Homophobic all my life - and I apologize

Been watching the aids documentaries on PBS WORLD. I never accepted homosexuality and as an Evangelical Christian actually condemned it openly.

Now at 61 years old I want to offer my heartfelt apology to all Gay people. I've been a "hippy" most of my life - still have super long hair and play my guitars everyday - for hours on end... I've never "bashed" anyone as I still practice Peace and Love (never believed in hurting anyone intentionally). after watching hours of the PBS World documentaries on aids I finally began to cry uncontrollably - realizing that gay people are "people" - and they're created by my God. I cannot believe how ignorant & closed-minded I'd been for years...

Please forgive me... as a musician (Rock & Blues) and a poet, I should appreciate the creativity that the Gay Community brings to the table. I was so stupid.

I love you all.

Sincerely
-Patrick "Strangedogs" Valella

 

Better late than never

nice first post

welcome

 

I think you should have realised 'people are people' a long time ago. I do wonder how your evangelical beliefs square with homosexuality being 'wrong'.

 

your god has blessed you my brother "the truth shall set you free" wow can you feel that?
look at how much larger your world has become and how many more brothers and sisters you have congratulations and WELCOME

 

Nice intro Welcome to the forums:cheers2:enjoy :2thumbsup:

 

Glad you came around, makes me think there's hope for a lot of the older folk who seem to be "stuck in the past"

 

What's nice about it? *failure to understand*

 

Welcome! Your heartfelt post is proof that positive change is always possible.

I have always been gay. I've been bashed more than once, and excluded from several churches. AIDS has taken the lives of several friends (and a lover). But I've hoped to live long enough to see the day when GLBT people could live their lives without fear, and feel safe about openly being the people they are. And things really are much better now. Your post helps to confirm this. So I thank you for your courage and honesty.

I also am a poet. And I consider myself a spiritual person. So we have something in common. And that's what ultimately unites people, instead of dividing them. Again, welcome to the forums. Your post made my day. :sunny:

QP

 

i guess it is kind of an awkward position. a large part of the teachings of christianity is to love everyone and not judge and whatnot, but on the other hand, in practice it is very common among christians to condemn those who don't strictly follow what the church preaches. particularly, at least in recent history, the whole anti-homosexual agenda the church has gotten behind for whatever reason.

hell, i remember one of the last times i ever went to catholic church with my mom was back during the 2004 presidential election, when during the sermon they straight up told us that we would go to hell if we voted for john kerry, because he wasn't actively trying to ban gay marriage.

i think the "nice" part is where he's realized the error of his ways and is apologizing for his past mistakes. i'm not sure what your problem is with the post. are you against personal growth? make one bad decision and it's all over for you forever? i remember one time back in like 2nd grade i read the word "materials" and pronounce it as "matter (rhymes with batter) eye-uls (rhymes with vials)." i don't think that means i'm some idiot who can't read now though.

 

Congratulations on this step of your spiritual evolvement.

 

I imagine, strangedogs, has been a christian for a very long time.
Realising gay people are people recently seems a bit strange.

Have you no thoughts of your own?
You need telling people are people from a politician or the fact gay people die of aids?
I'm against old people who should know better just realising people are people.

You mean for the last 30 odd years?

 

honestly, i couldn't tell you. i'm 29, and they've been that way for as long as i can remember. i never bothered to research the church's historic stance on homosexuality.

i do know that, at least for the last 29 years, the church's stance on forgiveness is that if someone used to have a stupid prejudice that they have renounced, you're not supposed to tell them to go fuck themselves for having been stupid in the past.

 

It's about a personal realisation more than what the church has to say. The OP has just watched documentaries about Aids and had an epiphany. I would have thought that would have occurred before. I would have thought that would have occurred simply by recognising people are people. How old were you when you knew people were people?

 

Welcome Aboard Pat!

I enjoy what you just shared with us, enjoy your journey with good energies
Like that song ( I can see clearly)
I'm still on learning road .....

 

I'm Not Sure How To Respond To This Post, Or For That Matter Wether I Should .??

I Find It Very Hard To Believe That Someone Who Has Spent So Many

Years Of His Life In Music And Poetry *arts* Could Attain The Age Of 61

Before They Came To This Realisation.

I'm Not Going To Call Troll, But At This Point In Time I Am Certainly

Scratching My Head In Total Bewilderment....

Even More So That You Would Choose To Make This Thread Your

Introduction, When You Could Have Just Told Us A Bit About Yourself Here,

And Posted The Rest In The "True Confessions" Forum....



Cheers Glen.


PS:- And Just For The Record, I'm 65 Years Young And Gay....

 

Course he's not a troll, Glen.

Trolls aren't up to composing an eloquent post like that ... cos if they were, they'd know there are better things to do online than troll!

People are people, whoever whatever and wherever; and evangelical Christians should generally start with St Paul's "all things are permissible" and return to it regularly. The problems come when people start puffing up one part of scripture as more important or "valid" than another. Again, St Paul: "All scripture is God-breathed".

So to the original OP I simply say "welcome, brother. I have always accepted you; and I am overjoyed to learn that God has spoken to you through this documentary, and that you are now that bit more accepting of all your brothers and sisters".

 

wow.this is amazing. there are so many people I wish could have this epiphany but I'm glad it's you, and I'm glad you have opened your eyes to the way things really are: gay, straight, 'normal', weird, tall short, purple or orange... good for you man. To quote one of my favourite drag queens: "Can you imagine what the world would look like without gay people? Ew!"

 

Hi.

 

Dude, what is the point in being against anyone?

Just let them be. :2thumbsup:

 

I had a similar realization a couple years ago. It feels amazing to get the hate out of your heart.

Welcome to the forums