Voices Encouraged
As we take a stand on Monday, June 5th(8:30-10:00/4:00-5:30) to emanate love in action through a peaceful demonstration outside "Love In Action", we highly encourage former clients to tell their stories. We feel it is important for those who are able and willing to speak up and share their truths, in order to help those who may need to hear them. Your stories are important. Your experience is something we can all learn and benefit from as we stand for those who've been silenced by homophobia, misinformation, and shame. We have an already long list of individuals whose testimonials we've compiled over the past year, and if you wish to be apart of this voice...please contact us by email(fighting.homophobia@gmail.com) in advace of the June 5th demonstration. All correspondance is strictly confidential.
**Several former clients of both REFUGE(the teen program), and LIA's adult program will be attending the demonstration...
We are very concerned for the any individuals who may be forced into Love In Action's summer youth program, REFUGE, and with respect to anyone willfully choosing to attend, we merely hope to offer a positive reflection...an embrace...images, and sounds of love and support...to let any willing ears to hear...that it's ok to be who you are, and if someone is forcing you to be otherwise...we're here to let you know that there's another side. We are concerned that misleading information, manipulated facts, and tactics of shame and fear can lead to people making misinformed choices. It is our hope that those who've been personally affected, and those who wish to show support, will speak out, stand up, and offer a voice for those whos voices have been dimmed.
More soon on the demonstration.
With love,
QAC
**Several former clients of both REFUGE(the teen program), and LIA's adult program will be attending the demonstration...
We are very concerned for the any individuals who may be forced into Love In Action's summer youth program, REFUGE, and with respect to anyone willfully choosing to attend, we merely hope to offer a positive reflection...an embrace...images, and sounds of love and support...to let any willing ears to hear...that it's ok to be who you are, and if someone is forcing you to be otherwise...we're here to let you know that there's another side. We are concerned that misleading information, manipulated facts, and tactics of shame and fear can lead to people making misinformed choices. It is our hope that those who've been personally affected, and those who wish to show support, will speak out, stand up, and offer a voice for those whos voices have been dimmed.
More soon on the demonstration.
With love,
QAC
posted by Fighting Homophobia at
12:24 AM
9 Comments:
I am a graduate of the 9-month program at Love In Action. But, it's not so much about what Love In Action has done, but what God has done. It is written in God's Word that the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ cleansed and brought to righteousness "homosexual offenders" (1 Cor. 6:9-11). Why would Jesus empower this to happen, and then permit this sanction to be documented for eternity in the Bible?
The Bible commands that we confess Jesus as Lord--not our sexuality as lord--over our lives. Many Christians even have a hard time believing that God would want someone to change from homosexual behaviors and mindsets, but Christians who profess God's salvation over their lives must be willing to acknowledge the truth of Scripture; this is a commandment of the God from whom the ministry of Love In Action draws its direction.
Perhaps the Jesus of the Bible is not the same Jesus this blog refers to. Yes, my Jesus loves gay people and other people unjustly oppressed and ridiculed by society. But I thank God that my Jesus cares enough about me--and anyone who will trust Him--to give me another option.
Does the person supporting the Queer Action Coalition have such freedom? I think not. But God's redemption is available to those who are willing to receive it.
By
Anonymous, at 1:59 PM
Bet you didn't count on a story like that....one of truth and non-shame. Shame on you for being judgemental of people who want to and are able to change their lives to glorify and follow Jesus.
By
Anonymous, at 7:45 PM
I think that you may have missed one of our main concerns. The problem for many of us are Refuge clients who are sent there involuntarily by others. Your comments about 'freedom' are not being applied to those individuals. Instead they are forced into the expectations of those who sent them.
QAC formed because of the diary entries of such an individual. The teen's fearful comments about his impending treatment by Refuge last summer stirred others into action. He included normally hidden information about the conversion program. The rules and structure of the program were not about life options. The methods were designed to demand conformity of word, thought, and deed. The testimonies of a number of former LIA clients concurred.
In spite of your claims of freedom through the LIA program, I must respectfully disagree.
By
Anonymous, at 6:56 AM
I have a question. Why are all the supporters of LIA posting anonymously? Is it something about going through the LIA program that makes someone reluctant to acknowledge to others, the person that they are?
Judgmental? Like...calling homosexuals broken? Telling people that we're incapable of forming lasting, loving relationships? Telling people that we're all likely to die before we're 36 years old? That kind of Judgmental?
By
Bruce Garrett, at 12:55 PM
To Bruce:
I am "anonymous" because I represent others who may not share my views any more that you do. LIA is an organization that I support, but I have no connection with them.
I am simply someone who has struggled with sins that you do not believe are sins. To say we have no sin, is calling God a liar.
If we agree with God about our sin,
"He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from "all" unrighteousness".
Your problem is denial.
By
Anonymous, at 8:23 AM
I am "anonymous" because I represent others who may not share my views any more that you do.
Swell. Just say, as I said previously, "I only speak for myself". Or is the problem that you don't want your own words, attached to your own name? If you don't want your name associated with something you're doing, that should tell you it's time to pause, and reflect on what it is that you're doing.
To say we have no sin, is calling God a liar.
To call something that God made beautiful and wonderful an ugly sin is to spit in Gods face.
Your problem is denial.
Denial. Do you actually believe that homosexuals don't live longer then 36 years on average?
By
Bruce Garrett, at 5:46 PM
To Bruce:
All sin is ugly to God. That's what makes it sin. There was nothing beautiful in my sexual misconduct.
God bless you.
By
Anonymous, at 2:02 PM
Anonymous, just because you did not conduct your sexuality in a manner you felt was honorable, beautiful or holy, why would this necessarily imply that all other gay and lesbian persons behave in the same destructive or irresponsible ways?
I can understand why someone might be unhappy with him/herself and his/her sexual behavior if s/he behaved in an irresponsible, hurtful manner. It would seem that such a person might well seek therapy to help himself overcome his negative sexual behaviors. However, many gay and lesbian persons are responsible, loving, committed and caring in their sexual relationships. Many engage only in long-term, healthy, committed, covenantal relationships. Such people are generally happy, healthy and whole.
Why should your experiences of engaging in promiscuity or addiction or other destructive behaviors be generalized as being representative of gay relationships as a whole? This is misguided.
God doesn't require me to be straight. God requires me to behave responsibly and lovingly within the context of a committed homosexual relationship with my God-given spouse.
If ex-gay therapy has assisted you in living a more responsible, happy or healthy life, good for you. I support you in your efforts at growth and positive change. But please don't generalize your experiences to all other gay and lesbian people. I am not you and my relationship is not your relationship(s). The one thing we do have in common is that we love and honor the same God and attempt to live our lives in accordance with God's desires and will for us.
By
Anonymous, at 4:36 PM
To: lorian
Maybe God does not require you or me to be "straight". He does require us to live our lives for Him and not for ourselves. I fail miserably at living for Jesus instead of for myself.
My prayer for myself is:
Father, I do not want to do anything that you say I should not do, and I do want to do the things you say I should do.
You told me to preach your Word and I try my best to do that, but it hurts people to be told that their is sin in their lives.
Father, help us understand that you know our sins, and you want us to agree with you, when you say we have sinned. When we ask for forgiveness, you will forgive us.
Thank you, in Jesus name.
Lorian, forgive me if I have hurt your feelings.
The "anonymous" preacher
By
Anonymous, at 12:06 PM
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