Hi there!

[JustinS]

Greetings all!

My name is Justin. I currently live in Syracuse, NY after receiving my masters degree in journalism from Syracuse University. I am originally from Houston, Texas.
I have a big interest in the Christian and Gay issues. Being a Christian myself I was raised in an evangelical church. My parents are deacons and my brother and sisters are all missionaries to India, Indonesia and Sudan. Needless to say having a gay son wasn't exactly in the family to-do-list.
I went through therapy to try to become straight and attended ministry school and spoke/attended many conferences around the country. I then received my bachelors in English in Texas and moved here in 2005.
As far as fun stuff, I like reading, movies, hanging out with my boyfriend and just having a good time with friends.
I think one of the more interesting things I have encountered here is the fact that in Texas Christians didnt like me cause I was gay, but here, many gays dont like the fact that I am Christian. I find that a very interesting dynamic.
So as I have probably rambled enough I will stop now.

All the best,
Justin

[BenL]

Welcome to Soulforce and the forums.

I don't know if you are currently using or plan to use your journalism degree professionally, but if you are, you might be interested in a national organization of gay news people. Their web site is at http://www.nlgja.org/

I have worked for a newspaper for 37 years, as a reporter, copy editor, editorial writer, and now I am the newspaper's librarian. It's a good profession, all in all. Good luck in your career.

Again, welcome. Use those journalistic skills to enter the dialogue and keep the rest of us informed about what's important to you.

BenL

[Zerbie]

Hi Justin and welcome. :)

I lived in Houston for a while, probably while you were there (I left in 2003). I miss the humidity!! :D I love the wet air. :p :lol:

[erubre]

Hi Justin, nice to see you here. I understand christians not appreciating you being gay. ( I'm inclined to believe that they many not be christians in the best sense of the term ) I think it is unfortunate that gay people don't like you being christian. At one time I was deeply involved with comservative evangelical christians. I began preparation for Ministry at a well know conservative Bible school, but after a lot of experience with the intolerant, and prejudiced nature of that I separated from that, but I didn't stop being a christian. I continued preparation for Ministry at other institutions. Authentic Christanity, in my opinion, is not predjudiced or intolerant of people with regard to sexual orientation or the form of sexual activity one may engage in. There are many christians in many churches that do not discriminate and are tolerant, Again, nice to see you here.

[superhippy7890]

Welcome, I think you are going to like it here!