Hello, My Name Is Joann

[Dakota]

:) I am 41 years old, and I live in the United States. I came to this Forum because I've just finished reading Dr. Mel White's book, Religion Gone Bad: The Hidden Dangers Of The Christian Right. I was once a fundamentalist Christian myself, and while I am still a Christian and always will be, Religion Gone Bad both angered and frightened me enough to realize how dangerous my own mindset really was. I now want to change, but without resorting to hating or avoiding my fundamentalist Christian brothers and sisters. But the irony is, I consider myself a gay woman who once tried to overcome my homosexual desires for other women through prayer and all sorts of other things because I thought it was something I had to do in order to be a Christian. In other words, I tried to be something I wasn't because I couldn't be accepted as a gay or lesbian Christian. But while I am finally over my recent sexual obsession over a Christian friend of mine who was once a gay woman herself but had eventually obtained a husband and did not want a sexual relationship with me, I now realize that, just like an alcoholic will always be an alcoholic even if they give up drinking, a homosexual cannot change who they are, either, even if they remain celibate all their lives like I did. In other words, up until I read Religion Gone Bad, I did not show any compassion for gays and lesbians at all, and I may have been bashing them in an effort to hide my own secret homosexual desires to avoid being shamed, ostracized, and condemned by my fellow Christian brothers and sisters. In a sense, I wanted to belong, to fit in, in order to be saved, but the free-spirited nonconformist in me felt secretly disgusted with myself and wanted to rebel, to lash out at the very same people who forced me to hide my true self because I didn't want to be gay-bashed, pressured to repent or else, and condemned. Does this sound familiar? Anyway, I'm new here, and I'd like to make some friends. How many of you have read Religion Gone Bad, and what did you think of it?

[Gennee]

Welcome to Soulforce, Joann. I read 'Religion Gone Bad' last year. I finished the book in five days. I couldn't put it down. God loves us unconditionally. I am a trans-gender person and a Christian who He loves.

My story can be found at the website below at epistle.us. Look under authors then scroll down to Gennee. The article is titled 'Trans-gender and Christian'.

Once again, welcome.

Gennee
:love::wave:

[Jennifer5]

Welcome Joann :wave:

I haven't read 'Religion Gone Bad' yet, it's been on my to-do list since it came out. After what you wrote, I am again reminded that I really need to do so. From everything I've heard, it's an amazing book.

I've been enjoying your posts, glad to have you here. :rainbow:

[Dakota]

:) Awww! Thanks again for the warm welcome! It really is a pleasure to be here, and again, to be loved by caring, nonjudgmental people who are only after Christ's heart and not out to hate, condemn, or exclude anyone. What a sweet breath of fresh air! While I'm not quite sure of who I am as far as gay, lesbian, transgender, or straight is concerned (although I've experienced sexual feelings for other women before), the only thing that I know and truly care about is being myself (since I can't really be anything else, right?) and loving and accepting other people who are different and not afraid to express themselves. After all, isn't that why God made us the unique individuals that we are in the first place? It's just such a shame that the so-called traditional (fundamentalist) Christians can't or won't accept us for who we are and are always out to try and change us, isn't it? But I guess in their eyes and traditional way of believing, we are allowed to be ourselves only as long as we agree with everything that they want to preach to us and stick with what they believe is normal and acceptable behavior for a Christian. Oh well! Let them go ahead and think what they want, as long as they leave me alone. They are still my brothers and sisters in Christ, and many of them are my closest friends (but I no longer agree with everything that they say), so I will always love them and pray that one day God will open the eyes of their hearts and show them how to truly love others, differences and all. Gennee, you are a wonderful writer and a true gift from God, and I am happy that God is granting me the pleasure of getting to know you. I wish I could hug you! No matter what anybody says about you, I don't believe that you are a shame to society just because you like wearing women's clothes. Heck, I like to keep my hair cut short, and although I still wear clothes that are made for women, I don't go for any of that uncomfortable frilly stuff like dresses, skirts, makeup, etc. I wear whatever I like to wear that I feel most comfortable in, and so far, except for my dad harping at me for cutting my own hair (which I don't do much anymore because I'm sick of my dad being a jerk about it), I've been totally blessed with friends who never say a single mean thing about it. Someday, though, because I am developmentally disabled and require living assistance, I'll finally be moving out of my parents' house for good (where I've been living all 41-and-a-half years of my life) and living with a close friend of mine and her husband, who are inviting me into their home until a more permanent placement can be arranged for me. That's when I'll finally feel truly free, because I'll no longer be under my dad's stifling, mean-spirited control. Anyway, This post is for everyone on this Forum to read and to enjoy, but I wrote it mostly for Gennee and Jennifer5, just because you two are making me feel most welcome. Hugs to both of you, and God bless! :)

[Gennee]

Joann, if you don't want any of those skirts, dresses and stuff, I'll gladly accept them.:lol::lol:

Gennee

:lol::lol:

[alphie]

Welcome Joann - I think most people would agree that coming out is a process.
I came out as a lesbian about a year ago at the age of 39.
I hope you continue to find friends, hope and encouragement here at Soulforce!! Keep us posted.:)

[BruceChris]

I had read your posting earlier, but I did not find anything that I felt I might have to offer. Now that I've read your second post, I an getting a much better feel for who you are. You seem to be a gentle person, and I am sure that you could find many friends here.

Come back and talk to us more, perhaps tell us more about your living situation, and even give us your own opinions on the discussions you find here.

Joann, we celebrate you, Bruce Chris

[Dakota]

:cool: Did I ever mention that you are the coolest bunch of people I have ever met? Sorry, Gennee, I do not have any dresses, skirts, blouses, or anything of that nature anymore. I stopped wearing that stuff when I was ten years old. Otherwise, I'd be glad to give them to you. Thanks again, guys, for your support and encouragement (gals, too). You really are the best! :cool:

[antiochian]

Merry Meet and welcome! I tried to overcome my sexuality as well, but no matter how much I prayed, I was still turned on by fellas. :) Some people never do come to terms with who they are, because the fear has been so ingrained in them. I decided that I did not want to be one of those people, and am thankful for having found the courage to come out to the extent I have. Bright blessings!

[Libby]

My story is very close to yours. I hope you continue to visit here.

When I have an update to my story, it will be posted on this site.

In the meantime I'll be reading yours and others.

[prairielesbian]

Oh yes, the days where we tried to pray to change who we are - I've been there also. Needless to say, prayer didn't work. :)

I have not read "religion Gone bad" but did read "Stranger At the Gate" by Mel White - did you read that one yet? Another fine read.

Welcome to the S Force!

Teresa <><

[Gennee]

Oh yes, the days where we tried to pray to change who we are - I've been there also. Needless to say, prayer didn't work. :)

I have not read "religion Gone bad" but did read "Stranger At the Gate" by Mel White - did you read that one yet? Another fine read.

Welcome to the S Force!

Teresa <><

Hi Prairie, I read 'Religion Gone Bad' last year. Couldn't put it down. I have 'Stranger At The Gate' which I will read in the near future.

Gennee

[prairielesbian]

Hi Prairie, I read 'Religion Gone Bad' last year. Couldn't put it down. I have 'Stranger At The Gate' which I will read in the near future.

Gennee


Stanger at the Gate, will be another book that you won't put down. I had it read in two days. Great read!!!!