Hello, my name is Ty

[Tylur]

My name is Ty (nickname, not biological name). I do not even know how to word my thanks to this website, specifically to Rev. Mel White. I was raised as a very conservative Christian, and like many Christians, part of that involved being ingrained with the message that homosexuality is a choice, and a sin against God. Imagine my suprise, then, when around the age of 17, I started questioning my sexuality, questioning why I was so attracted to other girls, instead of the guys I was dating at the time. When I was 18, I began coming out as a Lesbian, much to the dismay to my Christian family members. (But apparently to the relief of several coworkers, who later told me they had known I was gay long before I did) For the past few years, I have struggled with the guilt of being a lesbian, feeling like I was letting God down - by something I had no control over. Last night, the night of my 21st birthday, I found the link "what the Bible says, and doesn't say, about homosexuality" on someone's Facebook page. Curious, I read Rev. White's arguements, and was nearly in tears by the end. Not once, in the past 4 years of knowing I am a lesbian, had I ever even considered the thought that I had been taught those verses in the Bible out of context. I had never considered that God doesn't even care whether I'm gay or straight, I had only made excuses, like God will forgive me, or I can't help being a lesbian. While I admit that after 21 years of being taught differently, I am still skeptical, Rev. White's words have brought me to a new level of thinking regarding my homosexuality. I have passed on the link to my half-brother, who is a pastor, and my sister, who like me, was raised reading and studying the Bible. I have requested that they read it, and think about it, and give me their opinion. So thank you, Rev. White, for planting a new seed of thought, your words have brought me more hope than I have had in a long time.
Ty