Offering a Straight Apology

Last updated on: August 7, 2011 at 5:34 am by John Shore

Offering a Straight Apology 2011-08-07T05:34:16-08:00 John Shore

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

For about a year now I’ve been aware of the great work being done by Kathy Baldock, of Canyonwalker Connections. I recently invited Kathy to use this space to introduce herself to those of you who may not know her. Readers, meet Kathy. The rest are her words.

In 2000 I had no gay friends (that I knew of), and believed the traditional biblical view of homosexuality. All that changed after I met and became friends with Netto, an agnostic Native American lesbian.

Over the course of the next five years, as Netto and I developed our deep friendship, the gay and Christian issue became personal to me.

For over six years now, I have actively sought equality for glbt Christians in the church. After dozens of glbt Christian conferences, where I was one of the few or only straight Christians present, God has deepened my compassion and created within me a zeal to speak to, and stand for, these too long maligned brothers and sisters in Christ.

This year I formed a 501(c)3 called Canyonwalker Connections, the mission of which is to repair the breach between the church and the glbt Christian community. Through my blog, CanyonwalkerConnections.com, I seek to educate people on issues of reconciling faith with sexual orientation and gender identity. I challenge those who belief that “gay and Christian” is an oxymoron to think beyond the English words in (modern translations of) the Bible. I encourage glbt Christians to stay connected to their faith. I act as a mother to many gay young people. I also try to motivate straight Christians to speak up and do the Jesus-thing: to fight for the equality and against the oppression of glbt Christians.

Four years ago, at San Francisco Gay Pride, I began the initiative “Str8Apology,” where I and those increasingly joining me go to gay pride events wearing a tee shirt imprinted, front and back, with the words, Hurt By Church? Get a str8apology Here. People at such events read my shirt, and talk to me. They tell me their often heartbreaking stories. I am often the first and only person who has ever told them that the Bible has been misused against them. On behalf of Christians everywhere, I apologize to them, and tell them that it is not the heart of Jesus to reject them because of their orientation. I direct them to my site, where they can learn about how the Bible does not, in fact, condemn them. I hold their faces, and look into their eyes. I assure them that God adored them.

At the many gay pride events I attend, I get hugged a lot.

If you would like to help repair the tear, please consider joining me in wearing a Str8apology t-shirt at an upcoming event where glbt people gather. Christians regularly tell me that they know the treatment of the glbt community is not Christ-like, yet they themselves remain silent on the issue.

God used an agnostic lesbian (who is now a Christian) to help change me into someone who is willing to fight for what’s right. Perhaps I can help change you in the same way.

Perhaps you and I together can help change the world.

I will be at San Jose Pride on August 20 and 21.

Here I am:

[Update: At the 2011 PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) national convention (November 3-6), Kathy will be conducting a workshop on faith and GLBT youth.]

Uncategorized

Previous Post

August 4, 2011

Nobody Trips

Next Post

August 9, 2011 "What is baptism?"

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Christian Issues Christian Spirituality Dear John En Espanol Everywhere She's Not Humor Look See Pastor Bob's Corner Personal Portuguese Relationships Russian Short-short story Smith Family Chronicles Uncategorized

Select a Month March 2024 August 2022 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 February 2020 December 2019 June 2019 December 2018 May 2018 May 2017 January 2017 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How long was Jonah in the belly of the great fish?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Three days and nights Seven nights Ten days One day

Books by This Author Books by John Shore

See All Titles »