We are seeing the blatant hypocrisy from the nonaffirming religious community as they scramble to save face—actually, to save power. People like Franklin Graham have flung their hateful and incendiary remarks for years (see my blog post here), and now that it’s a full-blown dumpster fire, they want to back away, as they desperately pretend to now condemn a message they have repeatedly openly condoned. Too late! Do I sound angry? You bet I am. But am I hopeful? You... Read more
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
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
“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
“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
“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
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
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
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
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
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