Through some fellow Wheaton alumni I follow on Twitter, I found out last Friday about an alumni group that went to Wheaton's campus and circulated a letter affirming the full dignity of every human being regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Their website is here.
Reading the letter broke my heart, because I can't imagine the pain that LBGTQ Christians must feel. I can't imagine how bad it must hurt to be told that your identity is tragic, broken, and sinful.
I did get a taste a few months ago, when I was with a group of what happened to be Wheaton alums. Someone made a comment that she could not imagine marrying anyone with children. That opinion is perfectly valid, and I respect it, even though I chose to marry someone who already has children. But the conversation devolved into a hurtful critique of the decision to date and marry an individual with children. I was so shocked and hurt that I didn't speak up, and my tears afterward when I was with Manuel were not only from pain, but from anger with myself for not speaking up.
What happened to me is absolutely nowhere comparable to the situations that LBGTQ Christians face every day, but just seeing a glimpse of the hurt and rejection that Christians can (often unwittingly) so aptly deliver has made me realize that I need to do a better job of supporting those on the margins.
I was so wrapped up in my own little world at Wheaton (and still very much am today), so I wish that I would have had the wherewithal to speak up alongside my brothers and sisters who were hurting then. Therefore I'm speaking up today, as an alum. I've added my name to the list, and am looking for more ways to support than simply being a signatory. Who's with me?!
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