Christians, Does the Nashville Statement Reflect Your Heart?

August 31, 2017 By Susan Cottrell

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

You May Think I’m Wrong About LGBTQI. So, Now What?

August 3, 2017 By Robert Cottrell

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

Can My Young Child Know If They Are Gay?

July 12, 2017 By Susan Cottrell

“Stop letting awful parents put these labels on young children! It is going to destroy their lives!” We hear some version of this every day. What these people don’t realize is that it is not the parent who is doing anything, it is the child driving the vast majority of these conversations. Gender identity and orientation are complex issues and it can be especially difficult and confusing when your child is young. But the best response can be surprisingly simple.... Read more

Flowers for the Living

July 5, 2017 By Susan Cottrell

It was a big day nonetheless. Graduating from seminary, I enjoyed family and friends here to celebrate, and so many more cheering me on from afar. I felt loved, valued, appreciated, seen, and heard! Gifts and well wishes rained down from Mamas in FreedHearts Moms, my secret online support group. I received many more wishes from so many friends online—even the many I haven’t met in person but who have expressed their love and appreciation. I felt that my life... Read more

Margaret Court’s Outdated Game With the LGBTQI Community

June 22, 2017 By Susan Cottrell

Margaret Court was the name in Women’s Tennis. She was the best in the world. She set records. The Australian Open’s Court Arena bears her name. But her game is sadly out of date. She would not have even a teensy-weensy chance against the 100th ranked player today, let alone Serena. Not. A. Chance. Bless her heart. I admire her tennis—for the day she played it. Today it’s anachronistic; that is, it’s out of the sequence of time. It’s old,... Read more

A Father’s Plea to Christian Dads of LGBTQ+ Children

June 18, 2017 By Robert Cottrell

In 2010, my daughter came out. I love her. Nothing will ever change that. Nothing. I stand with her. I defend her. I believe in her. I protect her. And my life’s work is now to advocate for her and for all those in the LGBTQ+ community. Maybe you have a gay son, or a lesbian daughter, or a bisexual, transgender or queer child. And maybe this is not what you hoped for—what you dreamed of. But regardless of the... Read more

Wonder Woman, Parents, & the LGBTQI Community!

June 14, 2017 By Susan Cottrell

Diana. Wonder Woman! Just saw the movie, and I kept thinking about you. I will share a few pieces here—no spoilers—to convey how I feel about you and the defense we’re engaged in for the lives of the defenseless, for the lives of our children. It doesn’t stop until all of us are free. “It’s our sacred duty to defend the world. And it is what I’m going to do.” – Wonder Woman. When I started FreedHearts four years ago,... Read more

An Unclaimed Body – the Last Victim of Pulse. Where is the Love?

June 9, 2017 By Susan Cottrell

At a time when a parent weeps uncontrollably, mourning the death of their precious child, what would possibly drive a father to refuse to claim the dead body of his son? Oh wait, he told us: the son was gay. Where is the love? Is the middle of the unspeakable pain of losing your child to a senseless act of hate and violence, you have to plan a funeral. What would possibly cause a church to refuse to allow you... Read more

How To Parent an LGBTQI (or Any) Child

May 9, 2017 By Susan Cottrell

Today’s my girls’ birthday, my lovely youngest daughter. She moves to LA tomorrow. Onward toward her music career. How the years fly and in the end, and when those kids soar off to their own adventures, we are left to wave and wish them joy and peace and life. What do you wish you had done differently as a parent? What do you wish your parents had done differently? Love. That is what a wise older woman told me she... Read more

The Ultimate Question: What If You’re Wrong??

April 20, 2017 By Susan Cottrell

Are we so terrified of an angry God that we choose to err of the side of judging a person instead of loving them? Unfortunately, the answer is “yes” for much of the church. And it is destroying the lives of people and entire families – many of whom we call brothers and sisters in Christ. What if it is wrong to condemn same-sex relationships? What if it is wrong to affirm same-sex relationships? “What if you’re wrong?” It is... Read more