Posts by pwsbuilder
The Conversion Of A Teenage Homophobe
Having been raised in a small, conservative church in the Midwest, I was instilled with the notion that there was a clear distinction between “us” and “them.” There were certain people who were perceived as threatening to the true Christian faith. Liberals, atheists, pacifists, and city folks were often mentioned, but there was a special…
Read MoreLiving Non-Binary: Taking A Leap Of Faith
When I first came out to my friends and loved ones as a non-binary trans person, I was forced to take a leap of faith I really wasn’t sure I wanted to take. I didn’t yet have the language to well describe my experience, who I was becoming, or how people could better understand what…
Read MoreWhat My Momma Saw
As a younger man I would have questioned someone’s sanity if they told me they saw in my future the experiences I am living now. I had not imagined that there would be a life in ministry for me, when I had decided not only to accept my sexuality, but to live in that truth…
Read MoreHolding Out Hope For The Presbyterian Church
Here we go: I am one of those women who has been planning her wedding since before she started dating. My Pinterest board can attest to this. I wanted a long, lace,appropriately modest dress and calla lillies. Since I am a product of the church, I have also dreamed about having the pastor that I…
Read MoreHistoric Day For LGBT Elders? We’ll See!
Walking into the Eisenhower Office Building in the White House complex on February 10, I realized that I was crossing what has the potential to be a historic threshold for the LGBT community. I was entering a full day meeting with Obama administration officials around the issue of LGBT aging and, more specifically, affordable housing…
Read MoreFor Little Bay: When Discrimination Impacts Our Children
A year ago, when the Rowse-DeBoer marriage equality case was heard in a federal court in Detroit, I joined marriage equality supporters picketing in front of the courthouse. There I was lucky enough to meet Jami and Krista, a lovely same-sex couple who have since become parents and celebrities (but not in a good way).…
Read MoreA Road Map Beyond Black History Month
Black History Month (which kicked off on Feb. 1) became a national annual observance in 1926. The goal of the month is to honor and celebrate the achievements of African-Americans. If Dr. Carter Woodson, the Father of Black History, were alive today, he would be proud of the tenacity of the African American community. It…
Read MoreFasting Toward Reconciliation This Lenten Season
An oily black smudge on my forehead and my fingers looking like they’d cleaned a chimney were the indicators Ash Wednesday night that Lent had officially begun. The 40 days of Lent require fasting for the ones who claim to be followers—disciples—of Jesus. Fasting in westernized Christianity suggests that we give up something, that we…
Read MoreHow To Spread The Gospel After Marriage Equality
A year and a half ago, I was asked by a couple from Alabama to perform their wedding. These two women had been together for 26 years, but never foresaw the opportunity have their state recognize their marriage. They were Sacred Harp singers who were going to come to Minnesota for our September singing convention.…
Read MoreWhat Happened When My Son Came Out As Gay
When my husband and I became parents for the first time, we knew this new role would change our lives forever. Our Catholic faith told us that we had been given the opportunity to become co-creators with God. Gazing into that innocent face helped us to realize that the unconditional love that we felt for…
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