These are lovely to read, and I like the approach - the limitation of 100 words, combined with a daily practice.
Also your musings on things existential made me think to ask you about something. I have a friend who has recently, in this past year, come out. Her family is very Catholic and her mother is struggling with accepting the situation. She has even suggested a workshop or therapy that could cure said friend. I know that you have struggled with this combination of Christian faith and homosexuality (in the past) and I was wondering if you could direct me to resources for her.
I prefer to look elsewhere than religion for personal meaning, but realize that attitude is impractical (and often incomprehensivle) for many people. I assume your friend's religion is still important to her, in which case I would direct her to this affirming gay Christian website as one possible starting point. Metropolitan Community Church is a liberal mainline church with specific outreach to the GLBT community.
Reparative therapy does not cure anything. It is repressive and harmful. I saw a high incidence of depression among the people I encountered in the counseling programs. I wish suicide statistics were available, because I suspect they would be high. I never met anyone who claimed to be cured of same-sex attraction.
Thanks! I believe she actually is looking more for resources to assuage her mother than anything. And, don't worry, she isn't looking to be cured or have the illusion that it is possible. But her mother does and it would help if she didn't. Thanks again.
Ah, I understand. That isn't an easy question to answer. When I finally accepted my sexuality, I didn't have any useful resources at hand. I did have people—my family doctor, a social worker, and a gay priest—who encouraged me that accepting my sexuality, rather than trying to change it, would be beneficial to my mental health. At the time I came to the conclusion God did not bring me into the world to suffer severe depression for trying to make myself heterosexual when I was not. So it was more of a personal epiphany than information that helped me sort out my conflict between religion and sexuality. Becoming a sexually active gay man was in fact an act of faith. In the end it did not draw me closer to God, but it has allowed me to become healthier and happier.
I did a little more research online and came across this website: Someone To Talk To. I don't know whether it is the sort of thing your friend's mother would read, but it might give your friend some ideas about how to answer questions. If your friend's mother shows interest in contacting other parents who share her experience, I recommend PFLAG.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2010-04-02 11:51 am (UTC)Also your musings on things existential made me think to ask you about something. I have a friend who has recently, in this past year, come out. Her family is very Catholic and her mother is struggling with accepting the situation. She has even suggested a workshop or therapy that could cure said friend. I know that you have struggled with this combination of Christian faith and homosexuality (in the past) and I was wondering if you could direct me to resources for her.
no subject
Date: 2010-04-05 06:02 pm (UTC)Reparative therapy does not cure anything. It is repressive and harmful. I saw a high incidence of depression among the people I encountered in the counseling programs. I wish suicide statistics were available, because I suspect they would be high. I never met anyone who claimed to be cured of same-sex attraction.
no subject
Date: 2010-04-06 03:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-04-06 07:56 pm (UTC)I did a little more research online and came across this website: Someone To Talk To. I don't know whether it is the sort of thing your friend's mother would read, but it might give your friend some ideas about how to answer questions. If your friend's mother shows interest in contacting other parents who share her experience, I recommend PFLAG.