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Step Up, Speak Out Against Bullying – The Tragic Case of Tyler Clementi

October 1, 2010 By Randy Thomas
tyler

Everyone I have talked to that has heard about the recent rash of young people killing themselves as a result of bullying are deeply moved and heartbroken.  Considering the cases lately that are specific bullying due to a young person being perceived as or identifying as gay, many of us can personally relate to having had experienced/or are experiencing that in our lives. Truly heart breaking. I've been struggling with trying to find the words to capture the horror and deep sadness of the situation regarding Tyler Clementi but I found this amazingly powerful article by Todd Starnes. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Crimes, Culture, Educate, Exodus Blog, God, Identity, Jesus Christ, Sexuality Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Suicide Rates Among Gay Community Increase

August 9, 2010 By Randy Thomas
despair

From Deseret News: SALT LAKE CITY — As the number of suicides among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations continues to increase across the nation, concern among the Utah LGBT community has begun to push the issue into the spotlight. In July, Utah's LGBT community lost at least three members to suicide, including a 28-year-old man whose death was mourned by more than 300 people during a candlelight vigil on the steps of the state Capitol. Two other suicides of well-known members of the LGBT community, also gay men, have occurred in the past month. Though the problem is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church, Culture, Educate, Exodus Blog, God, Identity, Jesus Christ, Sexuality Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

“Non-Celibate Gay Ministers” Welcomed In Lutheran Church

July 26, 2010 By Randy Thomas
gay clergy

From the New York Times NYT (emphasis mine because I find it an interesting description): With a laying on of hands, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on Sunday welcomed into its fold seven openly gay pastors who had until recently been barred from the church’s ministry. The ceremony at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in San Francisco was the first of several planned since the denomination took a watershed vote at its convention last year to allow noncelibate gay ministers in committed relationships to serve the church. “Today the church is speaking with a clear voice,” the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church, Culture, Educate, Exodus Blog, Gay, God, Holy Spirit, Identity, Jesus Christ, Lesbian, Lutherans, Post-gay, Religious Liberty, Sexuality, The Father Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

First Hand Report From The NEA Ex-gay Educator’s Caucus

July 14, 2010 By Randy Thomas
Click Image to Visit Melinda's Facebook Profile

Melinda has become one of my favorite facebook friends.  She's always got an encouraging word.  She recently went to the NEA Convention and she had a remarkable experience.  I asked if she would like to write a guest blog post about her experience and she graciously agreed.  Here's Melinda in her own words (emphasis mine): My experience manning the NEA Ex-gay Educator’s Caucus booth at the National Education Association (NEA) convention in New Orleans recently could be compared to being in a dunking booth or being fed to the lions. The Caucus was raising awareness that “ex-gays” do, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Bi-sexuality, Culture, Educate, Exodus Blog, Gay, Identity, Jesus Christ, Lesbian, Post-gay, Purpose, Religious Liberty, Sexuality, Youth & Young Adults Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Love Won Out Welcomes Protesters, Addresses Counter Conference

March 5, 2010 By Randy Thomas

Christian Conference on Faith & Sexuality Welcomes Protestors, Responds to Counter Conference SAN DIEGO, CA- As the largest worldwide ministry addressing faith and sexuality prepares to host the Love Won Out conference this Saturday at Skyline Church in San Diego, opponents have organized a protest and a conference of their own. Love Won Out is a one-day event, hosted by Exodus International that is geared towards equipping the Christian church to compassionately respond to the issue of homosexuality. Alan Chambers, former homosexual and President of Exodus International, says he … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Church, Educate, Exodus Blog, Gay, Homosexuality, Lesbian, Love Won Out, Marriage, Parents, Post-gay, Spouses, Youth & Young Adults Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

How Do Parents of Gay-Identified children Handle the Holidays?

November 20, 2009 By Terri Brown
family

For parents of adult children involved in homosexuality, the holidays can be anything but ‘happy’ and ‘merry.’ The issue of homosexuality is dividing families everywhere and holidays can be especially difficult. Thankfully, it can also be a time of mending relationships and building new ones. As the mother of a gay-identified son, I’ve had to face this ‘holiday’ issue. The first time my son, who lives in another state, called and said, “Mom, Larry* and I want to come see you and Dad for Christmas,” I took a deep breath, said a quick prayer, and replied, “You know you … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Encourage, Exodus Blog, Featured, Gay, Homosexuality, Lesbian, Parents, Post-gay, Testimonies Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Q & A Friday – Witnessing Unconditional Love And Conviction

August 28, 2009 By Randy Thomas

This post originally appeared on my old blog Everyday Thoughts Collected last November. I thought it would be good to bring it back online here. *** One of my fbff's (FaceBook Friends Forever) sent the following ... answer after the jump (edits mine for anonymity purposes.) ... I have a (friend) who is gay who I recently shared the gospel with ... I tried to be as sensitive as possible (just so you know, I did not imply that I assumed he wasn't a believer just because he was gay) and he responded very graciously as well. He says that he already knows what I'm talking about because he … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Encourage, Exodus Blog, Featured, Friendship, Gay, Homosexuality, Q&A Friday, Support Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,