Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered and Heterosexual
People of Faith
young and old, from near and far, of many races
joining together for a common purpose
Soulforce delegates on the Journey to Lynchburg
were invited to write answers to three questions:
Who am I?
How have I been impacted by hate speech?
Why am I going to Lynchburg?
These are a few of their responses.
Click on the name to read the story
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 Daphne BurtFredericksburg, Virginia As one who has been healed by the power of God’s unconditional love, I am committed to declaring that love to all of God’s children – and find myself quite mystified by those who see the need to "protect" God from loving the "wrong" people… | |||
 Ladonna GreenSan Diego, California 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… | |||
 Bob Henrikson"But they’re still fags," I keep hearing over and over in my mind. It seems that no matter how decent, how loving, how faithful, moral or honest gay and lesbian people present themselves, they are still perceived as something less than human… | |||
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 Maggie HeinemanPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania I have been … a gayrights cyberactivist since 1995. … An exgay man and I founded the cyberspace initiative "Bridges Across the Divide" … | |||
 Saundra Farmer -WileyKihei, Hawaii The lies that were told about us and the venom with which Christians spoke at us as we did sign waving were both frightening and bewildering to me… | |||
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 Robert WinsorRichmond, Virginia Anyone meeting me would comment that I am a "nice man" – a "good man." In short, I am any man until I confirm that I am gay. Then some people may find me queer…. | |||
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 Karla Lee FleshmanHavertown, Pennsylvania I am not a monster in the grips of Satan trying to undermine the American Family, but rather I am part of the American Family. I go to Lynchburg as an act of anger transformed into positive love-filled action toward those who would call me by names other than "child of God"… | |||
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 Pam GarrettsonCatonsville, Maryland When I finally began to recognize my sexuality as a gift, I vowed that I would life my life openly and courageously in a way that would help change things for myself and for other gay folks. … [S]triving to love and forgive opens up a place where enemies can become friends… | |||
 Mike PerezSeattle, Washington My family…thought I was the smart one that hopefully would be the first to make it to college. Privately they worried that I was a sissy… | |||
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 Philip DeitchSt. Louis, Missouri In my professional work as a diversity facilitator and in my personal life, I have seen the effects of discrimination and hate crimes… | |||
 L Clyde CarterDaleville, Virginia I feel God is calling me to Lynchburg. I have struggled with my own homophobia… | |||
 Mary HaymanFlint, Michigan I lived 40 years as half a person. Denial took up a lot of my energy. I denied to myself that I was a lesbian until… | |||
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 Douglas DonleySan Francisco, California I was denied ordination twice because I refused to say that homosexuality is a sin. I could not live with integrity as a minister if I forsook some of my sisters and brothers… | |||
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 Mark HoldbrooksBoulder, Colorado I was told that changing my sexual orientation would be extremely hard to do, would take a very long time and that it may not work. With the odds against me, I set out to do just that. For the next fifteen years… | |||
 Fred HammondDanbury, Connecticut I needed to know God’s love for me was personal and that his love was real. As I prayed this prayer, the answer began to sink in… | |||
 Ken MartinManor, Texas In an uncontrolled rage, his father attempted to shoot Ramon. Instead, he shot and killed Ramon’s three-year-old sister…I have witnessed countless examples… | |||
 Gary RimarShelby Township, Michigan Because of the bondage of this misinformation, many people spend incredible amounts of time dealing with phantom issues… |
