One of the features of being in foster care for many, especially in the ’70s and ’80s, was there was no contact with the birth family to be had. Depending on family circumstances, that can be a good or bad thing. But the result is
Dear Bro, This month I found myself realizing I am not totally out of the closet yet. I know those that know me know I am a lesbian, but what I realized last week was that I’m still in the closet when it comes to
It makes a lot of sense that Being young and queer in quarantine, a transgender meditation on the Beatitudes, and a suburban lesbian’s letters to her brother after coming out in middle age are just three of the latest contributions from Whosoever writers sharing their
I’m beautiful in my way ‘cause God makes no mistakes I’m on the right track baby, I was born this way … No matter gay, straight, or bi, lesbian, transgender life I’m on the right track baby, I was born to survive. (Lady Gaga, “Born
“I feel like I’m undercover in my own home, waiting to be discovered for who I truly am.” These are the words of my peer — let’s call them “Ollie” — who lives in a constant state of anxiety and paranoia since they have returned
God’s community comes to one like me On a recent Sunday I had the opportunity to preach on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12) at First Christian Church of Decatur (Ga.), where I am serving as an intern as part of my seminary studies at Candler School
Dear Bro, I have been thinking and I have been sharing about my coming out, being outed by someone else or just dealing with when one might come out. What I haven’t shared is what it is like to be in the closet. Being in
When I came out of the closet, I was in my mid-30’s and quite involved in a conservative Christian church. It wasn’t customary to hear positive things being said from the pulpit about the LGBTQ+ crowd. In fact, it was sternly preached as ungodly and
Dear Bro, What is coming out? Telling someone that I am different from the norm. Most people look at someone and immediately determine if they are female or male. If I am in a winter coat with one of my baseball caps on, I get
‘Naked Pastor’ David Hayward on waterfalls, leaving religion, cartooning Listen to the podcast interview It was a dream about a waterfall that finally gave David Hayward the peace of mind he needed after leaving his career as a pastor in 2010 after almost 30 years