Hello, my name is Peter

[peteralexander1968]

I am a 40 year old gay male. I am 5’9” tall and reside in Melbourne (Victoria, Australia). I am Greek-Australian. I am a full time Research and Project Officer at a government department. I have a Bachelor of Arts (Honours). I enjoy research and academic work, especially of a sociological/political/social justice/human rights/sexuality nature.

I have been a Christian since 1996. Predominately I was attending Pentecostal or charismatic Christian churches. I was really into the charismatic movement and at one stage decided to enrol at an Anglican Bible college. I decided to discontinue as it was a culture shock at this Christian college; I was accustomed to the free thinking and challenging academic environment at a secular university.

I actually came ‘out of the closet’ after becoming a Christian. My Christian brothers suggested that I pray about recovering from my homosexuality and seek counselling. So, I decided to go to Exodus International for a few weeks. I found this stifling. I ceased attending church in 2003, when a pastor at the church I attended suggested that I repent of my sins and go to a counsellor ie reparative therapy.

I returned in 1999 to secular university to complete my Honours year. I wrote two papers about Exodus International and about reparative therapy. Since 2001, I have been in a few relationships; longest lasting 9 months.

Anyway, enough of me for the meantime.


Please note: The spelling above is Australian-English - some words will be spelt differently to America-English eg honours rather than honors.

[scott snedeker]

What a dramatic story! feel to jump in! I'm one of the Pagan/Buddhists

[Daniel]

Glad you shared your story! Many here have experienced the same journey. It's not an easy one.

My own past is a Pentecostal one. I left that church shortly after coming out, then spent more than a decade in the Episcopal church as a musican.

If you don't mind me asking: do you still identify as a Christian?

[philip3gw]

Cool Dude! God loves us all. I play the piano for a United Methodist Church accepting of all including GLBT. I'm a member of the Disciples of Christ churches (Gene R's original denomination). I've notice most churches I've played for like having some lively pentecostal music during the worship service. (I always say the worship service needs to be lively or Jesus will get up and leave) ANYWAY: LIFETIME HAS A MOVIE ON TONITE CALLED "PRAYERS FOR BOBBY" I think many people would enjoy and learn from this including PFLAG.

[peteralexander1968]

Thanks to all for your kind words of exhortation and ability to empathise with my predicament.

A lot of gay people I know compartmentalise their lives, for example, at work they do not disclose their sexuality and allow their work colleagues to assume that they are ‘straight’. In society there is an assumption that one is ‘straight’ unless there is something evident to displace this assumption. As a gay Christian, I would also periodically compartmentalise my life – that is, I would not disclose my sexuality and when I conversed with fellow Christians and they asked about marriage etc I wouldn’t disclose I was gay; most churches I attended were charismatic/Pentecostal and evangelical/fundamentalist.

In answer to Daniel’s question - do you still identify as a Christian? – my response isn’t yes or no; this depends on one’s definition of Christian. I am still gay and I’m a child of God and a believer in the atonement and sacrificial death of our lord and saviour Jesus Christ. I do not attend any church.

[Gennee]

Hi Peter and welcome to Soulforce. I am a transgender person who has been a Christian for over 36 years. I reconciled my transgenderism with my faith. God never rejects those who come to him regardless of gender identity or sexuality. I share with others that God loves those who fellowship with Him. I've never been happier.

Gennee

[andrewlittle]

While I have lived here in the States for going on 39 years, I grew up in Melbourne. Most of it was in the not-so-good section of Thornbury and I attended Northcote High School. By brother lives in Wantirna.

Some of my best friends were Greek-Australians. No, really - they were. I'm not just saying that.

Glad to have you onboard.

Andy

[antiochian]

Welcome! I hope you find meaning in your spiritual journey, despite what heterosexist Christians have told you. Some of us simply have to leave that religion altogether and start from scratch, some stay active in the church and try to change it. Here you'll find folks on both sides of that spectrum and everywhere in between. Take care!

[Jennifer5]

Welcome Peter!

It sounds like you've really been up through it by the church, like many here also have. Don't give up on the church though, many will tell you that there are good ones out there. If you believe in the Christian message and if you want to be part of a church (if you don't, just dismiss this), then you shouldn't give up.