Really hate that the most extreme sides of Christianity and queer communities (secular or religious) on this site keep going for each other's throats while those who find themselves in between feel no choice but to just sit there and watch as their experiences get used as battering rams for each group's rhetoric, or end up screamed at or treated like pariahs for not falling perfectly in line with either group's values.
And you know what? It’s not even just your stereotypical redneck bigot Christian or stereotypical “leftist-woke” who are just assholes in disguise that I’m thinking about with this.
I’m also talking about those who believe they can speak for us. Who think they can judge a diverse group of people who love God and acknowledge ourselves and our differences in our sexuality. I think of those who have it in their heads that they can argue and decide who is a “true Christian” or a “true queer” based on some set of parameters or criteria they like to project as “perfect” or “immutable.”
We’re right here everyone. We aren’t a monolithic group. We are Christian and we are queer, however we choose to live those two aspects of our lives out. And we are confident in the same God and the same Jesus many of you claim looks down on us for even identifying as queer. And we are confident of our humanity and our queerness, regardless if people think otherwise or believe us to be self-haters because we’re Christian.
I’m tired of seeing influencers on this site continue to disregard or lash out or speak against, or put on an air of expertise about these sorts of topics.. and inadvertently only fuel the bigotry in the people in their circles against us and against those in the other camp.
“Are you Side B or Y? Look guys, this is how queer people should live. Celibacy!”
“Are you Side X? It’s possible to pray the gay away!”
“Are you a detransitioner? Hey there, affirming your gender is wrong and unhealthy. Look at the suffering of these detransitioners that obviously represent the consequences for all trans people (incl kids).”
“Are you asexual? Something is clearly wrong with you.
“Are you Side A or trans? See? You can love Christ and embrace this truth about yourself! All queer Christians should be like them.”
“These queer people keep embracing their sin as their identity and abuse me! Therefore all queer people and allies are woke and leftists and abusers and just cannot be Christian.”
“Those Christians are so homophobic/transphobic! Therefore Christianity is a homophobic/transphobic religion and followers should be harassed.”
And so on and so forth…I’m clearly oversimplifying but as you may have already seen, there are plenty of folks who may not think they’re falling into this pattern. But from our perspective, the people their rhetoric affects, they are. Their arguments and debates and preaching only fuels the more malevolent to continue their abuse of others.
No one seems to think that we are as much individuals with our own journeys and our own lives and as we are fully Christian and dedicated to living out His Kingdom.
And I say this as someone who isn’t perfect and is still working on these myself. We desperately need to be reminded of what the fruits of the Spirit are (Galatians 5:22-23) and need wisdom in how we’re to exercise them in the online sphere.
