I, Ben Gresham am proud of my community.
A community of gay and lesbian men and women who can achieve anything.
Invited by Anthony Venn-Brown, whose name appeared on the list in 2007, I was given the opportunity to see my community as they really were. The stereotypes were breaking all around me as I spoke to intelligent, powerful, talented gays and lesbians. Sure there was that bit of gay humour and some funny, perhaps inappropriate jokes, but here was a room full of people, that despite all the challenges, and hardships, have risen to the top and are influencing the way the world thinks and acts.
Only six months before, in June 2008, I had come out to family, friends and church and yet I found myself lucky enough to be talking to some of the greatest people you will ever meet. As the night progressed, the dreams, passions and desires in my heart began to soar and I can see that what may seem impossible is actually possible. I believe that gay people have a place in the church and that homosexuality is NOT a sin or sickness. It is not a choice but it is an orientation which cannot be changed.
Earlier this year, I had attempted suicide twice after several years of ex-gay programs and being taught to hate who I was. I almost succeeded in killing myself and I know others who have died because of the intensity of these programs and the reality that they cannot become straight. Saving lives and preventing suicide matter.
Each of us has a part to play in our community. Whether it is a big role like being the Justice of the High Court of the Nation or a small one like selling red ribbons on World Aids Day. Everything counts. We are in this together. The stand for equality and gay rights must be taken by all of us. We can stand proud and live openly and honestly as gay men and women.
Don’t be scared to change the world!!
By Benjamin Gresham
3 comments:
All things are possible Ben, this is only the beginning!!
The lesbian
Good post Ben. By confidently living who you are ...you are also inspiring others to do the same. Too many gay and lesbian people in churches live under a cloud of personal shame and judgement. As you and I have found, it is a much brighter world living as openly gay people and rejecting the judgements of others and maintaining our relationship with God.
"When we choose to live authentically, we chip away at others' prisons of pretend and give them the courage to walk into freedom"
Since you've come out you have also discovered something that many Christian people are yet to discover. That is, gay and lesbian people come from all walks of life, have different standards of morality and many of them, despite much opposition, live lives that make a difference in this world. For this we are blessed and grateful.
Keep trucking on my friend.....you are also an influential person.
And welcome to your tribe.
(Revelation 7:9-10, NIV). “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb’”
Revelation 14:6-8 "Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth - to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people
Nice blog you're got here, Mr Ben! Self-reflecting on the Internet is fun! I can't believe it wasn't on my feed reader.
* adds *
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