There is Divine Peace in Being LGBTQ+
When ex-gay proponents talk about “leaving LGBT,” they are often alluding to the notion that they left behind not only their perceived sexual immorality, but also their personal vices. People have joined ex-gay ministries and undoubtedly left behind abusive relationships, addictions, and self-destructive behaviors.
“Within Shalom there is wholeness, wholeness in integrating our sexuality and gender identity with our faith. Within Shalom there is peace, peace with who God made us to be in our innermost being as LGBTQ+ individuals.”
Individuals are made to believe that their character flaws, mental health struggles, and regrets in life all stem from being LGBTQ+. In reality, unhealthy aspects of their life could still be present if they were cisgender, heterosexual individuals. Even worse, some of those issues may have never manifested had the Church not shamed and placed unrealistic expectations on them in the first place. “LGBTQ+ lifestyle,” which is conflated with simply identifying as being LGBTQ+, has become an easy scapegoat for explaining why people experience suffering.
Romans 12:2 tells us, “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Christ’s love for us transforms and renews us so that we may live in Peace or Shalom with God, our neighbor and ourselves.
Straight or LGBTQ+, our faith compels us to cast off what holds us in unhealthy patterns and damages our relationships, because we are inspired to act more like Jesus and pursue what is good and acceptable and perfect. Within Shalom there is wholeness, wholeness in integrating our sexuality and gender identity with our faith. Within Shalom there is peace, peace with who God made us to be in our innermost being as LGBTQ+ individuals.
If you’re interested in diving deeper into some of the many ethical and theological values held throughout our community, we encourage you to read our Affirmation Guide for Sexuality & Spirituality featuring Rev. Tonetta Landis-Aina. Click here to read it!
