Posts Tagged ‘Family’
My Christian Journey: Coming Out As Transgender
Hi, my name is Izek, and I identify as a bi-racial queer transman (FTM). Most importantly, I identify as a Christian. I have had positive and negative experiences coming out as transgender. Luckily, I already had supportive friends, family, and church community. This support made transitioning less intimidating. Although I had a decent amount of…
Read MoreTransitions May Be Tough, But My Faith Is Tougher
Since I was about seven or eight years old, I knew that I was not like other boys; I couldn’t throw “like a boy,” I cried easily; I wasn’t competitive. I knew deep down that I didn’t fit the “boy” pattern no matter how much I tried. Much as I wanted to please my dad,…
Read MoreAfter Years Of Hiding My Bisexuality, Here’s How I Finally Found Hope
I’m a strong believer in the value of a journey. Whether it be literal (like a road trip), figurative (like learning a skill), or emotional (like overcoming trauma), a journey gives us a chance to move towards something, prepare for what comes next, and anticipate a new world for ourselves. For this reason, Advent is…
Read MoreWhitewashed, Reconciled, & Thankful
The Lakota creation story has the People springing forth from a hole in the ground somewhere in the Black Hills. That idea resonates with me, perhaps because there are many holes in what I know about my heritage. A hole in the ground is as good a place as any; I am very rooted to…
Read MoreDecolonizing Queer Bodies & Identities
A couple of weeks ago I had the great opportunity to participate in the Faith and Family Power Summit in Salt Lake City, UT, organized by the National LGBTQ Taskforce. The keynote address of openly lesbian United Church of Christ Bishop Yvette Flunder challenged me to seek learning opportunities that will sharpen my consciousness around…
Read MoreWhy I Hold My Partner’s Hand
Put simply, I love and am in love. When one’s heart is full. When one’s day is preoccupied with another. When I am in touch with the truth that I can’t live without him; and, I go through my day missing him, I can’t help but hold my partner’s hand. It is an empowering truth…
Read MoreAnd We Rise To The Top
My grandmother sat on green rocking chairs, in South Dallas Porches, singing songs like “Cheerios, Cheerios, push them to the bottom of the bowl and then they rise to the top.” My grandmother sat on green rocking chairs, in South Dallas porches, right in front of the drug dealers, in the midst of gun shots,…
Read MoreCatholic Synod Report Misses Opportunity To Affirm LGBTQ People
Now that the Synod on the Family is concluded, much is already being written about an event The New York Times called the “most momentous, and contentious, meeting of bishops” since Vatican II. Below, Bondings 2.0 provides some early commentaries and reactions related to LGBT topics. For a good general overview of what the Synod’s final document contains, see Joshua McElwee’s article…
Read MoreFinding Strength As A Lesbian Mother Through The Canaanite Woman
If you want one of the most beautiful and yet humbling experiences a person can go through, become a parent. As a new mom, I’m often in the midst of intense events with my kids where I have no idea what to do. Because of this, I find myself looking to God for guidance. I…
Read MoreRead This Gay Catholic’s Letter To Pope Francis
In response to the silencing of LGBTQ people during the World Meeting on Families, it is critical that we share our own stories to tell Pope Francis that LGBTQ families enrich our lives and the Church. Join me in writing letters of faith and family to Pope Francis during his historic visit to the United…
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