We are in 2016/2017 and discrimination is still happening. I'm writing this for the main purpose of giving a voice to those who feel like they have no one to look up to, and no opportunity to speak up. For those who are teased, bullied, and discriminated against for being yourself-- I stand with you.
This year's lock-in was during Thanksgiving Break for college students, so current high school FCA leaders reached out to alumni, asking us if we would be interested in volunteering for the event. I agreed to do so, and signed up for a time slot. When I was in high school, I was not out of the closet. However, it was early my 2nd year in college where I publicly came out as gay. Because of this, I was not allowed to volunteer. FCA may claim it was my beliefs that were the reason I couldn't come back (i.e. I didn't subscribe to the traditional "biblical" definition of marriage being one man and one woman). However, the only way I can logically perceive this situation is that I was discriminated against due to my sexual orientation. As I see it, claiming it was due to beliefs is simply an attempt to disguise discriminatory action. Here's the thing-- it is very upsetting, yes. It is wrong. We are in 2016/2017 and discrimination is still happening. What's worse, it's all done in God's name. But that's not the main point. The point is that there are so many young, vulnerable middle school and high school students who are trying to figure themselves out, and who do not have the platform or privilege that I do to speak up. Being LGBTQ is not easy, especially during teenage years. As someone who is gay, I want to personally say I hear you. I know what it is like to feel hopeless, to feel confused, to feel lost, and to feel misunderstood. And if there's one thing I want you to know, it's that you are loved and you are perfect the way you are. Don't let anyone tell you that you have to change
It is my hope that they are fully embraced and unconditionally loved by the Church. It is my hope that society will be at the point where we look back at events such as discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in the name of God with as much disgust as we do when thinking about discrimination on the basis of race. Because unfortunately, racial discrimination was justified using the Bible, which parallels the situation and dynamic we see happening today.
If you are an ally of the LGBTQ community, I urge you to continue to be vocal supporters. We need you to be bold and help us in our fight for justice. If you are someone who identifies as LGBTQ and feels voiceless, or is suffering in silence, I am sorry. You are never alone. DM me, talk to a friend, go to an affirming faith community, listen to coming out stories on YouTube, the list goes on and on. There are resources for you to help you through the process of accepting yourself, and navigating our heteronormative world. Here's the good news-- history is on our side. If we keep fighting to have our voices heard, I am optimistic that love will conquer fear. That the light will outshine the darkness. And justice will overcome oppression. Because in the end, Love Wins.
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Marcus MillerHello! Thank you for checking out my blog. I graduated from Johnston High School in Iowa back in 2015, and am attending the University of Iowa, where I am studying political science and ethics and public policy. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Archives
May 2018
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