Loving My Neighbor

[Gennee]

I was just struck with the notion of what it means to love your neighbor as yourself. I have been a Christian for many years and I understand my neighbor to be anyone regardless of how they feel about me.

I bring this subject up because I have read so many posts here and on other forums about how men and women left their church because of their sexual or gender identity. It is the same thing when a person of another color or culture moves into the neighborhood. What hurts me is that people rob themselves of learning about the other person. I always maintain that in order to really know someone, you have to find some common ground in which you can share.

I have learned so much about the gay and lesbian community just by being with them and taking with them. I share what it is like to be transgender. I only discovered that I was transgender 2 1/2 years ago. I can honestly say that I never had anything against LGBT people at the time. How could I? I didn't know any gay people or anything about them. I would be a hippocrite if I didn't show my love to them.

Today, I am happy to say that my love for the gay and lesbian community knows no bounds. I believe that I am a better person because I understand some of the issues that you deal with. Being a neighbor is being willing to put aside all preconceived notions and seek in earnest about what the person is about. This love has really blossomed because I met and know gay people who are comfortable with you as they are. I shared many times that I am comfortable and content as a transgender.

There are those who wish to hurt and harm us but we are to pray and love them in spite of how they act. It is wonderful when someone who has been homophobic and transphobic realize one day that they are wrong. If they genuinely repent and forge friendships, an ally has been gained.

Gennee