You guys ROCK!

[jlgdrd]

My name is Christopher Stephen Soden and I live in Dallas, Texas. In May I will be 51. (I am a Summer and look good in turquoise and a Periwinke Blue.)
I cannot begin to describe the encouragement and delight I feel from discovering this organization. I struggled for a long time with my queer orientation before finally realizing that I was as God intended me to be, but needless to say, along the way I agonized, prayed, struggled with self-loathing and self-denial, all because I was convinced I was contemptible in the eyes of God. What continues to astonish me is how many members of the right-wing Fundamentalist Christians (especially their ministers) seem to know more about what it means to be gay, than actual people?! And they certainly don't seem to be hesitant about stirring up hatred and using incendiary language to foment hate crimes, though their response to such charges seem to be invariably disingenuous. In September of 2008 I wrote and produced a show called Queer Anarchy that did very well here in Dallas. Frankly, better than I expected. I received my MFA in Writing: Poetry from Vermont College in January 2005 and write: poetry, plays, performance pieces and critique. A great deal of my poetry and drama deal with being gay in American culture, much of it doesn't. But as you've probably surmised, I am eager and proud to use my gifts to try and enlighten folks, as I once suffered intensely from the misconception that same-gender sexual connection and romance is a sin or some kind of moral degeneracy. Far too many ignorant individuals simply toss GLBT love into the same category as polymorphous perversity or depravity. They haven't got a clue, but that doesn't keep them from going on and on about their supposed "insights". The misery they cause is immeasurable, yet we here in the United States, can't even manage to pass a simple, inclusive, hate crimes bill, 10 years after the disgraceful murder of Matthew Shepard. Supposedly (was it Bush who said this?) because it would curb cetrain pastor's "Freedom of Speech"? Was there ever a clearer link between the pulpit and the lynch mob? I am proud to be a member of this organization and hope it will only be the next step in helping to eradicate the atrocties that still go unchecked, by people with the audacity to claim they are acting on God's mandate. It is unconscionable, reprehensible and despicable.


Sincerely,

Christopher S. Soden


***

Christopher Stephen Soden is a native Texan. He is a writer, teacher, critic, lecturer and performer. He is a founding member of The Dallas Poets Community and for more than fifteen years served as Director, President, President Emeritus, Event Coodinator and Board Member, helping them to win The Dallas Observer's Best Poetry Reading Award. Christopher received his MFA in Writing (Poetry) from Vermont College in January of 2005. He has taught classes and guest lectured on the subjects of craft, theory, genre, literature and publication. Several years ago he was a film critic for The Ft. Worth Ally and currently he writes theatre critique for EDGEdallas.com. He has written poetry, plays, performance pieces, literary, film and theatre critique. His honors include: Distinguished Poets of Dallas, Poetry Society of America's Poetry in Motion Series, President and President Emeritus of The Dallas Poets Community. Finalist with 4Th Unity and LSU Outworks Festival. His work has appeared in : Sentence, Borderlands, Off the Rocks, The James White Review, The New Writer, Velvet Mafia, Poetry Super Highway, Gertrude, Touch of Eros, Gents, Bad Boys and Barbarians, Windy City Times, ArLiJo, Best Texas Writing 2.

[christa08]

Hello, Christopher

I am a native Texan as well. I'm from Wichita Falls but now I live in Denver, CO.

I enjoyed your story. I think it's great that you're using your talents for the greater good I look forward to reading more of your posts.

Christa

[Montanna]

Hello Christopher, Glad you are here and I look forward to your input. Last spring I was in The Laramie Project and we performed the Tectonic Theater Project script. We did it as a fund-raiser for Pride. It was different from the movie version and people found it more powerful. This spring in March the local University puts on a Social Justice Conference. They just sent out a notice calling for presenters. It can either be informational or a dramatic performance or skits. Have you written anything that we could use to promote understanding of GLBT issues? How would I find out? I'm not very computer literate, so be specific. Thanks. Blessings. Montanna

[alphie]

Hello Christopher: I really appreciate your post - especially the part of your post below.
It is crazy that we can't pass a simple hate crimes bill!!
Love,
alphie

"I once suffered intensely from the misconception that same-gender sexual connection and romance is a sin or some kind of moral degeneracy. Far too many ignorant individuals simply toss GLBT love into the same category as polymorphous perversity or depravity. They haven't got a clue, but that doesn't keep them from going on and on about their supposed "insights". The misery they cause is immeasurable, yet we here in the United States, can't even manage to pass a simple, inclusive, hate crimes bill, 10 years after the disgraceful murder of Matthew Shepard. Supposedly (was it Bush who said this?) because it would curb cetrain pastor's "Freedom of Speech"? Was there ever a clearer link between the pulpit and the lynch mob? I am proud to be a member of this organization and hope it will only be the next step in helping to eradicate the atrocties that still go unchecked, by people with the audacity to claim they are acting on God's mandate. It is unconscionable, reprehensible and despicable."

[jlgdrd]

Originally Posted by Montanna

Hello Christopher, Glad you are here and I look forward to your input. Last spring I was in The Laramie Project and we performed the Tectonic Theater Project script. We did it as a fund-raiser for Pride. It was different from the movie version and people found it more powerful. This spring in March the local University puts on a Social Justice Conference. They just sent out a notice calling for presenters. It can either be informational or a dramatic performance or skits. Have you written anything that we could use to promote understanding of GLBT issues? How would I find out? I'm not very computer literate, so be specific. Thanks. Blessings. Montanna

I am very serious when I say that despite the title, I truly believe that QUEER ANARCHY should help promote understanding of the GLBT Community, even if it is angry. I can send you a copy as attachment or via snail mail.

[Gennee]

Hi Christopher and welcome to the site. Thank you for sharing your story. It's wonderful that you are using your talents and gifts in a God glorying way. I'm sure many people have been touched by your work. I pray that many in the future will be blessed.

Gennee