**Author's note:  I've heard it said on more than one occasion that the current equal rights movement is similar to that of the plight of women in this country before the 1920s.  As my great great grandmother was a teenager during one of the most troubling and horrifying times for women in the United States, I can tell you, her story is nothing less than a tragedy turned miracle.  I can only pray that the current movement learns from those women, and that we, as the LGBT+ community, can enjoy the same outcome. For those of you who don't know much about the Women's Rights movement, allow me to relate some of the history my maternal progeny experienced first hand.

If you think its tough being gay in the 21st century, you couldn't have survived as a woman before 1920. Women back then, were more or less, still considered property.  It wasn't until one group of women stepped up and said, enough is enough. Suffragists began picketing the White House during the Wilson Administration, stating emphatically that President Woodrow Wilson was against women.  This, of course, came after they protested his campaign for president and his election.  Many of you remember people like Susan B. Anthony, Joan of Arc, and Lady Godiva as popular icons of Women's Liberation, but do you remember Lucy Burns?  She was a friend of my great great grandmothers during the late 1910s, and was one of 33 women who were later imprisoned for their protest of Woodrow Wilson.  She (great great grandmother) wasn't with them, she was fighting her own battles in rural west Tennessee, but their story is one my great grandmother remembered well.

                It was hot. It was probably the hottest day of the year. It wasn’t eighty degrees. It was ninety degrees. The sweat in the air seemed to make it even worse. This was the type of day that made you want to watch television. This type of day made you want to go swimming with friends. It was the kind of day in which you could only think about the night and how beautiful it was going to be outside. I wish I would have had a ping pong table in the basement or a pool in the back yard. A bunch of friends is want I wanted. I wanted so many things but it was difficult because there were other obstacles. So many obstacles.

                My mother was out in the living room snoring and I was tired of Facebook arguments and games. I was tired of being online and I had been up late already the night before. I didn’t want to get my mom upset at me by waking her up and plus she had the TV blaring. If I had changed the channel she would have woken up. So instead of waking the beast of burden I stayed in my room with nothing to do.

If you would like to drive together.........contact me at scottandhope@sbcglobal.net

This is the last time Dr. Pearson is scheduled to be in California this year.  If you know anyone who would benefit from attending this workshop, please pass it along.  As you know this material is extremely well researched.

Christianity & Homosexuality
Reconciled
Workshop

Experience a break through in a safe space!

This FREE workshop will answer all your questions about the Christian faith and lesbian, gay, bisexual and Transgender people.(Free lunch provided)

Who should attend?
Christian lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders who nee a firmer understanding of how the Bible does not condemn them.

Straight family members  and friends who want to learn more about these issues and support their loved ones.

Nonchristian lesbian, gays, bisexuals and transgenders who would like to learn why many conservative Christian groups oppose  gay marriage and how to address these issues on a cultural basis. 

Church ministers and members who might like their church to become more LGBT-friendly. (This format is very interactive and allows participants to ask questions in a safe environment)

Sponsored by
Freedom In Christ Church of San Francisco
Facilitated by Rev. Joseph A. Pearson, Ph.D.

Date: July 31, 2010
Location:St. Mark's Lutheran Church,  1031 Franklin St.                                                   

(Parking is Free)San Francisco, CA (Lower Level Fellowship Hall)
Time:10am to 4pm

Questions? 415-970-8149

Too often, most of us tend to go through life taking small things for granted: our friends, our family, and all the good things that should truly matter. It’s unfortunate, but many times we don’t realize how much we loved something or someone until they’re gone. In that sense, life can have a bittersweet way of bringing things full circle at times.

For anyone who didn’t know Nathan Christofferson, he was a prominent activist in California fighting for equality within the LGBT community. Volunteering as a chapter leader for Equality California (though offered a job as a field rep.), he was well known throughout the state, even making friends with one of his favorite icons- Margaret Cho. Sadly, at the age of 27, Nathan passed away. Being a victim of workplace discrimination and coming from a Christian family whom loved him dearly (yet struggled to accept his sexuality), Nathan was working to bridge a gap between a community full of hypocrisy and for those led astray from the true unconditional love of Christ.

As I write this, it seems somewhat taboo to be writing for a gay column yet at the same time tie in the phrase “the love of Christ”. I ask myself, why does it seemingly have to be this way? Perhaps it’s just my jaded perception of organized religion, or perhaps it’s because I know all too well how easily even those with faith can be led astray. By now I’m sure there are readers who have a bitter taste even thinking of religion or the search for God, but I’m also certain there are those with a mustard seed of faith- who may need the reassurance that they are loved by a higher power. One thing I remember best about Nathan was that he knew and practiced the art of loving unconditionally; a virtue anyone, religious or not, should possess.      

Although it’s been five years since his death, Nathan remains in the heart of his friends and family. He was my best friend, and in my eyes a martyr used by God to show those of us that knew him, the depths of his and God’s unconditional love for all people. For whatever reason, he spent the last moments of his life (with me) praying; as if he knew his time had come. I had never experienced the pain of losing someone I loved so much. Following his death, I was contacted by a few national journalists, but in my heart I knew it would be best if someday I wrote what I felt Nathan would have wanted everyone to know (so here I am). If there was one thing Nathan would want everyone to know, it would be that they were loved by someone, whether they believe it or not. He is missed and loved by many, but I also know that his death was merely his beginning. In remembrance of the fifth anniversary of his death and National Gay Pride month, I am truly grateful for the people who have fought and continue to fight for equal rights in the name of love.

Nathan Christofferson was also a contributing journalist for GayFresno.com- if you would like to read more about his life, you can use a search engine for articles in a number of nation-wide magazines regarding his death (though I urge you to take what is written about his family with a grain of salt) – Fabian F.

Shit shit shit were my thoughts as I stood there. Why me? Why now. This was the anxiety that kept running through my brain in the locker room. Andrew stood to my right. He was tall and skinny. He put off gym another year as much as I wanted to. He had these big eyes and his body was rather white. He was my friend though. We always talked with each other. Usually we discussed how we hated gym.

        To my far right there was someone I was secretly attempting not to keep my eye on. I really tried my best not to look as we all started undressing for swimming. I had my eyes in front of me staring into the locker. I was going crossed eyed as I started undressing. I kept my eyes forward as I dressed so I wouldn’t be tempted by the devil to look at Bryan who was probably now butt naked on my right. Nearly tripping as I bent over to pull up my swim trunks my eyes slip only to the left to see Andrew and his philosophy hanging out. Embarrassed and disturbed I wish I had looked to the other way to see Zeus philosophy!

My name is Maria I am 26 years of age. I was born in Mexico, I came to the USA when I was ten. I come from a very strong religious background and you already guess yes I am Catholic.

Well I always knew I had no interest in guys what so ever unless they were friends. Well through high school I never dated anyone just because I was too afraid to come and out and hear people talk about me since I come from a small town around the Fresno county. It wasn't until my senior year in high school that I meet the first girl that I fell for. We had a great time talking, the chemistry was there. I couldn’t deny it even if I tried, we dated for five years which, yes, it’s a long time. I broke up with her. Things were just not working out.

I was single for two years and didn’t really want to date. Until one night I met the most beautiful girl, we started talking and little by little she won me over or I won her over, we haven’t decided on that until this day. I've been with her for almost two years now and I've never been happier.

When things started to get serious with her I knew I had to come out and let my parents know I was GAY since my brothers and sisters knew about it already and they supported me. It was a week before my 24th birthday I called my parents and invited them to dinner. My mom was somewhat suspicious on why I would want to take them out to dinner. It took me about two days to convince them to come over so we can go to dinner. We ate dinner at Famous Dave’s. On our way to my apartment I told my little sister I am going to need you to go inside the apartment, I need to talk to mom and dad. But of course she wanted to know why. I told her don’t worry it has nothing to do with you, just do as I say. Then the moment of true came ahhhhhh

Me: Mom, Dad I need to talk to you guys.

Mom: About what?