Gay Young People in the Country
Published by Matt Glover June 20th, 2006 in Articles of Interest, Questions of FaithThe rainbow flag is a symbol of gay pride. I have one on my office window.
Not because I am gay, but because I think young people that struggle with issues of sexuality get a pretty rough time. They can be isolated from their family, their school and their workplace and end up feeling very alone and isolated. Often we in the church haven’t helped them that much.
The way I read the gospels, Jesus seemed to make a special effort to embrace those that missed out on community in his time. In our time, the gay or lesbian young person misses out on community in the same way.
I think Jesus would make a special effort to embrace them - that’s why the rainbow flag is one my window. I want young people to feel like they are free to come into my office and talk about whatever they want, without their sexuality being the topic of conversation or even an issue. And over the years the flag has been there, the number of young people that have come to chat because of it is staggering.
Anyway, I share all this because of an article that appears in todays paper about gay and lesbian people in rural areas. While it’s hard in the city, in closer knit rural areas it seems almost impssible to find support if you are gay or lesbian.
It’s not a ministry of any church, but I think Jesus would love it.
Thank God for you Matt! I think putting that sticker up on your office window speaks volumes about the kind of person you are. It says to me that you’re the kind of man who will stand up, reach out and love people in the name of Jesus regardless of whether it’s popular or could be frowned upon by the establishment. Keep it up man!