LGBTQ, in LC and Beyond.

Thanks for this topic.

I am bisexual, and I really found it hard to accept myself during my teenage years and even early 20s.
I tried to push it down and "pray the gay" away for the longest time.

In my mid 20s I realised I could not deny that I was bisexual any longer. But still being in the LC made that hard. It was like the longer I stayed in the more homophobic preaching I heard from elders in the LC.

Every wedding I attended felt like it was being used as a lesson to push heterosexuality as the only right way.

This wasn't the only reason I left, but even so, when I first left and then met Christians who were also in the LGBT community and supported for it by their church, I felt envious.

I don't feel that way particularly anymore, but I do worry a lot for the queer kids still in the church.

Since I accidentally posted this anonymously I am going to add that this.

I am a woman and next week will be celebrating my one year anniversary with my girlfriend who is a beautiful transgender woman.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Since I accidentally posted this anonymously I am going to add that this.

I am a woman and next week will be celebrating my one year anniversary with my girlfriend who is a beautiful transgender woman.

So ... you have returned to God's original plan of one man and one woman?

[SerenityLives]

Originally Posted by Ohio

So ... you have returned to God's original plan of one man and one woman?

No Ohio, she mentioned that she is with a person who identifies as a woman. They are both female gender. So they are a lesbian couple who have mutual attractions for each other.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by SerenityLives

No Ohio, she mentioned that she is with a person who identifies as a woman. They are both female gender. So they are a lesbian couple who have mutual attractions for each other.

But one of them has a boy's body, and she is a girl ... see how that works?

Pay attention to what is happening today. It is the traditional gay and lesbian communities who are going to react the strongest against the trans movement, especially related to sports. Think about what will happen when Megan Rapinoe and other lesbian sports stars on the USA women's soccer team start losing to some insignificant country team with a bunch of trans athletes.

Lawsuits galore are in store. Women track stars in Connecticut have already filed lawsuits regarding trans athletes who have stolen their university scholarships and sports futures. The whole movement can be fraught with fraud. (My one son often says that he could have been a basketball legend if only he would have identified as a woman. ) If we as a society don't decide to limit sports to one's birth gender, then we will destroy all sports. Trans women will totally dominate women's sports, and if we go to unisex sports, women will totally lose out, except for a few sports like gymnastics, diving, skating, etc.

The entire trans movement may one day destroy the whole of society in order to give special privileges to a small handful of people. It is far and away the most self-centered and narcissistic movement in all of history.

[SerenityLives]

Originally Posted by Ohio

But one of them has a boy's body, and she is a girl ... see how that works?

Pay attention to what is happening today. It is far and away the most self-centered and narcissistic movement in all of history.

Just because you think something, doesnt mean it is true. Just because you think her partner is a male does not make that true. And no I think you should pay attention to what is happening today. I can see where you’re coming from but sorry it doesnt work that way. “self centered”? please take a look at yourself or Awareness will censure you.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by SerenityLives

Just because you think something, doesnt mean it is true. Just because you think her partner is a male does not make that true. And no I think you should pay attention to what is happening today. I can see where you’re coming from but sorry it doesnt work that way. “self centered”? please take a look at yourself or Awareness will censure you.

Why don't you comment on lesbian concerns for women's sports?

Originally Posted by Ohio

But one of them has a boy's body, and she is a girl ... see how that works?

Except that she doesn't have a boy's body.

[Trapped]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Except that she doesn't have a boy's body.

I wasn't going to ask about this since I'm not sure where some of the "that's too personal" lines are in this topic that's already of a very personal nature, but this was naturally one of the thoughts that came up in me when considering your relationship. Are you saying that your transgender wife has had surgery and physically appears more like that of a woman now (as far as anatomy that's usually covered up, rather than just, say, facial appearance)?

Sorry if this is crossing a line to ask. I'm genuinely trying to get a clear picture so my attempt to "walk a mile in your shoes" is more accurate.

[awareness]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Since I accidentally posted this anonymously I am going to add that this.

I am a woman and next week will be celebrating my one year anniversary with my girlfriend who is a beautiful transgender woman.

May this thread help more LC gays come out of the closet ... and help gay LC kids feel free from condemnation in their homosexuality.

Thank you Jesus for this thread.

Thanks Serenity ... you're an angel of God.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by awareness

May this thread help more LC gays come out of the closet ... and help gay LC kids feel free from condemnation in their homosexuality.

Have you considered that the horrible "condemnation" these people are forced to endure does not come from outside, but from inside, from within their own conscience given to them by God?

[awareness]

Originally Posted by Ohio

Have you considered that the horrible "condemnation" these people are forced to endure does not come from outside, but from inside, from within their own conscience given to them by God?

Obviously you haven't been on the receiving end. And apparently are unable to empathize --> that I take to be Christ-like.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by awareness

Obviously you haven't been on the receiving end. And apparently are unable to empathize --> that I take to be Christ-like.

You have no idea how much abuse I have been forced to endure my entire life. But I don't live nor love "victim" status.

I watch the news. Where are all these abuses that the LGBT community is enduring? They have the highest per capita income of all the "minority" groups. They have special hate crimes and employment legislation to protect and enrich them. Matter of fact, I see lots of straight conservatives getting LGBT stuff shoved in their faces. Who are the real abusers here?

And when did Jesus Christ show empathy to gay, lesbian, and trans marriage? Is there some verse that show us that Jesus Christ has reversed the teachings of the rest of the Bible? Yes, God loves all, but He sure don't love all that is done, and one day He will judge us all.

[SerenityLives]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Since I accidentally posted this anonymously I am going to add that this.

I am a woman and next week will be celebrating my one year anniversary with my girlfriend who is a beautiful transgender woman.

congratulations to your one year anniversary. my wife and I are having our fourth year anniversary next week as well. This just comes to show that same sex relationships can be as stable, healthy, and happy as opposite sex relationships !

Originally Posted by SerenityLives

congratulations to your one year anniversary. my wife and I are having our fourth year anniversary next week as well. This just comes to show that same sex relationships can be as stable, healthy, and happy as opposite sex relationships !

Thank you, and congratulations to you too!

My current relationship is definitely healthier and happier than some of my past relationships with men.

Not saying that it is healthier just because she is a woman too, but maybe it is a little bit because she is a woman.

[SerenityLives]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Thanks for this topic.

I am bisexual, and I really found it hard to accept myself during my teenage years and even early 20s.
I tried to push it down and "pray the gay" away for the longest time.

In my mid 20s I realised I could not deny that I was bisexual any longer. But still being in the LC made that hard. It was like the longer I stayed in the more homophobic preaching I heard from elders in the LC.

Every wedding I attended felt like it was being used as a lesson to push heterosexuality as the only right way.

This wasn't the only reason I left, but even so, when I first left and then met Christians who were also in the LGBT community and supported for it by their church, I felt envious.

I don't feel that way particularly anymore, but I do worry a lot for the queer kids still in the church.

I am bisexual as well and it took a lot of denial but nothing seemed to work no matter how hard I prayed to God, tried to date guys. At one time I felt like I was living a double life in college, joining Christians on Campus and simultaneously, neevously avoiding church people who happen to be on campus to go to evening lgbtq support groups. There were times when I felt like giving up, letting go, having suicidal thoughts, but I finally realized that I only had one life, and that was given to me by God. I had to live it and stop pretending. I worry also for the ones still stuck in LC and struggling with their sexuality or gender identity, hence why I wanted to start this thread to show that there is hope out there for any of them if they are starting to question and need to know that there are others like them, who have gone through similar experiences. Thank you for sharing and I’m glad to know I am also not alone.

[Trapped]

Originally Posted by SerenityLives

I am bisexual as well and it took a lot of denial but nothing seemed to work no matter how hard I prayed to God, tried to date guys. At one time I felt like I was living a double life in college, joining Christians on Campus and simultaneously, neevously avoiding church people who happen to be on campus to go to evening lgbtq support groups. There were times when I felt like giving up, letting go, having suicidal thoughts, but I finally realized that I only had one life, and that was given to me by God. I had to live it and stop pretending. I worry also for the ones still stuck in LC and struggling with their sexuality or gender identity, hence why I wanted to start this thread to show that there is hope out there for any of them if they are starting to question and need to know that there are others like them, who have gone through similar experiences. Thank you for sharing and I’m glad to know I am also not alone.

Hearing that you were in COC helps clarify for me the "in LC" part of this new thread. I had been thinking that, at least according to my own experience, the LGBT+ topic in the local church is essentially not brought up except in the college student context. As far as I am aware, "the ministry" doesn't spend much if any time on the topic, and the co-workers are more concerned with their own "deputy authority" during the trainings and conferences than to address this topic at all. The only place I have heard much said, and it wasn't much, was in the context of college student gatherings.....mostly things like Q&As or "special topics" or something like that.

[clever sister]

Originally Posted by Trapped

Hearing that you were in COC helps clarify for me the "in LC" part of this new thread. I had been thinking that, at least according to my own experience, the LGBT+ topic in the local church is essentially not brought up except in the college student context. As far as I am aware, "the ministry" doesn't spend much if any time on the topic, and the co-workers are more concerned with their own "deputy authority" during the trainings and conferences than to address this topic at all. The only place I have heard much said, and it wasn't much, was in the context of college student gatherings.....mostly things like Q&As or "special topics" or something like that.

I left the LC about five years ago, but during the fivish years before that I heard brothers in LC speak more and more frequently to condemn homosexuality. This is in New Zealand though, maybe in the Southern states of the US they don't feel like they need to address it, outside of the campus work?

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by SerenityLives

I am bisexual as well ...

What does your wonderful wife of 4 years say when you start getting interested in some guy?

[SerenityLives]

Originally Posted by Ohio

What does your wonderful wife of 4 years say when you start getting interested in some guy?

Just because someone is bisexual does not mean they can easily flip flop. I am commited to my wife and am apalled at how you continue to disparage my relationship and the other lgbtq’s relations with their loved ones. If you have nothing good to say, then dont say it at all.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by SerenityLives

Just because someone is bisexual does not mean they can easily flip flop. I am commited to my wife and am apalled at how you continue to disparage my relationship and the other lgbtq’s relations with their loved ones. If you have nothing good to say, then dont say it at all.

I have not disparaged your relationship or any other.

It is you who said somthing quite concerning about being bi.

Do you esteem loyalty or faithfulness to your partner as important?

[clever sister]

Originally Posted by Ohio

I have not disparaged your relationship or any other.

It is you who said somthing quite concerning about being bi.

Do you esteem loyalty or faithfulness to your partner as important?

What did she say about being bisexual that was concerning?

Being bisexual does not change how faithful or loyal one is to their partner, just like being heterosexual does not guarantee a person won't cheat on their partner.