I Need Your Story

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” – Maya Angelou

Once upon a time, on a dark and stormy night…  okay, okay, I’m sure your story starts better than that.

This is Rob, Susan’s husband, writing today. : )

We all grow up with stories. Family stories, hometown stories, books we read, books read to us. We hear stories at school, at family gatherings, on television and in the movies. Stories are everywhere!

And we need yours.

Stories have always existed – to entertain, teach, pass on wisdom, record history, represent beliefs, explore new ideas, share experiences, build community, and express creativity.

We human beings seem to have a natural tendency to think, speak, be receptive to, and process our experiences in story.

Hearing stories of others breaks down the fears that underlie prejudice, and opens us up to the perspectives of others. Through story we see more easily the unique challenges of every individual, and how their beliefs and attitudes make sense within the context of their own experience.

We may still disagree but the door is cracked opened and we begin to see how that view makes sense within the story of a person’s life. As a result, we tend not to argue with story as we might with opinion.

We need your story.

The story of your journey — as a Christian LGBTQ, as the parent of an LGBTQ child… Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer – we want them all.

Your story will inspire and encourage others just like you – on a journey like yours, but maybe their journey that is just beginning. Your story will help restore hope or convince someone to courageously step out in a new direction or help bring reconciliation to a family.

Did I say this already? WE NEED YOUR STORY! : )

Here’s why…

Susan is compiling a book of stories of LGBTQ and their families. She’s looking for:

• How you came to reconcile you/your loved one’s coming out as LGBTQ
• Include any faith issues or questions you dealt with and how you reconciled them
• 500-1000 words is good, but use whatever number of words you need to tell your story
• Use whatever name you want to appear in the story — yours, or a pseudonym for privacy
• Include a photo(s) if you would like (if you’re out!)

The idea is to touch hearts, to begin to break down walls, to put a human face on a contentious issue, to inspire other people on a journey similar to yours.

Stories from various points-of-view – and especially stories that come from the same family, so we have both the LGBTQ person’s, and their parents’ stories, to see how they differ.  These could be any other family configuration – with parents, siblings, other family members, etc.

Or it can just be your story. : )

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”

Let it out. Share it with us and we will share it with others who need to hear and are willing to listen.

Just email your story (and photo, if you like) to Susan at:  [email protected]

Thank you.