My theory on why the GLBT community is so friendly...

[Jennifer5]

People will say, that the GLBT community really isn’t any better or worse then a straight community… but I disagree because GLBT people really know what “love” means.

The day that you see a parent, sibling, or your best friend in the world turn around and walk away from you because you are GLBT… never even giving you the chance to explain… that is the day that your life is changed either for better or for worse.

You could become bitter and chose to give up all hope, or you can be one of those to go on and mean the world to someone.

All of a sudden, saying “I love you” to a person has a different meaning. Considering someone a friend, has a different meaning and you probably end up choosing friends who will be there for you no matter what happens.

I think that when a person is turned away from their own home and has to overcome such pain… that that person becomes much more understanding towards all people and issues. And that is what makes the GLBT community so much more loving and understanding.




I don’t really have anything that will support what I just said… just me thinking… and now, I’m just putting it out there. :love: I love you all! This community keeps people going when life gets tough. We all have our moments of weakness and I think for many of us, this place is a sanctuary. :earth: :dove: :flower:

[u-dog]

I have no more evidence than you do Jenn... just a few more years experience in the world... but I agree with you. Being outcast (or even knowing that you COULD be outcast if people knew your secret) has a way of changing your way of being in the world. That's probably why Gay Christians love Jesus so much more than "THEY" do!

JUST KIDDING !!;) (sort of):rolleyes:

[Vanessa White]

My darling Jennifer: I could not agree more. It is a total sanctuary here, a safe haven from a world that at times, seems like it has gone mad. I am amazed at how unjaded many of us here are, after having experienced that rejection first hand, or that our loved ones have been exposed to. We are superb, loving, embracing creatures, with a sense of humour, a sense of justice, a need to connect and love and belong. I am grateful for finding all of you each and every day. :love:

[Zerbie]

My darling Jennifer: I could not agree more. It is a total sanctuary here, a safe haven from a world that at times, seems like it has gone mad. I am amazed at how unjaded many of us here are, after having experienced that rejection first hand, or that our loved ones have been exposed to. We are superb, loving, embracing creatures, with a sense of humour, a sense of justice, a need to connect and love and belong. I am grateful for finding all of you each and every day. :love:

Yeah, it is amazing.

Whenever I start going into bubble-land & think everything is so cool and non-homophobic, something happens. Usually it's some little detail, but those little details burn into my memory. People around me who react with surprise that I care about and am involved in these issues - the sense of surprise upon meeting someone (me) who cares and speaks openly about these issues still makes my heart sink. Like the gay colleagues who, when they happen to hear about the activities I've been involved in (the campaign, etc) light up with complete surprise and say "Really?!?!?! You're volunteering for (fill-in-the-blank)?!!!!" Like they would just never have expected it. :( These are among the most caring, exemplary human beings I know; it hurts deeply to know they don't feel they can expect to be completely embraced and valued for all of who they are.

[Ryanne Monday]

I totally agree that people here are so sweet and I just got here, but instantly you can just feel that these people care. That they see the world from all sides and that they'll actually listen to you.
It's an M-azing feeling to know that there's this community that I can relate to. That helps and supports one another. Just reading through some of the things here.
Just M-azing.

[Zerbie]

I totally agree that people here are so sweet and I just got here, but instantly you can just feel that these people care. That they see the world from all sides and that they'll actually listen to you.
It's an M-azing feeling to know that there's this community that I can relate to. That helps and supports one another. Just reading through some of the things here.
Just M-azing.

Isn't it?! Yeah! :agree:

It's also immensely needed. Seems to me that the world has grown colder and angrier in recent years. Does it seem that way to anyone else? That people connect less deeply and less authentically - that interaction itself is going plastic and sound-byte? It denies everything that human life needs to be about.

But then, there's this website, which is so unlike any other. The virtual :love:s feel almost like real ones.

[elcharrom]

True that Jennifer, we understand others in pain more only because we've been through it probably since we were children. The pain changes you in ways you'll never imagine, add God to the mix and there's no way you can go wrong :)

[Jennifer5]

Thank you all. I had forgotten all about this thread... :)

[elcharrom]

Thank you all. I had forgotten all about this thread... :)

You funny Jennifer :)

[Jennifer5]

You funny Jennifer :)

man you're easily amused....

[elcharrom]

man you're easily amused....

Haha yea I am main mayne :D

[pnggrad79]

People will say, that the GLBT community really isn’t any better or worse then a straight community… but I disagree because GLBT people really know what “love” means.

The day that you see a parent, sibling, or your best friend in the world turn around and walk away from you because you are GLBT… never even giving you the chance to explain… that is the day that your life is changed either for better or for worse.

You could become bitter and chose to give up all hope, or you can be one of those to go on and mean the world to someone.

All of a sudden, saying “I love you” to a person has a different meaning. Considering someone a friend, has a different meaning and you probably end up choosing friends who will be there for you no matter what happens.

I think that when a person is turned away from their own home and has to overcome such pain… that that person becomes much more understanding towards all people and issues. And that is what makes the GLBT community so much more loving and understanding.




I don’t really have anything that will support what I just said… just me thinking… and now, I’m just putting it out there. :love: I love you all! This community keeps people going when life gets tough. We all have our moments of weakness and I think for many of us, this place is a sanctuary. :earth: :dove: :flower:

Jen,
You are quite right! I think you hit the nail on the head. The glbt community as a whole, is a hurting community but they also have risen from the rejection of family, of the government and emerged as a beautiful testament to the fact that God does "make all things work together for good". Good observation.:D

[paul]

Jenn,

Great post. I think you are right when you say: "You could become bitter and chose to give up all hope, or you can be one of those to go on and mean the world to someone." I think this is very insightful. I think it can go either way at any time, so I think we need to guard against bitterness and choose faith, hope and love. Rejection, being hurt unjustly, all the stuff that comes at us because we're GLBT is evil that can be turned to good if we use it to become sensitive to all people.

I came out about nine months ago and must say the first people to really embrace and support me were all straight. I came out over at XNforum and was wonderfully received and understood. I was shocked. My experiences in the gay community have been limited, but I have met many gays who are wounded and gone the way of "bitterness" to some degree or another. Soulforce is my first experience with a gay community that I am actually proud to be a part of.