Hi; I'm Anthony

[Glad I Know Him]

My name is Anthony. I'm an adult male who has struggled with my sexual orientation since childhood when I found myself attracted to boys but knew that I wasn't supposed to be.
The plot thickened when I became a born-again Christian in my late teens and have even been used in various ministries in the Fundamentalist / Charistmatic church, where homosexuality is an "abomination".
This has been especially difficult for me having been involved in ministry for years. But, I know that I know God. My user name is "Glad I Know Him". Regardless of what man might think, I know God and I hope to find acceptance and encouragement here that I've never found in my years of struggle. I'm tired and I'm weary with the battle, but, I'm at peace.

[andrewlittle]

I see you found some contact on your other post, but I wanted to let you know you introduction did not fall on deaf ears.

My friend, this is one palce where you can, indeed, find people to walk alongside you as you wrestle this out. There are many - many, many, many - who have experienced what you are going through, and who will lovingly share their walk with you.

May God continue to bless you, Child of God.

Andy

[Gennee]

Welcome to Soulforce, Anthony. Your post brought joy to my heart because you know that God loves you as you are. I'm transgender and God in no uncertain terms embraced me as his child.

Andrew's advice to find someone who will struggle with you is sound. There are wonderful people here on this forum.

Gennee


:love::love::wave:

[Zerbie]

Welcome, Anthony.

I replied to your similar post elsewhere on the forum, but thought it might be nice to extend an official welcome.

You're near Houston? I loved Houston. :) Lived there for several years (went to school there.) I loved the moist warm weather, which most people don't care for. :p
Went to school in the museum district, lived inside the 610 loop not far from the Astrodome, and worked in various places from South Houston and Pasadena mostly, but also further east, and up north by the intergalactic airport. Feel like I know Houston pretty well, and still miss it at times. It was a good restaurant town.

[Jennifer5]

Welcome Anthony, glad to have you here. :wave: :love:

[Adam42]

I had a similar experience with born-again and charismatic congregations. I was praying for revival with people who thought that homosexuality was a spiritual attack on the nation. There were times when I felt like I was breaking my commitment to these groups, and wondered about my integrity in coming out. With the help of some friends, and a lot of personal reflection, I have come to understand that this isn't the case at all. This seems like a truism maybe, and I'm not sure if you relate to it at all, but I think it can be a little belief that sneaks up on us sometimes so I thought I might share it.

The truth is coming out is coming into integrity. Right now I have a wonderful group of queer friends. A lot of what I practiced in the church about love and mutual support I now express in the queer community. For me, this is revival. This is undeniably good. My coming out has been a lot like what my born-again conversion experience was like. I'm grateful every day that God has brought about this change in my life. It's helped me grow deeper with Him, and feel like I am living in an authentic way.

Hopefully this is encouraging! Praises! I wish I had discovered these community forums earlier. It's so good to hear people share about these experiences.