LGBT
Related: About this forumPastor preaches powerful pro-gay sermon in ultraconservative Paris, Texas
Last month, Pastor Rob Spencer preached a pro-gay sermon at First United Methodist Church in Paris, Texas.
Spencers sermon which he believes was the first of its kind in Paris focused on how his brothers coming out changed his family.
Paris, situated 90 miles northeast of Dallas in ultraconservative East Texas, was the site of a brutal anti-gay hate crime a few years back. And Spencer recalled that as a teenager in Texas, he was taught that violence against gays and lesbians was acceptable.
Twenty-five years ago, my younger brother Mike came out as gay, Spencer said in the sermon. Here is what I found: When you line em up, and your brother is in the lineup, it is hard to pull the trigger. That is where my journey with this began, and I am sure I would not be where I am today on this if not for my brother coming out. Its been an interesting journey, because some of my extended family began not only cutting my brother off, but cut me and my parents off, treating us as if we had a disease, something they could catch if they just hung around us. Families have been torn apart.
More at http://www.lonestarq.com/listen-methodist-pastor-paris-texas-preaches-powerful-pro-gay-sermon/ .
Cross-posted in the Texas Group.
MNBrewer
(8,462 posts)Vanje
(9,766 posts)In places like Paris Texas, and where I live in rural Idaho, most people don't think they know any gays.
My co-workers don't care about equal rights for a bunch of people they don't know, and have only heard awful things about.
But I don't think a one of them would be happy about denying Co-worker, Vanje all the benefits that they themselves enjoy.
THat said, it is a lot easier for a lesbian to come out in cowtown than it is for a gay guy. Tom boys get grudging consent. "Nancy boys", less so.
(Referring to a discussion a few days back about the differences between gay guys and gay gals ; There ARE differences in our respective experiences of homophobia. It might be worth a thread or two here to discuss those differences.)
Gotta go to work.
We can talk later.
Eleanors38
(18,318 posts)TexasTowelie
(112,056 posts)I was raised as a Southern Baptist, but went away from the church due to their hysterical stances on many social issues. If I ever "get religious" again, then I probably will end up joining the Methodist church. In the meantime, I'll be content to pray by myself.
Eleanors38
(18,318 posts)Methodist instead of Baptist. She said Baptists "didn't allow dancing."
TexasTowelie
(112,056 posts)There is too much music in my bones for me not to shake my booty.