Hi, My Name is Kelsey

[bigcatsrule06]

Hi. I'm 19 and I've been out for less than a year. I was attending a Christian University, but even though it isn't one of the more conservative ones, I did not get many positive reactions to coming out and technically just holding hands with another girl could have gotten me expelled. Pretty crazy. Anyway, I've changed my career goals, and with them my college. I'm staying at home this year and going to community college. I want to become a Zoo Keeper/Animal Handler (hopefully specializing in big cats), so right now I'm pre-vet and working on getting into a Training Zoo program. I honestly haven't had much interaction with the GLBT community...it wasn't exactly easy to find people at my college, and this summer has been mostly about work for me. I think I know three other Christian lesbians (two of whom are married to each other...they make a great couple!) and one Christian bisexual, so currently I'm finding it hard to embrace my faith. For a while I tried to deny that I was gay, but that led me down a very dangerous road. Now I suppose I'm suppressing Christianity instead. So, basically, I could really use some GLBT friends, especially Christian ones who can help me believe that being gay and being a Christian is possible. Oh, and sorry for the length...I write a lot. :P

[Pablo Rafael]

Hi Kelsey,

I want to give you a warm welcome.

I am one of those gay Christians who finds no reason to apologize for being either. Unfortunately LGBT Christians are a minority within a minority. In church I find that I am welcomed and accepted among the straight Christians. It would be nice to have more gays in my church, but I have not found another one. (I know they are there; it is a big congregation. I should just make an announcement after church )

I think it is important that LGBT individuals stay and work for change and acceptance in the churches. I also think there is a lot of work to do in the gay community to show that being a Christian isn't necessarily joining the enemy.

The situation for you is much more positive for LGBT individuals than it was when I was your age (too many years ago to mention). Many gains have been made in our society.

Best wishes on your education and career. I think I will let you handle the big cats! Not my choice in careers.

Tu Amigo, Pablo

[BruceChris]

Read the threads, meet the people, express your opinions, maybe even learn some things. I don't know what population centers you may be near, but there are resources out there. Most of the women's movement came to terms with homosexuality years ago, in an accepting and positive manner. You can locate your nearest PFLAG chapter, probably online.

Please come back and chat with us, and meet some of our women members that are in your age group. Of course you should check out some of the resources on this website that address the relationship between Christianity and LGBT concerns. Then there is:

http://www.sisterfriends-together.org/ Which was formerly called ChristianLesbians.org, is a fun read, and contains lots of articles, and oodles of links.

There's http://www.welcomingresources.org another online resource which is run by Reverend Rebecca, a good friend who used to pastor my church:

http://www.soulforce.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1093

(I love posting that link)

And I Love cats, the domestic kind, of course

Come back and chat, there's lots of neat people here.

Peace and Love, Bruce Chris

[nmwolfboy]

Howdy and welcome, Kelsey!

Pre-vet, huh? Wow, that's great.

Like Pablo and others here at Soulforce, i've come to a place of reconciliation between being gay and being a Christian. But i still remember what it was like when that was a painful conflict for me. Give yourself time, and try to stay open to where God leads you, that's the only advice i can offer.

Please feel free to join in the discussions here, and i also encourage you to check out the Soulforce resources found through the pulldowns in the site's webpage headers.

Glad to meet you!

Peace,
scott

[Gennee]

Hi, Kelsey. Welcome to Soulforce. I am Christian and transgender. I reconciled my faith and transgenderism three years ago. today, I am complete and content. There are many wonderful people here who are Christian and LGBT. Feel free to share your concerns, thoughts, and desires. You have friends here.

Gennee




P.S.- I love cats.