Mom ties church "untruths" to lesbian daughter's death

[kweerwolf]

The mother of a 29-year-old lesbian who committed suicide nearly a decade ago told a gathering of gays and their friends and family members yesterday that her daughter died because of the "untruths taught by the church."

A few of the 75 of so people gathered at Newport Presbyterian Church in Bellevue wiped away tears as Mary Lou Wallner talked about Anna's death in 1997, about the guilt she felt and how the circumstances have changed her life.

Wallner, who lives just outside Little Rock, Ark., explained she was raised in a conservative Christian home, and that was how she had raised her daughter. When Anna came out as a lesbian in 1988, Wallner was not prepared to accept it.

"I committed a hate crime," she said, recalling a comment she once made. "I didn't love my daughter unconditionally."

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002371684_gayconference10m.html?syndication=rss

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. How tragic

But how wonderful of this mother to share her story.

[lyberyl_prygryssyve]

2. Typical

So when do we make these people live in fear of leaving their homes like the Muslims in England are living now thanks to President I-need-training-wheels?

[applegrove]

3. I think this is very true. Suicide isn't the only thing. Repression of

who you are upon threat of being expelled by your parents or community will stop some people in their tracks. Adolescence is not an easy time and any growth or acceptance of ones true self should be celebrated as the things that will get you into a successful adulthood.

I've never known such sexual repression. But I can imagine what live would be like if it was not okay for me to be me. I am who I am. Thankfully being solitary is quite normal in my family so people don't balk at who I am. Too bad gays and lesbians don't have the common aunt or uncle who followed the same life path. That comes to be by birth, by miracle and by life experience and environmental ways. I am all of it. A parent's job is to build your kids up to embrace & accept it all. Domination of parents through the church will kills hundreds. Many more will be traumatized and forced into psychological issues - for no reason.