Biblical Lesson Over Dinner

[Gennee]

Whenever I attend my bimonthly bible study at the center, I am blessed by the fellowship and God's word made clearer to me. This past Tuesday we studied faithfullness, on eof the fruits of the spirit.

A few of us meet for dinner prior to the bible study. We discuss a number of topics from the elections to gay issues to our life experiences. The greatest piece of instruction I received was learning about my brothers and sisters were comfortable with their sexuality. I learned that many knew that they were gay or lesbian when they were young children. This fostered my belief that sexual orientation is inborn and not a lifestyle. My love for gay people has grown since then.

In my own life when I came out to myself as transgender, love for my GLB brothers and sisters was automatic. I didn't have to think about it. I just loved. When I hear how gay and lesbian folks are tortured, villified, and harmed it breaks my heart. When I see what the AIDS epidemic has done to people, I have to keep from breaking down . This is something different for me because I generally don't show my emotions. Maybe being transgender has made me more genuine.

I remember Jesus' words 'love the Lord your God with all your heart' and love your neighbor as yourself'. This is a lesson that we all need to remember. This is a lesson that those who persecute us need to meditate on. If I read or hear someone,especially in religious say anything to demean GLBTQI people I have to respond. It's wrong, it's offensive, and I have to say something about it.

I live learning new things from the scriptures. This is what I took from being with my gay and lesbian friends who are beautiful Christians.

Gennee

[Pablo Rafael]

Gennee,

I would so love to have an LGBT Bible study here. I have become kind of disconnected from Bible studies the past few years and miss it greatly. Getting together with others to learn of the love and majesty of God is a wonderful thing.

Maybe I should try to start an LGBT Bible study. I am not a good leader. I work best in a support role. Also in a lightly populated rural area I might be the only one in the group.

Pablo

[Gennee]

It's a good idea, Pablo. I bet there are GLBT people waiting for someone to make the first move.

Gennee