who disagree over the issue of homosexuality as a sin.
I spent 10 year affiliated with Exodus Int’l. The first five years as one of its pioneering leaders. I was the first staff person to be hired by Love in Action in 1977. I have spoken from the exgay perspective on radio, in front of church task forces, in a movie named ‘A Family Gone Wild,’ and have given various workshops throughout my Christian existence on both sides of the discussion.
Recently, (the last five years) I have come to reconcile my faith and my orientaiton and know that there is a higher order to this entire dialog. It was not without much turmoil and agony and travail before my God that I have found myself accepting my position in the Kingdom of God as a Christian who happens to be gay. I have felt called to be a mediator for quite a while. In fact, I can’t help but keep in touch with all my exgay and fundamental friends (sometimes much to their chagrin.
The importance of Lynchburg… An individual cannot begin to understand without meeting a REAL person from the "other side." It is only when we come face-to-face without fear and listen to each other that change happens and love germinates. I have been told that I am an "enigma" to them because they see Jesus all over me, but how can that be if I am gay? This is why I am going to Lynchburg… So other Christians can "see Jesus all over me." Hate and unthoughtful rhetoric are wiped out when fear is wiped away by loving response and exampled through nonviolent forms. The Lynchburg meeting is unprecedented in that both sides are putting away fear to listen and dialog. I knew I needed to be a part of it!