Gay and Christian?
Reconciling Sexuality and Religion
Jen Hoffman
Issue date: 12/8/08 Section: Editorials
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GCN's mission is to assist LGBT Christians seeking to reconcile their faith and sexuality. The Network also focuses on families wrestling through a family member's coming out, and seeks to provide information to churches working through various issues regarding sexuality and religion.
The dialogue, which took place at 9 p.m. in the Marx Center, was sponsored by Lost Hope Ministries, Multicultural Affairs and Student Activities.
Dj Thompson, a senior at Hood, is the founder and president of Lost Hope Ministries, a new organization designed to support LGBT Christians and other minorities who feel ostracized by their church congregations on account of their differences.
Thompson was a key player in orchestrating the event, believing that GCN's message of tolerance and acceptance is needed at Hood.
"On campus you have the gay groups and Christian groups, and nothing in between," Thompson explained. "Lots of people say, 'how can you be a Christian when you're gay?' It's easy when you have the belief and the faith."
Thompson referenced Lance Bass, a member of the hit pop group N*Sync and son of a Southern Baptist preacher. When Bass came out of the closet in 2006, he was asked how he could reconcile his sexual orientation and his faith.
"My religion is between me and God," Bass replied. "It's not between other people and God."
Lee began the evening with the story of his own background, recounting how he had grown up in a southern, conservative Christian household and spent years trying to suppress his sexuality because he believed that it was wrong. Gradually, through reading the Bible and talking with other gay Christians, Lee's views changed.
"GCN came out of realizing there are millions of people in the same situation, believe that God doesn't love them." he said.
Julie Barrick, a freshman, said that Justin Lee's presentation was amazing and enlightening.
"He made it clear that God still loves gays," she said, which is a refreshing reminder for her after facing open persecution at home as a result of her sexuality.
Growing up in a southern, conservative town, Barrick was used to having to keep her orientation a secret.
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