March 31 was Transgender Day of Visibility. With all the conversation about who we pee next to, I wondered if you could tell who was actually a transgender woman. Can you spot her? Can you tell? Do you care? Unfortunately, many seem to care – especially those in the nonaffirming church – and they have responded with fear-mongering and vicious lies, trying to make this about the safety of our children. Honestly, they should be ashamed of themselves. Anyone who… Read more
November 16, 2018
Which Woman is Transgender? And Why it Doesn’t Matter.
November 16, 2018 By Susan Cottrell
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March 29, 2018
Is Your Theology on LGBTQ Right or Wrong? Take this Easy Test.
March 29, 2018 By Susan Cottrell
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Today’s cultural landscape seems designed to divide us. News and social media practically push us to one end of the spectrum or the other, on whatever issue. This is binary or dual thinking because it offers only two choices, even for the most complex layered issues. We stampede over people in our rush to be right. Christians—with Jesus in common—likewise trample people in their quest to be right. They too choose sides in complex questions. (Gender roles, providing for the… Read more
March 27, 2018
What Happened in Just 5 Years
March 27, 2018 By Susan Cottrell
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When I learned that Alex’s mother threw dishes at her and threw her down the stairs because she’s gay—that’s the day I knew I had to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. I’d been educating myself since my two daughters came out—nearly a decade ago now—and I was shocked by what I learned: A scant 6 verses have been misinterpreted and abused to marginalize and oppress our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters. Duplicitous Christians stand firmly against “gays” while abuses of power… Read more
March 15, 2018
I’m the Dad of Two Queer Kids. Are You Listening?
March 15, 2018 By Robert Cottrell
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Every time I tell our story, and I say that I have two queer daughters, I have to add a disclaimer. Usually something like, “that’s the phrase they chose.” If I don’t, it is inevitable that I will get confronted on my use of the word queer. It is an immediate reminder that while we may have come so far, we have so far to go. Why should a label matter so much? If you knew my two daughters, it… Read more
January 4, 2018
Doesn’t God Tell Us To Hate Evil? (This Could Change Everything!)
January 4, 2018 By Susan Cottrell
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Alarming numbers of young people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer are becoming homeless, kicked out of families and churches, choosing substance abuse, and even making the tragic decision to end their own lives. What are we called to do? When certain Pharisees — the ones who were focused on behaving the “right” way instead of loving — were nose-to-nose with Jesus, they missed him! They didn’t understand at all. You may be doing the same thing. This… Read more
October 3, 2017
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
September 28, 2017
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
September 21, 2017
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
August 31, 2017
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
August 3, 2017
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
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