Hi, I'm Brandon

[brandonleestewart]

Hello,

My name is Brandon, and I am 25 and live in Northern Ohio. I have recently come to grips with the fact that I am gay, and I am currently learning to accept that about myself and integrate it into the rest of my life. It has not been an easy journey thus far! I am part of an evangelical Christian Church which doesn't help this journey, but despite that, and despite what I hear about myself and people like me from time to time, I still love this group of people, and I find it that that is enough for me to want to stay around. Perhaps, in the end, I can open some eyes as well, by just continuing to love them despite our differences. But, I digress.

I stumbled upon soulforce by accident, through looking for resources to help me to accept myself the way that I am, and thus far, it has been helpful. I joined this community because I feel the need to have community with people who will help me to learn to accept myself. After denying my sexuality from the time I turned 15 until literally a month ago, I feel like it is time to integrate it into my life.

[antiochian]

Welcome, Brandon! Bless your heart, 99% of us here if not more have been down that road of self-denial. It took me a long time to acknowledge my sexuality, and even longer to come anywhere near to accepting it. You've taken an important step in realizing this part of yourself; may you grow to love and embrace it. :)

[BenL]

Hi, Brandon,

you're not alone, as you already suspect. We have had a recent conversation about your very point. You can read it here:
http://www.soulforce.org/forums/showthread.php?t=6026

Welcome to the Soulforce family.

[Zerbie]

Welcome, Brandon.
You've found a good place.

[BruceChris]

"Welcome, Brandon.
You've found a good place".

Good place, Good people.

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

[philip3gw]

:DI'm a member of The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Is this the same church as yours? I play the piano at the United Methodist Church. The bottom line is to love and accept yourself for who you are. If you are happy at your church and they accept you as you are (the song "Just as I am" comes to mind) there shouldn't be a problem. But this website has a lot of useful info and supporting people.:D

[brandonleestewart]

I am an American Baptist, and my church is one of the conservative voices in that denomination. I guess I should've been more clear, that's what I get for posting before I had my coffee. :) And as for them accepting it, I haven't told anyone yet, at this moment in time, I am honestly worried about doing so. I know I need to eventually, but it isn't an easy thing.

[alphie]

Hello Brandon - I wish to assure you that you are going to be okay. From my personal understanding - coming out is a 'process' - I've only been out for about a year.
Please read Psalm 139 and then read it again out loud with your name to replace me or my in the scripture.
There will be struggles, but remember - It's called the Christian walk, not the cake walk.
Also as a funny side-note, the town you live in Ohio is not Northern Ohio - everything south of Solon is the South - in my humble opinion.
Peace Brandon - I will keep you in prayer.

[BruceChris]

Of sanctioning bodies. Similar to a diocese, or a presbytery. In Minneapolis, here, on the University campus the American Baptist church has had an openly lesbian minister. Their sanctioning body is somewhere in upper New York state.

I'm sure it's different where you are, but us liberals sometime turn up in the darnedest places.

I believe that God loves you, and that (S)He made you just as you are.

Bruce Chris

[Adam42]

I just joined the forums here myself but I thought I would say hi. It's so nice to know that there are people out there who are going through things you are going through or have already been through them.
It's hard to make a decision that could create tension among the groups of people you love. But in order to be fully available to them, you have to be honest about these feelings and attractions which you can't change. I think queerness is a gift. May we all come to know how God wants us to use it!

[Gennee]

:love:Welcome to the site Brandon.

Gennee


:wave::love:

[brandonleestewart]

Of sanctioning bodies. Similar to a diocese, or a presbytery. In Minneapolis, here, on the University campus the American Baptist church has had an openly lesbian minister. Their sanctioning body is somewhere in upper New York state.

I'm sure it's different where you are, but us liberals sometime turn up in the darnedest places.

I believe that God loves you, and that (S)He made you just as you are.

Bruce Chris

It is true that American Baptist Churches of the Rochester/Genesee (sp?) region accepts homosexual clergy. American Baptist Churches of Ohio does not, and the closest church to me that is Welcoming and Affirming is in a town that is almost an hour away, so it makes it difficult.

[u-dog]

I was born in Sandusky and grew up in Huron. You might have heard of those places? Glad you found your way here. Blessings on your spiritual journey and your journey out of the closet. What city is that open and affirming congregation in, if I may ask? Have you checked out any of the college towns? The small liberal arts colleges in OH tend to be pretty liberal and may have worshipping communities that are open and affirming. I'm thinking of Oberlin in particular, but also Wooster ... maybe Ashland (though I doubt it) Heidelberg in Tiffin?

Anyway, just a thought. All the best.

U-dog

[u-dog]

Have I got a church for you! half an hour away in Oberlin! It's -- can you believe it? -- AMERICAN BAPTIST. Peace Community Church.

http://www.peacecommunity.mychurch.com/about.html

Really! Am I too good to be true or what? :)

[brandonleestewart]

I was born in Sandusky and grew up in Huron. You might have heard of those places? Glad you found your way here. Blessings on your spiritual journey and your journey out of the closet. What city is that open and affirming congregation in, if I may ask? Have you checked out any of the college towns? The small liberal arts colleges in OH tend to be pretty liberal and may have worshipping communities that are open and affirming. I'm thinking of Oberlin in particular, but also Wooster ... maybe Ashland (though I doubt it) Heidelberg in Tiffin?

Anyway, just a thought. All the best.

U-dog

I work in Sandusky, and live in Norwalk, so, yes, Sandusky and Huron are very familiar to me! That's cool that there is another person here from around the same area I am. I was thinking of Oberlin, although I thought it was further away then it really is, I guess I should work on my geography! :)