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Are You About to Come Out to Your Christian Parents? If so, this is a Must Read.

October 11, 2017 By Susan Cottrell

Coming out to your Christian parents can be a real risk. You put everything on the line, and you don’t know what will happen. Will they come alongside you? Or disown you? I’m a Christian mom of five kids. My oldest daughter came out about 8 years ago and soon after, my youngest daughter came out. We embraced them immediately, but many parents don’t. I just filmed a video for The Advocate magazine that is specifically for people who are… Read more

Did Your Child Just Come Out to You? If so, This is a Must Read!

October 10, 2017 By Susan Cottrell

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Hey fellow Moms and Dads. You may feel like a deer in the headlights! Your child just told you: “Mom, I’m gay,” “Dad, I’m lesbian,” “I’m bisexual,” or “I’m transgender.” I know! This is the last thing you want to hear, and your head is spinning. What does this mean? What will become of my child? What did I do wrong?! I understand. This can be a very hard time for you. But you can get through this. My name… Read more

What is the Biggest Threat to Christianity? Jesus!

October 3, 2017 By Susan Cottrell

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We have been betrayed by those closest to us. We have written about being shamed, shunned and judged, and how our faith has been questioned. We have talked about people who tell us we are leading people into hell. All “in God’s name.” Usually from those in the nonaffirming, conservative church. Why? Because of our love, support and advocacy for our daughters and other LGBTQI people. Of course, they don’t see it that way. There are people in this group… Read more

Finding Freedom from Focus on the Family’s ‘Gospel of Exclusion’

September 28, 2017 By Susan Cottrell

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When Amber Cantorna came out, her father– an executive at Focus on the Family– completely rejected her. She now tells her story. Read more

The Root Cause of Self-Harming Behavior in the LGBTQI Community

September 21, 2017 By Susan Cottrell

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Cutting, drug-abuse, suicide. Way too often we hear the tragic story of another LGBTQI person struggling. Is there a core issue, a common reason? I believe there is. We cannot underestimate the impact of family and faith-based rejection. Of being told that you are an abomination to God, of being kicked out of homes and rejected by the very people who were supposed to love you no matter what. Recently, a Mom contacted me about her gay son. I wanted… Read more

Christians, Does the Nashville Statement Reflect Your Heart?

August 31, 2017 By Susan Cottrell

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The Nashville Statement is not new. These same evangelical people have been conveying this message for decades. The results have been absolutely tragic in individuals, in families, and in our churches. Instead of making an honest evaluation—as so many Christians have done and then became fully affirming—this group decided to double down. This does not reflect the heart of God. Jesus said people will know we are Christians by our love. Does the Nashville Statement reflect love? The radical, unconditional… Read more

You May Think I’m Wrong About LGBTQI. So, Now What?

August 3, 2017 By Robert Cottrell

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I am fully affirming of LGBTQI people BECAUSE of my faith, not in spite of it. I came to believe what I believe after extensive theological study, my own life experience, examining the lived experience of others, research, prayer, and following the leading of the Holy Spirit. It was a journey. All I did was stay on it, take the next step, and love – while God brought answers. I am now more in love with God, with Jesus, with… Read more

Can My Young Child Know If They Are Gay?

July 12, 2017 By Susan Cottrell

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“Stop letting awful parents put these labels on young children! It is going to destroy their lives!” We hear some version of this every day. What these people don’t realize is that it is not the parent who is doing anything, it is the child driving the vast majority of these conversations. Gender identity and orientation are complex issues and it can be especially difficult and confusing when your child is young. But the best response can be surprisingly simple…. Read more

Flowers for the Living

July 5, 2017 By Susan Cottrell

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It was a big day nonetheless. Graduating from seminary, I enjoyed family and friends here to celebrate, and so many more cheering me on from afar. I felt loved, valued, appreciated, seen, and heard! Gifts and well wishes rained down from Mamas in FreedHearts Moms, my secret online support group. I received many more wishes from so many friends online—even the many I haven’t met in person but who have expressed their love and appreciation. I felt that my life… Read more

Margaret Court’s Outdated Game With the LGBTQI Community

June 22, 2017 By Susan Cottrell

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Margaret Court was the name in Women’s Tennis. She was the best in the world. She set records. The Australian Open’s Court Arena bears her name. But her game is sadly out of date. She would not have even a teensy-weensy chance against the 100th ranked player today, let alone Serena. Not. A. Chance. Bless her heart. I admire her tennis—for the day she played it. Today it’s anachronistic; that is, it’s out of the sequence of time. It’s old,… Read more