An unexpected end to our evening

After an exciting, albeit wet, day at the Saratoga County Fair, the northern van joined up with Albany’s MCC church for an evening forum featuring a documentary screening, discussion of our work ahead, and sharing of stories. I for one was very encouraged to meet the locals of Albany and hear their stories. As our evening was winding down, four young adults made their way into Emmanuel Baptist Church. The conversation quickly moved from marriage equality to Biblical morality as we cleared out of the church.

Matt, Katie, Cat, Rob, and I sat on the stairs of the church and continued to talk about faith, God, and identity. I found many commonalities with these individuals: growing up being taught that being gay is sinful, being told that change is possible and necessary, and struggling to stay focused on God in the midst of so much uncertainty. I did not find commonality in their insistence that accepting one’s sexual orientation and seeking to live that out in a healthy and Christ-centered way is sin.

At the fair today, I met a variety of people–many excited to meet us, a few interested to learn what we were about, and one or two who were very antagonistic. The time I spent with these four individuals reminded me more than anything of the importance of what we are doing. Beyond the rhetoric and the lobbying organizations there are individual lives hanging in the balance. Lives of people like Eli, Steven, Crystal, and Priyali who have been caught in the crossfire, caused to think that their ability to love and support is shameful and sinful.

My love is not a sin.

And so tomorrow we wake up and will meet with Senator Farley, Assemblywoman Sayward, and Assemblyman McDonald to remind them of the New Yorkers in their districts who need to know that they are valued. These lawmakers have the opportunity to be a powerful voice. I wonder where Eli, Steven, Crystal and Priyali would be if they knew that God, their church, and their community loved them and supported them?

I’m excited at the prospect of living in a country that would never even question my right to marry in he first place. And I’m excited at the role that these lawmakers and the other citizens that we meet will play.

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