Out of college and working in New York City, I lived in a walkup apartment in a restored brownstone in Chelsea. Chelsea was then in the early stages of redevelopment and those of us who chose to live there were definitely stepping outside the norm.
My next door neighbor was a guy, and we soon discovered that we shared a love for the ballet and exploring one museum or another on Sunday afternoons. Not only did we have common interests, he was quite good looking and I thanked my lucky stars for having aligned so positively.
After several weeks of being acquainted, he invited me to a party at his place. I was the first to arrive and as guests sauntered in, they were all male. I thought nothing more than again how lucky I was to meet so many attractive guys who were interesting and good conversationalists.
At some point during the evening my neighbor called me aside and said he wanted me to meet his friends as a way of letting me know who he was. Seeing my puzzled look, he simply announced that he was gay as were his friends. That was my introduction to a sexual preference that was different from mine, and because I had already established a relationship with him it made no difference to me. I only felt a slight pang of regret that he and his friends were not dating material! What they turned out to be were wonderful companions during the time I lived in New York.
Why am I telling you this story? Thanks to such a positive experience, I’ve never had any bias toward homosexuals and have looked on them only as people. Some have become friends, and their chosen lifestyle matters not a whit to me. Those who have chosen permanent relationships and have children who experience life with two dads or two moms are among those who I admire the most.
All this being said, I am heartbroken that at the just concluded Methodist conference gay clergy and same sex marriages were rejected. Like other Christian denominations, the Methodist church is founded on the teachings of Jesus who was so inclusive, especially when it came to the disenfranchised. I may be wrong, but I don’t remember him condemning anyone for their gender or sexuality. Were Jesus here today to witness what is going on among Christians, I believe his heart would be bleeding.
Thankfully, my church, St. Paul’s UMC in Houston, is open and accepting, and I don’t know what the conference decision means to its future or to that of others with differing views. As St. Paul’s and its members move forward, I hope it and they will be a shining example of love and acceptance in a world that is continually challenged.
In the ten years I have been blogging, I rarely express personal opinions or address controversial issues, but this time it’s important for me to say what I feel. We are all God’s people, created in His image, and that is how I try to view humankind even with all its warts. However our opinions may vary, I will try to be respectful of those that differ from my own and to have the courage to speak for what I believe.
Lulu's Musings 
Amen. I salute you Lulu.
Thank you so much for your post! As a gay Christian, it means a lot to have that kind of love and support! You rock ❤
If voices stay strong, change will come. I am hopeful.
Very nice post
I agree completely. With your sentiments. Although it is unfortunate that many so called Christians have misunderstood what Christ stood for, the last word hasn’t been written. Mary in Colorado
I hope you are right about the last word not having been written. Thank you for your comment.
Well said, Lulu. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thanks Amanda. It’s time we move on to more important issues.
Agreed 🙂
Well said!
Hi .I have a brother one of my favorites Matt who’s been with Ken for 21 years…married for 4 . They have a very good relationship…and I love them both. I think it’s really about love and fear of change…for the ones that are still dragging their feet. I’m glad you spoke your words as well. That’s the only way it will change . I ‘ve always told my daughter Anna lucia that we have to say our words..So important. My dad didn’t understand until two gay men bought a house down the block fixed it up and started to have neighborhood parties..and then he said he understood. Which I was glad because Matt’s his son. And it was never an issue in my family. I did laugh at your story…I’ve actually asked a few men out in my day…and they were both gay..In the end we became good friends. funny uh?
Amen, Linda. In my profession in the graphics area of journalism, I was fortunate to know and work with so many gay and lesbian people of talent and kindness. Even today, living in the buckle of the Bible Belt, many of our friends are same sex couples. There is no discrimination among our group of open minded friends. We are who we are. Why would I even care about their sexual identity when I value them as comrads and soul mates. Getting away from our small town—in some ways, small minded town—helped us grow in ways too many of our classmates never did.
Loved your honesty and vulnerability. Well said!
Well said. We all have “warts” of our own. If those warts lead to loving our fellow human beings how can that be wrong?
Thanks for your important observations during this week of such sad and shocking news with the UMC. It has been quite a blow to inclusivity of our gay brothers and sisters.
Thank you so much for your opinion, I agree 100% and am glad that you used your platform for this issue!
I have many gay friends and never thought anything about it – EVER! Well said and a very acceptable piece of writing leads the way, Linda.
All I can say is Amen!!!!
My feelings exactly.
I am glad to know that.
Well said Linda. 😘 Susan
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Thank you. My heart is hurting.
Thanks for posting this Lulu! I totally agree with you and am happy to see folks talking about this important issue. By the way, I love the Lady Gaga quote.
Thank you, Kathrin. It’s beyond me why in this day and age one’s sexuality is an issue. There are more important things for us to be thinking about.
Great post! Agree 100 percent / the only thing I might differ with you is the phrase “ lifestyle choice” / I believe as Lady Gaga says “ born this way” . I appreciate your views and commend you choosing to address this in your blog! Bravo!
You are right, Marcia. As my friend explained, he never had a choice. My saying lifestyle choice was meant to refer to marriage, but I didn’t make that clear. Thanks for reading and responding.