My sexual orientation is a gift. I haven’t always seen it that way, due to the wrong and detrimental beliefs and teachings found within the Church and society.
The reason that I now consider that being gay has been a gift from God is because it’s not all about me. Being gay has helped me empathize, relate with, and walk with the minority, the marginalized and the oppressed. I believe this is our highest calling and it’s what Kingdom People ought to be all about.
It has also allowed me to open my mind and question things that I don’t think I would have ever questioned, being a privileged white middleclass male in America, especially in a conservative Evangelical environment.
It has been a challenge. It hasn’t always been easy being me. I have often felt pressure to wear a mask and to deny a big part of my identity. I can no longer do that for my own health- spiritual and emotional (and probably physical too) and I can’t lie to others. I don’t want to lie and I don’t want others to feel the need to lie.
Today, I am happy to be part of an authentic community- gay, straight, bi, trans. It doesn’t matter who you are. You are loved by God and you should be loved by others, especially those who claim to be in relationship with God.
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photo by Robert Lofgren. See more of his work on Instagram @RCLOFGREN777
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ROBERT LOFGREN is a gay Christian who wrestled with his faith and his sexuality and found peace. He strives to love Christ and to show His love for all people. Robert is an advocate for LGBT rights and building bridges between the two communities to which he belongs and is so passionate about — the LGBT community and the Church.
He lives in Orange County, CA with his boyfriend of seven years and two Boston Terriers. Robert blogs at The Gay Post-Evangelical.
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