GAY with GOD!

Jackson had been assigned female at birth, but always knew he was not female, he was male. He endured shame from his mom who wanted him to wear dresses and date boys if he wanted to play sports or go to prom. He experienced a form of conversion therapy in elementary school. As an adult, Jackson was judged, dismissed, and told he couldn’t serve in the church because he, ”looked gay.” In another church, JP was told, It is not ok to be Gay on the worship team because you’re telling the congregation it is ok to be Gay.” So, how did Jackson go through all the emotional abuse without giving up on church? His story is poignant and relevant for any youth being mistreated in church and for our Transgender brothers and sisters who want to be seen for who they really are and serve the God of their understanding.

Pastor Josh Noah is an amazing example of the Holy Spirit working through someone, even when they aren’t aware of it. Josh spent years plagued with anger, depression, and anxiety. On a dark Good Friday, his hidden truth, and Josh’s need to release it came to a head. He had resisted it for so long that it flowed out of him as an emotional abusive moment toward his wife and kids. This ended in Josh’s wife telling him the truth he couldn’t say, which would be the beginning of the end of their marriage, and the estrangement of his eldest child. The fall out continued as many of the people in his congregation said they would stand by him, didn’t. What did the Holy Spirit have in mind? Why does Josh say that, ”God has a sense of humor?” Tune into today’s episode to get all the gems, and the chills as this story unfolds.

Mason’s story comes from a place of fear, mental health issues, self harm, and psychiatric placements. It winds up with a wife, a daughter, and unconditional support from a rural farm family. Mason also has been able to find authenticity and wholeness once he claimed his authenticity. Mason’s story also includes a unique grace that he extends to his parents, friends, and new people he meets who struggle with his pronouns. After all he says, ”I mess up my own pronouns sometimes!”

Jackson was assigned female at birth. As young as two years old he knew that he was a boy. Jackson challenged that during potty training, telling his mom that ”boys stand, girls sit.” Another challenge to his awareness came in second grade. He was told to write a letter to Santa, that really went to his parents. He said in the letter, ”I want the right body, you put me in the wrong body.” Needless to say, he got into big trouble with his parents, and was subjected to a counseling group from grades 2-8 that focused on being feminine. Jackson believes the group was a form of conversion therapy. Jackson ”JP” Rose is now closer than ever to aligning his body and his spirit, to be the man he always knew was his truth. It has been a painful journey. He is now reaping the dignity, love and respect that he deserves.

Meet Bishop Karen Oliveto, (she, her, hers) who was called to the ministry at age 11, became a choir director at age 16 and began preaching over the summer of her 18th birthday! Then, she came out in seminary as Lesbian. She was arrested every year for doing Holy Unions at her 1/2 Queer 1/2 straight congregation in San Francisco. Bishop Karen performed the first same gender legal wedding in the UMC! She then became the first and only openly identified LGBTQ Bishop of the United Methodist Church! For the first 18 months as Bishop in her region, she required a body guard for herself and her wife because some folks were less than happy to welcome a fully called and Beloved by God Lesbian Bishop.

A new sneak peek into my upcoming GAY with GOD! memoir! Today, I talk about a time that I went camping with ”Mary,” my beloved’s memoir name, and her family to Grayson Highlands State Park.  Not only did I learn that I can run through storms on a very steep trail, but I also learned that God doesn’t just reside in church for everyone.

Can you avoid Hell by working for God? As a child, I thought this was an option! When I signed up for the trip without my dad’s permission; well, tune in and see how it all worked out! This episode takes you back in time to a Mission trip I signed up for to India when I was 18 years old. It is also a sneak peek into my upcoming memoir; GAY with GOD!

What if you were told you had to convert to Christianity? What if you were told that the a take over has been and is going on in the United States that could eradicate, Gay rights, women’s rights, and that your marriage could be dissolved. Learn more in this Episode about what I didn’t know! My focus today is on Christians Against Christian Nationalism. This is a need to know for all people.

I met The Rev. Mother Julie one afternoon at the Parish after she was called to be our Priest in charge while our Rector was out on medical leave. As I had done with all the fill in Priests, I asked her whether she believed that homosexuality was a sin. Her answer, was not what I expected, but it was what I needed. She told me a story that was filled with pain and duty. She had served as a member of the Judge Advocate General’s Corps as a prosecutor and later at the Pentagon, specializing in medico-legal and constitutional law. She is proud of her service and grateful for, what she calls, her ”Damascus Road Moment.”

Kathy Kirkpatrick is the head of her local Democratic Party. She sends a clear message that if we don’t stay informed about the bills and laws that are being passed toward the LGBTQIA+ community, we will most certainly lose the rights that we have gained and it could be detrimental to our way of life. Kathy is convinced that, ”We can make a difference,” and if we don’t, the conservative right wing agenda will erase our rights, women’s rights, and the minority rights. Listen, Share, and get involved!