Today's announcement

[Jamie McDaniel]

If you didn't catch today's announcement in the email alert, Jan. 31 is my last day on staff with Soulforce.

I just wanted to say that I am thankful for the mutually beneficial opportunity I had with Soulforce as their director of web development during the past four years. I continue to support the organization and know that, in our own way, we will all be working for that day when homophobia is but a scar that we talk about in past tense and is no longer an affliction to the health of the human race.

That's not where we are today, of course. While you are ok with who you are and your life seems in good order, there are people out there, closer than you know, who are beginning a journey similar to the one you may have taken.

To be sure, things are different now. Thanks to the work of those who happened to be born a few decades earlier than us, a great number of gays, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people today have decided to live open, authentic lives. We first ended the lie of the closet and then the lies of omission regarding our love, families, and faith.

Still, there is the invisible gay community. Hidden -- not in terms of having never been on The Real World, or their local news or paper, or having a popular blog or even a rainbow sticker on their car. I mean invisible in that no one knows, no one with whom they connect with on a regular basis. They carefully manage how they express their attractions and feel a deep sense of loneliness in being cut off from "their people." Anyone able to remember how that feels?

It's 2009. Do you think the invisible gay community is still a significant number? Do you think we still have a long way to go to gain full equality? If so, I know you will continue to be out and support your LGBT advocacy groups like Soulforce.

Best to you, friends!

Jamie McDaniel

[andrewlittle]

... and all I can say is, "Shyiiit. I didn't even know that stuff existed."

Jamie, can I assume, without making me an ass, that you may remain a Soulforce compatriot. Will you, at least, be giving us your two cents worth (which is worth considerably more than my two cents worth) once in a while?

It has certainly been a pleasure knowing you, but would be so much more pleasurable to keep knowing you.

That said, I might have to contact you about a Church Within a Church project. Hmmm.

Andy

[Daniel]

Thank you for your presence, hard work and dedication to these forums and the mission of SoulForce. I wish you much success, happiness and joy in your new endeavors.

[Gennee]

Jamie, I wish to thankful for hard work and dedication. You were the first person to welcome me when I first joined and I'll always remember that. I looked at your website and it's pretty awesome. God bless you in your future endeavors.

Gennee

[pnggrad79]

Jamie,
It has been a pleasure to know you and all you have done to further SF's vision and purpose. Hope to see you around. Best to you!

[Jamie McDaniel]

Oh, I think I'll be around. I just felt the need to sing a little song as I exited the stage. You know... drama queen and gay man, peanut butter and chocolate.

<-- me waving goodbye, but probably saying hello again. Yeah, just like Gandalf the White!

[Jennifer5]

It's sad to hear that you're leaving us, but I hope we'll still see you on here!

You're a great guy and you have brought this community a lot.

I hope we'll see you around.

[Emproph]

Originally Posted by Jamie McDaniel

Oh, I think I'll be around. I just felt the need to sing a little song as I exited the stage. You know... drama queen and gay man, peanut butter and chocolate.

Julie Andrews and Sickeningly Sweet…