7 Deadly Sins Parents Commit Against Transgender Kids – In Memory of Leelah Alcorn

Last updated on: November 20, 2020 at 1:41 pm By Susan Cottrell

Leelah’s story is one you have probably heard. The transgender girl who committed suicide in 2014 by stepping in front of an oncoming tractor-trailer, citing her “Christian” parents’ rejection of her as the reason. Deep, sad sigh. Heartache. Anger. A life destroyed because of people’s ignorance and cruelty. On the Transgender Day of Remembrance we remember and mourn those who have been murdered as a result of transphobia. We also draw attention to the violence endured by transgender people. Some... Read more

Christians, It’s Time to Admit the Truth and Let Go of Your Aversion to LGBTQ!

Last updated on: November 17, 2020 at 1:33 pm By Susan Cottrell

You have seen the news: The president of a ultra-conservative Christian university resigns because of a torrid voyeur threesome relationship with his wife and another man; the Christian Texas lawmaker who argued against allowing two women, together for thirty years, to marry, while in the midst of his own 5th marriage. I could go on. Really, I could go on and on and on and on. Forgive me, but sometimes I just have to laugh. I mean, really. Maybe we... Read more

What is a Christian Response to a Daughter’s Same-Sex Wedding?

Last updated on: August 10, 2020 at 1:33 pm By Robert Cottrell

“Saturday night, my daughter, Rachel, married the love of her life, Amy. This last year has been such a struggle of losing friends and strained relationships with family because we unconditionally love and support our beautiful Christian gay daughter. However we know we have made the right choice.” This post is about Randy, one of the Dads in our FreedHearts Dads Facebook group. With his permission, I want to share it with you. Here is Randy’s toast from the wedding... Read more

Conversion Therapy’s Deadly Little Secret

Last updated on: July 26, 2020 at 5:36 pm By Robert Cottrell

“Even in states with bans, the overwhelming percentage of conversion therapy still continues. Every state. Every day.” I see them on an increasingly regular basis. Social media posts celebrating another state that has banned conversion therapy. The latest was about Facebook’s decision to ban all conversion therapy ads on their platform and on Instagram. This is great progress and I celebrate as well! These bans are a large step and critical in a journey to bring this horrible, harmful practice... Read more

Serving in the Army as a Queer Black Man Opened My Eyes to Racism in America

Last updated on: June 17, 2020 at 1:59 pm By Susan Cottrell

“I started filming the protests in New York so I could draw attention to the realities of black America that I was first exposed to during my military service.” As part of #sharethemicnow we are honored to re-post this June 4th article by Richard Brookshire as told to John Ismay in the New York Times – unedited and in its entirety. You can read the original article here. The above photo is of the author, Richard Brookshire, with his mother,... Read more

Rights Groups Call For Black Transgender Women Support Amid U.S. Protests

Last updated on: June 15, 2020 at 1:32 pm By Susan Cottrell

Higher rates of unemployment, homelessness and discrimination is suffered by transgender Americans compared to others in the LGBT community, and they face violence and racism, supporters say. As part of #sharethemicnow we are honored to re-post this June 10th article by Bien Luigi from The Urban Twist – unedited and in its entirety. You can read the original article here. With at least a dozen trans people murdered this year in the United States, rights groups said on Monday that... Read more

My White Friend Asked Me on Facebook to Explain White Privilege. I Decided to Be Honest

Last updated on: June 11, 2020 at 11:19 pm By Susan Cottrell

He wanted to know how institutional racism has made an impact on my life. I’m glad he asked, because I was ready to answer. “Trust me, nobody is mad at you for being white. Nobody.” As part of #sharethemicnow, we are honored to repost an incredible article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson, unedited and in its entirety, as it appeared on YES! Magazine. Yesterday I was tagged in a post by an old high school friend asking me and a few... Read more

WHAT OUR BODIES ARE SAYING

Last updated on: November 16, 2020 at 3:56 pm By Susan Cottrell

Grief for the loss of so many bodies. So many black bodies. So many transgender bodies. So many bodies lost to COVID 19. So many LGBTQ bodies ravaged by bullies and by parents. So many female and child bodies raped or sexually enslaved. My heart is troubled. Images of a body on the street crying out for breath; a body chased down and beaten simply because they did not fit in; a body kicked to the streets by parents; a... Read more

Why the Sadness Won’t Go Away: A Tribute to Rachel Held Evans

Last updated on: May 4, 2020 at 12:19 pm By Susan Cottrell

Years ago at a conference, the husband of a dear friend said to me, “Your work has helped my wife through a tremendously difficult time. Thank you, thank you for what you do.” Deeply moved I said, “You are so welcome!” Ten minutes later he found me again and said, “I’m sorry, I thought you were Rachel Held Evans.” Well, there you go! And who better to defer to than Rachel? She helped many of us through tremendously difficult times.... Read more

Is It Okay to Lie About Your Orientation or Identity?

Last updated on: December 22, 2019 at 4:07 pm By Susan Cottrell

Queer folk often wonder whether it’s okay to lie about their orientation or gender identity. Understandably. The cost of coming out can be exorbitant, and sometimes people are asked when they’re not ready to tell—and those asking aren’t really ready to hear! But LGBTQ people feel terrible lying about it. Yes! So, inspired by Queer Theology’s recent podcast on the topic, I wanted to speak to this as a mom here. The classic question about lying is this: is it... Read more