“When I told my Dad I was gay he just said, ‘Well, I guess you are on your own.’ and hung up the phone.” How deep the need for our father’s approval — even just for his hug. And from a mother too. Even in our 40’s and 50’s and later in life, that need is as real and present as it was when we were little.Over the next two days, I would like to share with you the incredibly... Read more
Did you see the mass wedding ceremony on last night’s Grammy Awards show? It was incredible. Tears flowed as a sea of couples got married — straight and gay — during a live performance of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ Same Love. Incredibly bold and beautifully moving. Unforgettable. As I sat watching, I read a story about some Indiana Republicans who had passed a law criminalizing clergy who marry gay couples. Now honestly, you have to get the contrast. The weddings spoke love, acceptance, goodness... Read more
My son came out to his dad and I last night. His dad kicked him out. So I am now in a hotel with my son. Home is where the heart is and tonight that makes Motel 6 home. <3 No definition of real love includes throwing out your gay child. That’s more like hate, condemnation, conditional acceptance – and that should have no place in a person who claims to follow Jesus. It is so unlike Christ. My friend’s... Read more
It’s an awful position to be in. It is a heart wrenching conflict between a parent’s love for a child and their faith. But think about it… those two things should never be in conflict! If they are, something is off-track. I want to share with you a comment/question that I received from a parent in just such a situation, along with my response… Comment / Question: Thanks for all of your support, Susan. This has really helped me a... Read more
Can we talk about the choir at the GCN conference? Oh. My. Gosh. What a beautiful and amazing group of mostly gay men, a few lesbian women and some parents. The voices. The harmonies. Brought tears to my eyes. But beyond the voices was the spirit: of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness… Early on in the conference, they announced that the choir would sing Sunday morning, anyone welcome, only two rehearsals, an hour max each. I really wanted to sing!... Read more
We headed toward the front and slipped into the seats behind my friend, to await Rachel Held Evans’ keynote talk. My friend’s husband turned around to me and said, “You have made such a difference to my wife. Your blog and your love have restored her faith.” Deeply touched, I patted his arm and said, “Thank you!” I sat back and shared with my husband those very kind words. After the talk was over, my friend’s husband turned around to... Read more
My brother Paul was mentally and physically handicapped. His right arm was paralyzed from a birth defect, and he walked with a limp. He had the same genes of intelligence the rest of us kids had but limited understanding. Brain damage caused by lack of oxygen at birth. So he had a strange mix smart and not smart. He could recite the state capitals in alphabetical order, and he surprised us with insight into the conversation — like an epiphany —... Read more
“I felt the earth shake under my feet, I was horrified, shamed, and considered suicide. I confessed my relationship to my leaders. Then the nightmare began.” To all my friends, including new friends from the GCN Conference, so glad you are here. I was eager to write about the conference, but I am very sick. On the couch, tissues in hand. : ( So today, I am posting a story that a FreedHearts reader shared with me, which I share with... Read more
My heart is brimming with God’s love for some 700 LGBTQ men and women and supportive family! I spent four days at the Gay Christian Network Conference in Chicago with this group of gays, lesbians, transgender men and women at every point on the journey. Some believe God blesses same-sex, committed relationships (Side A), and some believe God requires gays to be celibate (Side B). These are Christians across the spectrum — Evangelicals, Lutherans, Methodists, Catholics, Nazarenes, and so many others —... Read more
My sweet Natalie works at Marriott. On a recent visit to Phoenix, I ran into a friend of Natalie’s in the hotel lobby, a friend we’ve known forever and who worked with Natalie at their first property. She mentioned that the desk manager had been at that same property with them. So I went to introduce myself to him as Natalie’s mom. I was already anticipating a wonderful, Oh, so nice to meet you! I love Natalie… , because not... Read more
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