This is part 2 of a serious of articles I am writing about my deep commitment to my LGBTQ+ children’s well-being, my growing commitment to the LGBTQ+ community, and my spirituality of faith which leans in a traditional direction towards Eastern Rite Catholicism, not a conservative direction. If you look at my Facebook page, you will find Democratic Socialist politics and a commitment to marginalized communities. And I proudly support the separation of Church and State, the bodily autonomy of patients and my own children, and human rights of all people without exception and my own children’s human rights. Many might think that this cannot co-exist with the life of a Church nerd like me, but I have now consistently found that this is not the case. Every single progressive minister and lay person I have met from Catholicism to Eastern Orthodoxy, mainline Protestantism, and even other religions supports unconditional love, justice, mercy, liberation, freedom, and is consistently LGBTQ+ affirming from more traditional to liberal spaces. It is about the convictions and the actions of the individual, not the institutional Church. Particularly in Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, there are extensive teachings honoring the human dignity of all people without exception. We can see these teachings play out in Pope Leo’s XIV’s feud with Donald Trump and his anti-war stances. These teachings should be applied to every person who walks this earth and especially marginalized communities like LGBTQ+ people.
In my first article, I laid the groundwork of how I am trying to integrate my love for the ancient faith, my love and commitment to my children, and my husband’s love and commitment to our children as well. Since our first child came out lesbian five years ago and an additional adult child who came out transgender two years ago, I feel like I’ve had to choose between my commitment to my LGBTQ+ children and my own spiritual health. I only shop in stores who honor the LGBTQ+ community; I keep only close friends who support the LGBTQ+ community, and I align with organizations who support the LGBTQ+ community. The only area which has been impossible for me to reconcile is my deep love for the ancient Christian faith and my commitment to my children to fully-accept, affirm, and support them. I stepped away from the ancient faith about 1.5 years ago, and it nearly destroyed my mind, body, and soul. Considering that I am navigating Parkinson’s Disease, a heart condition, and my own professional practice who serves the disability community, I can no longer stay away from the ancient faith and spiritual practices while surviving such challenging health conditions and having the strength to support my caseload which serves 25 people with disabilities and their families on a weekly basis. Hopefully by now, my children and the LGBTQ+ community know that I will choose them hand-over-fist, even it involves the spiritual destruction of my own mind, body, and soul. But I think those who love me in the LGBTQ+ community and my children would not want this to happen to me just as they know I want only good for them. Service to Mama Dragons and LGBTQ+ parent ministry will continue on. The head leadership of Mama Dragons are practicing Mormon’s, so yes, this is being done.
In my first article, I spoke about my encounter with an openly-gay Eastern Orthodox priest named Father Matthew Christopher and his husband named Father Uriel Patrick-Joan. For those of you who know anything about Eastern Orthodoxy, Eastern Rite Catholicism, or major Eastern religions of any kind, an openly-gay married Eastern Orthodox clergy couple is almost unheard of. Eastern culture and religion at their essence are patriarchal and binary. On the other hand, Eastern spirituality, culture, and family traditions are deeply-rich in beauty and can be soul-soothing for many. These experiences can be very true in all major Eastern religions and practices.
Again, if you are not aware of how many LGBTQ+ people practice various religious traditions, here is a pie chart which shows the breakdown from UCLA. LGBTQ+ people exist in every corner of society, both liberal and traditional religions, the workforce, and most spaces. They must be fully-accepted for who they are, fully-integrated into society, and have their humanity honored. Otherwise, we are imposing harm and even death wishes on them. Simply, it’s called being a decent human being and loving our neighbor as ourselves.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In