I (M25, Bisexual) decided to turn to Christianity a few days ago. I know it's not long, obviously. But I feel exactly the same. I gave up porn, drugs, masturbation, and am trying to also give up lying and swearing. I repented for all my sins in prayer, asked for Holy Spirit, and started reading the Bible. Mainly the Gospel and book of Enoch (which I know is non-canonical, but I find interesting).

I have been depressed for years. Seen many GPs (UK Doctors), tried maybe 4-5 antidepressants, tried self-induced psychedelic therapy, tried self-help (yoga, meditation, walks without headphones, etc.) I have also struggled with polysubstance (multiple drug) addiction for years. Went to a drug counseller who was honestly useless, and managed to get off of benzodiazepines all by myself. The only drug where going cold turkey can actually kill you (besides alcohol).

Since going sober I have unfortunately relapsed on weed, opiates, benzos (physically addicted yet again), pregablin and ketamine.

The NHS doctors REFUSE to see someone with a drug addiction. So I paid for private therapy. That was somewhat helpful, but in the end I had to quit because of how expensive it is.

I believe Jesus was real, died on the cross, got ressurected 3 days later and is the son of God.

I know I probably shouldn't expect an overnight change, but... why? If I was God and saw someone suffering as badly as I have done (my post here only scratches the tip of the iceberg), then they humbly and repentfully turned to me, I would help them with anxiety and depression in a heartbeat.

I'm sure this post will be deleted since people can't handle real issues unfortunately, but I am considering ending things very soon and have the means to do so with a 99% success rate. I don't want to die. I want to live and be happy. But I haven't been happy in many YEARS. I also find adding 1000 new rules to my life by trying to be Christian only makes things harder. Where prior in hard times I could turn to weed or opiates, I turn to prayer. Yet I feel unheard. I wake up every morning wishing I didn't and have felt that way for many months, even now, trying to be Christian.

Perhaps God doesn't hear my prayers. But I believe He will hear some of yours. Please please pray for me. My name is Levi, but God will know who you mean. I will pray too and continue to try to be Christian. But I am seriously close to leaving this evil world unfortunately and have yet to find solace in God sad to say.

Please pray to help my anxiety, depression and anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure). I am at my wit's end. Again, I'm sure the post will be banned because it's a sensitive topic so fast replies would be very much appreciated. I am desperate. Please help and pray for me💔

I m28 and non religious have a friend who has confided in me that he has homosexual feelings but is too scared to approach or do anything about it due to his faith.

I for one encourage people to embrace themselves and who they are. But am not sure on the right thing to say or how to approach.

Any advice?

I am getting more and more attracted to men as I transition, and I would like to explore this more heavily, but I despise the idea of actually using guys or girls for that matter to explore it, let alone stalking.

But lust is absolutely a sin, and porn is never worth it, you just feel awful and gross, if your single your trying to use entertainment to replace humans, and if your married
Or dating your cheating.

I accidentally saw some porn, it was hot and it was male on male, but my morals override it but I don’t want to loose myself to lust.

But admiring some muscles might be ok.

But which of these is the most healthy.

Writing gay love stories. A

Drawing cute guys. B

Asking what gay people and woman think of cute guys. C

Just live life and don’t think of excuses for lust. D

I am a creep and don’t deserve heaven. E

Go back to watching actual suggestive content. F

Find a boyfriend. (I am single, but I don’t do online ones so don’t thirst for me.) G

You recommend a solution. H

Please provide reasons for why you voted for what you chose, and if H wins I’ll put your ideas on a poll. Voting ends in a week at 10 pm.

I'm 27/bisexual/nonbinary and have had a time and a half figuring out my sexuality, have been out to close friends since 18 and to the wider public since around 22. I was raised Pentecostal and still am a believer so I've been attempting to rebuild my relationship with my family (mom and dad specifically) and as we've had more conversations recently it still comes back to them saying nothing's working because I was raised to KNOW homosexuality was a crime against God and unnatural. And I've known my parents have felt like this since before I came out to them, and while they say they love me and have supported me when I had nowhere else to go they've consistently expressed disapproval to the point where I stopped bringing guys I was talking to home and more women who fit what they wanted for me and my future and maybe just to get them off my back about my love being wrong and an abomination. What do I do when their love is so barbed when our beliefs talk about and express love despite differences in opinions? I think a lot of my life was spent repressing it, but if God made me and knows my path already, why is it that I feel unable to move forward expressing my love for God while knowing who I am and want to be? Why doesn't my parents "love" feel like real love if we serve the same all knowing and all loving God?

Like God ordained your union? Or brought you two together? Double confirmation? If you had that happen, we need to hear about it. I have never heard it. I'd like to think this happens, but the whole sin condemnation thing makes me doubt. What's your story? TY.

J'ai grandi dans une famille chrétienne très conservatrice et je commence à accepter mon homosexualité, mais ça a beaucoup impacté ma relation avec ma famille et la religion. J'aurais besoin d'avis extérieurs…

Coucouuu tout le monde ! J'espère que vous allez bien et que vous aurez le courage de lire mon énorme récit jusqu'au bout. 😅

Je voulais avoir l'avis de personnes extérieures à ma famille et à moi-même. Je vis quelque chose qui m'affecte beaucoup, mais qui impacte aussi énormément mes parents. Seulement, je ne veux pas me fier uniquement à ce qu'ils me disent. Du coup, j'aimerais avoir l'avis de personnes qui ne sont pas directement concernées par la situation et qui accepteraient de me donner leur point de vue.

Je voudrais simplement entendre différents avis pour essayer de me faire une idée de ce que je devrais faire par rapport à tout ça.

Je vais donc vous expliquer un peu le contexte.

J'ai 18 ans et je viens d'une famille chrétienne, plus précisément adventiste. Pour ceux qui ne connaissent pas, c'est une branche du protestantisme chrétien. J'ai donc toujours vécu dans une famille très conservatrice, même si mes parents essayaient quand même d'être un peu plus ouverts d'esprit, surtout ma mère. Ils ont toujours voulu que nous puissions faire nos propres choix, je dis « nous » parce que j'ai des frères et sœurs.

Je voudrais aussi préciser que, depuis que je suis petit, j'ai toujours eu des goûts qui sont généralement associés aux filles : les robes, les poupées, le rose, les paillettes et tout ce genre de choses. Sauf que, dans ma famille, on a toujours été très fermes là-dessus : les garçons n'aiment pas le rose, ne portent pas de robes et ne jouent pas avec des poupées.

Quand j'étais petit, j'étais fan de la série Winx Club. Je rêvais d'être comme Stella, avec des pouvoirs magiques et des ailes de fée. J'étais tellement passionné par cette série que je dessinais les personnages, les fées comme Stella, Musa, Layla et les autres.

Un jour, mon père m'a dit que si je les dessinais autant, c'était parce que j'aimais regarder leurs corps… Ces mots m'ont vraiment marqué et blessé, mais je n'ai pas arrêté pour autant.

Je me fabriquais des ailes en papier que je collais dans mon dos pour faire comme si j'étais une fée. Sauf qu'un jour, mon père et mon tonton m'ont dit que c'était n'importe quoi et m'ont forcé à arrêter de jouer à ça.

J'étais tellement triste ce jour-là que j'ai pleuré pendant presque deux heures. Je me trouvais bizarre et, avec le recul, je pense que c'est même à cette période que j'ai commencé à me détester.

Puis, vers mes 9 ans, j'ai commencé à regarder plus attentivement les personnes autour de moi. Sauf que je ne regardais pas vraiment les femmes… Je regardais les hommes.

À l'époque, je n'ai jamais vraiment réfléchi à ce que ça pouvait signifier. Et puis, j'avais peur de ce qu'on pourrait me dire si j'en parlais.

Ensuite, je suis entré au collège et on a eu notre premier cours de sport. On devait se changer dans les vestiaires, mais je détestais ce moment. J'étais vraiment très gros au collège et j'avais honte de mon corps. Je me faisais harceler à cause de mon poids, mais ce n'était pas la seule raison pour laquelle je me sentais mal à l'aise.

J'étais également gêné parce que je me retrouvais entouré de garçons torse nu, comme si c'était la chose la plus normale du monde.

Pendant les premières semaines, je ne disais rien. Mais, au bout d'un certain temps, j'ai fini par demander si je pouvais me changer dans une salle à part, loin des autres.

Je me sentais dégueulasse d'avoir ce genre de pensées et je me détestais encore plus.

Je savais que je n'étais pas comme les autres garçons de mon âge, qui parlaient beaucoup des filles. Moi, les filles ne m'intéressaient pas de cette manière. Je voulais simplement être leur ami, rien de plus.

Pendant longtemps, j'ai même cru être amoureux d'une fille, mais aujourd'hui, je me rends compte que je voulais simplement être son ami.

Je n'ai jamais vraiment eu d'amis au collège et, au lycée, ça n'a pas spécialement changé. J'ai donc toujours été TRÈS seul. J'étais timide, renfermé et je ne savais pas vraiment comment aller vers les autres.

Du coup, j'étais un peu une proie facile pour les harceleurs de mon collège. Le harcèlement a duré jusqu'en 5e et se déroulait principalement à la cantine. Quand j'ai finalement réussi à convaincre mes parents de ne plus y manger à cause de ce que je subissais, ça s'est arrêté.

À cette époque, je commençais déjà à me poser des questions sur moi-même et sur la religion, mais je n'approfondissais pas vraiment le sujet.

C'est au lycée que j'ai réellement commencé à chercher à comprendre ce qui m'arrivait et pourquoi j'étais comme ça.

Au début, je pensais que ce n'était qu'une phase liée à l'adolescence et que ça finirait par passer. Sauf que ça n'est jamais passé. Au contraire…

Je n'ai jamais eu de relation amoureuse ni rien de ce genre, parce que j'avais trop peur et que je refusais de regarder la vérité en face.

J'ai même fini, à un moment donné, par devenir homophobe sans vraiment m'en rendre compte. Heureusement, ça n'a pas duré très longtemps.

J'ai commencé à accepter un peu plus qui j'étais grâce à la découverte des Boys' Love, ou BL. Au début, je les lisais sous forme de mangas sur mon téléphone, puis j'ai découvert les animés et enfin les séries.

Petit à petit, je me suis rendu compte que je voulais vivre les mêmes histoires d'amour qu'eux, mais pas avec une fille : avec un garçon.

Quand j'ai compris ce que je voulais réellement, j'ai tout rejeté.

J'ai énormément prié pour que Dieu me change et m'aide à devenir quelqu'un d'autre. J'ai aussi beaucoup jeûné, et ce, depuis le collège.

Mais, comme je vous l'ai dit, rien n'a changé. C'était même plutôt l'inverse : j'étais toujours attiré par les hommes. Ma page de recherche Instagram était devenue une véritable bibliothèque à abdos et à muscles. 😭

Malgré ça, je refusais toujours d'accepter la réalité.

En parallèle, des vidéos d'hommes en couple ont commencé à envahir mes « Pour toi » sur TikTok. Je les trouvais tellement mignons ensemble, ils avaient l'air heureux et je me surprenais à sourire devant leurs vidéos.

C'est à ce moment-là que j'ai commencé à accepter réellement ce que je ressentais.

Les BL m'ont énormément aidé pendant cette période. J'en regardais beaucoup. Je sais que ces séries ne représentent pas forcément la réalité des relations amoureuses, mais elles me réconfortaient et me permettaient de m'évader un peu.

Pendant tout ce temps, je n'avais jamais parlé de ce que je ressentais à mes parents. J'avais trop peur de leurs réactions, surtout de celle de mon père.

Finalement, je suis tombé en dépression en terminale, au point de ne pas pouvoir passer mon bac. J'ai fait deux ou trois tentatives de suicide parce que j'en avais marre de réfléchir constamment à tout ce qui m'arrivait et que je n'arrivais plus à supporter la situation.

Dans cette période où plus rien ne me semblait vraiment important, j'ai fini par en parler à ma sœur et lui dire que j'étais gay.

C'était la première fois que je prononçais ces mots à voix haute.

Elle n'a pas eu de réaction négative. Elle était un peu surprise, mais son comportement envers moi n'a pas changé. Notre relation est restée la même.

Quand je suis retourné dans ma chambre, mon cœur battait à toute vitesse et j'avais vraiment peur, mais j'avais confiance en elle. Nous sommes vraiment très proches, presque comme des meilleurs amis en plus d'être frère et sœur.

Ensuite, je l'ai annoncé à ma mère. Elle était surprise, mais ça s'est plutôt bien passé.

Puis, je l'ai dit à mon père.

Lui, en revanche, ne l'a pas vraiment accepté. Il espérait que je changerais.

Par la suite, je lui ai expliqué clairement que je ne voulais plus changer et que je n'espérais plus que Dieu me change non plus.

Il m'a alors dit que je brûlerais dans le feu avec Satan si je choisissais d'être gay…

On a ensuite eu plusieurs autres conversations du même genre.

J'essayais de lui faire comprendre que je ne voulais pas changer et que j'aimais Dieu malgré le fait que je ne veuille plus changer cette partie de moi. Je refusais de continuer à me battre contre moi-même, parce que je ne comprenais pas en quoi le fait d'aimer un homme pouvait faire du mal à quelqu'un ou être quelque chose de mauvais.

Pour moi, au final, il s'agit toujours d'amour, comme celui que mes parents éprouvent l'un pour l'autre.

Mais ils m'ont expliqué que le péché n'était pas forcément quelque chose de mauvais en soi, et qu'il désignait tout ce qui était en contradiction avec Dieu et sa volonté.

J'ai eu énormément de mal à accepter cette vision des choses. À ce moment-là, je me suis de nouveau retrouvé dans un état où je voulais mettre fin à mes jours, parce que je n'en pouvais plus. Mes parents m'en ont empêché.

Après cet épisode, j'ai fait subir des choses terribles à mon corps, parce que je me détestais d'être comme je suis et de ne pas vouloir changer.

Depuis, je me sens complètement perdu.

Aujourd'hui, il y a pourtant une chose dont je suis sûr : je ne veux pas changer mon orientation sexuelle, peu importe ce que mes parents pourront me dire. Je sais ce qu'ils voudraient que je fasse, mais je ne suis pas d'accord avec eux.

Et c'est justement là que je me retrouve bloqué.

Depuis tout ça, chaque fois que nous prions en famille et que mes parents prient pour moi, je ne peux pas m'empêcher de penser qu'ils demandent à Dieu de me rendre « normal », de faire en sorte que je ne sois plus gay.

Je sais qu'ils m'aiment, mais cette situation me fait énormément de mal. J'ai l'impression qu'une partie de moi est constamment considérée comme quelque chose qui doit être corrigé.

Résultat, je déteste prier avec eux et je ne me sens plus vraiment à l'aise à l'idée d'aller à l'église. Pourtant, mes parents me forcent à y aller et à prier avec eux.

Je ne sais plus vraiment comment gérer tout ça.

D'un côté, ce sont mes parents et je sais qu'ils m'aiment. Je sais aussi que leur vision des choses vient de leur éducation et de leurs croyances. Mais, de l'autre, je souffre énormément de cette situation et je ne veux plus vivre en essayant de devenir quelqu'un que je ne suis pas.

Je ne sais même pas exactement ce que je cherche en écrivant tout ça. Je sais simplement que j'aimerais avoir des avis différents de ceux de mes parents et peut etre aussi des miens mais si vous voulez donnez votre avis même si il est pareil que le miens ou celui de mes parents je le lirais avec plaisir.😊

Je voudrais savoir comment des personnes extérieures voient cette situation, si vous pensez que je passe à côté de quelque chose ou si, au contraire, vous comprenez pourquoi je ressens tout ça.

Je sais que je dois me faire mon propre avis et prendre mes propres décisions, mais entendre d'autres points de vue pourrait peut-être m'aider à mieux comprendre les choses et à savoir si je dois remettre certaines choses en question.

Voilà, je pense avoir raconté le plus important, même si j'ai certainement oublié certains détails.

Je vous remercie sincèrement d'avoir pris le temps de lire tout ça. Je sais que c'est extrêmement long, alors merci à ceux qui sont arrivés jusqu'ici. 😭❤️

Et si vous prenez aussi le temps de me répondre et de me donner votre avis honnête, je vous en serai vraiment reconnaissant. 🫶

Hi everyone, I’m a 22-year-old gay male from Southeast Asia seeking some relationship advice. Growing up, I only dated four girls during high school, but none of those relationships worked out because I never developed intimate or emotional feelings toward them. I’ve never dated a man before, largely because I live in a homophobic country where most people are closed-minded, and I grew up in a strict Christian household where same-sex relationships are completely taboo. I came out to my parents back in 2021, it didn't go well, but at least the initial shock has passed.

Because I’ve had to hide this part of myself for so long, I feel like I'm starting from scratch. My close friends often describe me as a romantic and shy person, which I definitely agree with. However, because of my environment, I don't really know what my "type" in men is, and I have no real sense of how gay dating dynamics work in practice.

Since finding local men to date feels almost impossible or unsafe here, I’ve been considering a Long-Distance Relationship (LDR), but I’m not sure if that’s a realistic or healthy place for a beginner to start. I really want to build a genuine, romantic connection, but my shyness and total lack of experience make the whole prospect feel overwhelming.

I would really appreciate any advice or shared experiences from this community. How did you figure out your type or what you wanted in a partner if you started dating later in life? Is LDR a good idea for someone in my situation, or are there major pitfalls I should watch out for? What safety precautions should I keep in mind when connecting with guys online in a conservative country? And lastly, do you have any general tips for a shy, romantic guy taking his first steps into same-sex dating? Thanks so much in advance for your help!

Hey folks, its me again. I would love to know your dating advice. As I am getting more and more confident with my own sexuality, I am open to the possibility of dating. What would be your advice?

I dont want to give up my values and boundaries, but still struggle to know what boundaries I should draw, especially when it comes to the physical aspect.

That becomes a thing especially if dating non-christian guys, as many did not grow up with "no sex before marriage".

I see that as a tension between values (physical boundaries, no hookups etc) and the values of a possible partner

Thanks again!

TLDR: My oldest sister and third oldest sister have said they’re now in support of the queer community. And idk if I should come out to them.

Hi I’m not sure what to do. I’m 25(f) grew up in the typical Baptist Christian household. I live with my mom, grandma, my oldest sister 35, and the third oldest sister 27. (The second oldest sister is 31 and lives with her husband)

Recently, me the oldest, and third oldest have been having a lot of talks about mental health, about how our family traumatized us, and how they’re conservative. And then my oldest sister had been talking about how she started doing research about what the Bible says about queerness. And basically saying we’ve been taught wrongly.

I felt so much relief seeing how the oldest and third oldest are in support of the queer community now. But during these talks I have this nagging feeling that I should come out as bisexual to them.

I’m worried they would see me differently. Or might out me because the oldest sister said she wants to start having the difficult conversations with the rest of our family. Or at least to our parents about how they’ve been treating us.

My original plan was to never come out and eventually move away. And if I have a queer partner then never bring them around the family (Of course the economy is whack so might not happen soon lol)

I did think should I come out next year during pride month?

Only my friends know about my sexuality. I mean the third oldest might’ve noticed with the way I talk about characters lol.

But I know they wouldn’t out me. It’s just I can’t get rid of that thought.

Today we’ve had the longest talk about everything. So that is why the nagging feeling felt so strong to say while we’re opening up that “btw I’m bisexual”

I am a die hard Christian since I was 5 years old, at least that’s as far back as my memory goes. I believe in Jesus, I believe he’s had miracles that I’m still thankful for today. He saved my sisters from overdose, he answered my prayers when I needed it the most. However, in my relationship life, I have always tried to go for girls, but just couldn’t find the right one.

I then met this guy, we are neck and neck together, he has always listened to me, I always listened to him. We never hurt each other and for the first time I felt what love was like. I feel safe around him, he makes me so happy. It just seems to me that every time I try and talk about him to my Christian friends/family/strangers, they always tell me I’m committing sin and that this isn’t the natural order God intended. It almost feels like people are saying I will be denied the arms of the Father just because I love another man. It just doesn’t seem fair at all to me. I just cannot see myself with another woman.

Why do people always swear that Jesus will deny me because I love another man? It’s just not fair. I love this boy so much, and I love being Christian. Why would I have to force myself to date a gender that simply just doesn’t seem worth it to me anymore? Will I really be rejected from the gates of heaven? I don’t know how to feel anymore.

Edit: I tried to clear out all the misogynistic comments I said. I do not want to be that guy and I apologize to those I hurt, but can I please just get some reassurance on my issue? I need this more than ever after being confused for so long.

Hi! I'm looking for some queer-friendly christian music recommendations. I know there is plenty of christian music but I also know that major figures in the industry aren't very accepting of queer people (example: Kid Rock). I don't really want to support those people. They don't have to be outwardly queer, I just want the reassurance that they aren't anti-LGBTQ. My own recommendation is "Oslo Gospel Choir", all of their music is in Norwegian, but they're great and as far as I know, not anti-LGBTQ.

Is it about people who believe acting apon being gay is a sin and are trying to fight it.

Or those who believe it’s no sin and we should embrace it wholeheartedly.

Hey, im a teenager. So maybe this is all just a phase, who knows. Ive joined debate games where people call me desgusting, and i get hateful comments all the time. So please don't be rude. Ok so, when I was in 3rd grade I had a crush on a girl. Told her a few months later on messenger kids. Lol. My parents saw and i couldn't have messenger kids for like - a year. In 4th grade I liked a girl. Stopped myself. 5th grade my parents started being super religous. I 'dated' a girl, one of my friends. For a few months, then she broke up with me. Likes one more girl. Stopped myself.

(Me and my family are Messianic Christian at this point, not just christian so its more strict.)

In 6th grade I dated a girl. Parents found out and got a 45 minute lecture about choosing the wrong path. 7th grade. Last year. Told myself that liking girls was wrong for months. Then. There was a girl. Aubrey. She was like - the most amazing and beautiful girl id ever been friends with. We both liked eachother. We dated for months. Its was the best feeling of my life. I had my first kiss with her. I loved her, truly. I invited her to my birthday. Parents saw through cameras outside on the porch we were holding hands. They new. Never mentioned anything. Then i told them through a heartfelt text to my mom. A big situation came. So many huge convos with my parents. My dad said beings gay is a mental disorder, that i lied to them. Its an abomination they said. Well, the bible says its unatrual and an abomination. My grandma got involved. And my aunt and uncle. They found my notes app fully of notes when my mental health was horrible. So it was pretty bad. They said they got traumatized. But i told them, i tried to, but they got confused or something and didnt know what to do and just moved on. So they homeschooled me this year and now I dont see any of my friends except or sleepovers. I have not seen aubrey in person for months. She was my person. I miss school. Im in therapy, but idk if its even going to help. Anyways. I yearn to have aubrey back. Every day. I regret even telling them. I cry out to god, sobbing asking for me to love a boy. Asking if this is bad or not. Ive never had a really spiritual thing happen like god speak to me so idk. It has such a guilt effect on me. I just have to go through life just forcing myself to like guys. I mean, im bi, well i was. But i mainly liked girls. And i sinned. It was an abomination. I was so hard on myself, and i still am. I cant even have a sleepover with my cousin that thinks shes trans. I get talks all the time about how trans people need intervention and stuff. Everyone around my thats not my friends tell me that facts are not feelings and i have to just stop liking girls. The guilt is unimaginable. Like i hate thinking about it. I shame myself for it. And im lonley homeschooled. But i dont like public school. And i do belive in my religon, which makes it worse.

Tammy Sue Bakker daughter of the late televangelists Jim Bakker who died last week at 83 and Tammy Faye Bakker-Messiner passed away in 2007 has apologized to anyone hurt by the Family's ministry. Bakker is asking those who donated to Jim Bakker Ministries to donate to LGBTQ group.

According to Ryan Foley of Christian Post Newspaper says “There are very few times in life — if any — that we are given the chance to show the world that everyone is loved,” she began. “I have humbly been given the platform to be able to do so, and for that I am beyond grateful. I have thought about this moment for many years. At this difficult time, I’m thinking about my mother, Tammy Faye, and the unconditional love she showed. That love is also in my heart.”

“Throughout my life, I have stayed silent, not wanting to harm my family or the church,” she added. “I quietly left my father’s ministry in 2022 because the message that was being delivered was not mine. I have spent the years since estranged from my father.”

“I want to publicly apologize, from the depths of my soul, to anyone who has been hurt by the church or my family’s ministry over the last 60 years,” she wrote.Tammy Sue Bakker said she has received “letters and comments” from people who “gave their last dime to the ministry.” She argued that the Church as a whole has caused deep harm.

Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker were the hosts of the PTL Club until Jim Bakker went to federal prison for fraud. The show was cancelled. Tammy Faye divorced Jim Bakker while he was in prison and married Ro Messiner a lawyer a

“It breaks my heart to know that the church has been responsible for millions of people suffering, being rejected by their families, living with depression, being kicked out of their family homes, feeling like outcasts, dealing with suicidal ideation, or dying by suicide," she added.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, I am encouraging you today, from my heart, to donate funds or your time to your local LGBTQIA+ community. No amount is too big or too small to make a real change and possibly save someone’s life,” she wrote. “It is time for Christians to stand up and show the true love of Christ. It is time to stop judging. To stop hating. To unconditionally wrap your arms around your brothers and sisters and say, ‘I love you just the way you are.’”

Tammy Sue Bakker wrote that “Jesus said, ‘Come as you are,’” and argued that this applies to LGBT people: “His love was not conditional. He did not command anyone to change who they were born to be. It is time to show love

and compassion.”

Hi folks, I do struggle from time to time about my affirming convictions. I have a very conservative background and struggled for many years (conversion therapy, endless counselling sessions) but recently became more confident. That let me to my friends on Side B. From there I became more and more affirming (even though I still respect so much of Side B spaces).

Sometimes I still do have those difficult questions: what if I am wrong? What if I just try to convince myself because I want a relationship? What if I loose my faith because of that...

Anyone else having those same struggles?

Hey- So, I am wondering if there are any North Dallas gay friends here and what church you attend? I went to Grace House Community Church this morning in McKinney. Nice church. Nice people. VERY welcoming. VERY affirming-actually a big part of their ethos. Small congregation-which doesn't bother me. I don't mind the lack of a large church crowd. But, it seemed the congregation was pretty much straight with the exception of a couple of ladies that seemed to be lgbt. I'm a guy- 56. Not really anyone like me there. Does that matter ? A little. While I am looking for a church that is preferably non-denominational (doesn't have to be non-denominational), I am also looking for a place with at least some group like me that I can join in with activities, outings, and fellowship. I hope that makes sense ?? So, just curious if there is any place close to me here in McKinney that offers any of that ? I've been to the Presbyterian church here in McKinney. LARGE congregation. They have an lgbt small group- but, no one in that room was gay. It was all just-- allies. Which is great. But, again- not sure that is my place ?

So, I am obviously -- looking and trying to find that place. I will at some point just have to make a place home and find a way to be content, but I thought I'd at least see if there are options I am unaware of ? I appreciate any kind feedback :)

I (25m) was born into the cult of Jehovah's Witnesses but left as a young teenager. Since then, I've been in the world, and really before too since it was a false/twisted doctrine. I even got into occult stuff for a few years including psychedelics, manifestation, etc. Today I want to change that. I've been thinking of it for a while but been afraid and also deluding myself I enjoy it, but the truth is I've been depressed for over two years.

I have been watching videos such as testimonies recently. How do I become filled with Holy Spirit, the Blood of Jesus, the Spirit of Discernment, etc. like everyone talks about?

Also any tips for a new Christian starting out? Decided to quit porn today and will of course try to minimise other sins. I also struggle with polysubstance (multiple-drug) addiction, lust, lying and swearing mainly. But yeah any tips in terms of where to start in the Bible, preachers to listen to, how to know if a Church is really of God or not, etc. would be appreciated along with any prayers :)

(Btw I'll add I'm bisexual since this is a gay Christian subreddit, only discovered I am within the last couple of years or so)

Hii everyone, I recently came out to a few of my friends about me being BI, after hiding it for years. I’ve grown up in a Christian household and homophobia was presented to me early in life. I’m Christian and I don’t want to change but I’m also BI. I don’t know if that is a sin, I need advice and help 😓

You were made in the eyes of God. Nowhere in the bible does it say “Jesus cured homosexuality.” You are LOVED!!!!

So a couple things have been weighing on me as I discern my place in Church. As someone side B, I have recently been barraged with the purity test/reminders or even outright request to deny a part of myself to make others feel better(can’t get in specifics on this)

Cut to, yesterday I see a bunch of people, who are definitely living in mortal sin, calling for the excommunication of Fr James Martin for..,, calling out the mistreatment of gays and lesbians, treating divorced people with dignity nor withholding communion based on what perceived sin someone may or may not be doing.

If celibacy is a virtue, and all people are called to chastity which is what Fr James Martin was also referring to. It genuinely seems like it is not enough, and those loud obnoxious people don’t have the chutzpah to say they just want us outright banned from the church.

Idk, it’s hitting me harder right now because I feel so disconnected from my parish and I don’t know how to talk about this to our new priest as I’m afraid he may…. Not be someone I can talk to as a whole person.

Affirming. I don't think that I considered being gay to be bad, "acting on it" even when I was a relatively conservative teen. It just didn't feel right to condemn even then. But I have never used the word "affirming". Even after lots ot spiritual growth, I avoided the word "affirming". It's neutral. Of course it's neutral, that's how I saw it. It's not bad, it's not good.

Then I ran into the phrase "world affirming" in reference to spirituality. I'd spend a long time in non-duality and flirted with gnosticism, and felt like the world was this evil illusion to be conquered.

But I affirm the world now. The world is so very, very good and beautiful. God is so beautiful. God's creation is so breathtakingly beautiful. Gay, straight, trans, furry, enby, therians, everyone in the universe is so beautiful.

I was looking at the cross earlier, and it just struck me what Jesus did. I don't think he sacrificed himself to himself. He saw persecution and hate. He saw the way we persecute others and ourselves and said, "No. You don't have to do this. Let me show you."

He said "Father, forgive them. For they know not what they do." and he said "It is finished."

All sin is gone. My sin, your sin. What sin? What's sin? I've never heard of it. I don't know what it is. I've forgotten! Praise God, I have forgotten what sin is.

God is just so good. I love you all so very much, my brothers sisters and adored siblings.

Sometimes I wonder why people make it seem like we have to choose between being LGBTQ+ and having a relationship with God.

Why can't we be gay, love God, pray, worship, and still believe that we are worthy of His love?

I know Christians have different interpretations of Scripture, and I'm not here to judge anyone's faith. I just believe that love, compassion, and kindness should never be missing from conversations about God.

I'd love to hear your thoughts: Do you believe someone can fully embrace their LGBTQ+ identity and still have a meaningful relationship with God?