Comments on: genderqueer hyena with a victim complex

By: WenWhit

WenWhit — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:42:45 +0000

Damn, T! You continue to amaze me with your ability to express so clearly and beautifully your thoughts on the hypocrisy of many supposed Christians and their “dislike” of gays. Kudos, girl, and thank you.

By: tentimesfast

tentimesfast — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 08:06:21 +0000

“Dislikeful” may very well be my new favorite thing to say! Loved the essay and the blog-tacular followup.

By: Martin

Martin — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 21:49:58 +0000

I loved your piece. I am a “cradle Episcopalian” – born into it, baptized at six weeks, confirmed at age 11 – and while I no longer adhere to the religious principles of any Christian church, I adore the Episcopalians. I grew up in a church littered with Gays, however quietly they whispered the love which Does Not Speak Its Name. Realizing that I was not the Only One through my church’s congregation was fairly powerful and decidedly affirming when I was fifteen years old.

I’m glad most people responded positively. I would be truly heartbroken if the moderation I’ve always loved my church for went the way of the dinosaur.

Thank you for writing about this.

By: Shauna

Shauna — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 19:22:43 +0000

Hey, T-
A fantastic post. (I agree with Janet that your brights-flashing theme was a great choice.)
Since my leaving the Nazarene church at 15 (albeit after only a year as an attendee), I’ve often had my disappointment in Christianity reinforced by the seeming ubiquity of narrow-mindedness and hypocrisy among its professed believers.
The most Christ-ian people I’ve known in my life–i.e., those who exhibit a generosity of spirit, open-mindedness, love of peace and truth–have quite often been folks such as yourself, who place themselves firmly in other-than-Christian camps.
It’s nice to see from the discussion your post has engendered, that there are plenty of Christians out there who keep loving hearts and open minds and live the daily struggle to embody all the best that Jesus said and was.
AMEN!

By: Janet

Janet — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 14:07:14 +0000

This is a well written post and I love the flashing the lights analogy to kick it all off. You would think in 2008 we’d be far more progressive, but some of us still have a long way to go, it seems.

By: ginny

ginny — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 04:54:10 +0000

ZOMG, that was a good and joyful thing to read.

You’re right to toss the vitriolic not-like away and not let it have any power. Sometimes I think some of the problems we’ve had in the Episcopal Church come from being too nice to not-nice people for too long, hoping to keep everybody in the big crotchety-Gothic tent.

Your piece did get a lot “play” on a lot of sites in Anglican/Episcopalian Blogaria, I kept running across links everywhere. It was inevitable that you’d come in for some attention from the sort of folks who set up Google searches looking for items to be outraged about with all their not-likeful friends.

It’s kind of like being freeped, but with hell and damnation thrown in at no charge. Good for you bringing something positive away from this.

By: Gunfighter

Gunfighter — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 02:28:09 +0000

We Lutherans… at least many of us, are with you, too, Teresa…. don’t ever for get it!

All are welcome.

By: Sporks

Sporks — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 16:23:53 +0000

It’s been really amazing following this from the sidelines. One thing that has impressed me is that you’ve been able to take the positive reaction as a way of cutting down fences–driving down a different street with your brights on, as it were (to badly mix metaphors).

The whole thing has sliced the interwebs much more broadly. People (regardless of political bent), it seems to me–as we head toward the 2008 election– should try to do the same.

By: Michael Cudney

Michael Cudney — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 15:49:27 +0000

Thanks again for providing us with your support and friendship. You should know that the meanness and smallmindedness of those at the ‘Traditional Anglicanism’ site is just a symptom of the fact that they’re losing. That they cannot provide legitimate arguments for discrimination and exclusion means they must resort to petty reactions to things like appearance.
Be well and may 2008 bring you much joy.

By: Lisa Fox

Lisa Fox — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 14:26:07 +0000

Count me among those who are very grateful for your Advocate essay. As you may have noted, a mainstream Episcopal group comprised mostly of straight Episcopalians also linked to your essay with gratitude.

As Ann and Josh already said here, the vitriolic camp really is a small minority in our church, and I’m sorry they tried to verbally mug you. (I’ve received the same treatment at their hands.) One of the great ironies to me is that those folks claim that, in its progressive stance, the Episcopal Church is “bowing to the prevailing culture.” Well, if acceptance of GLBTs has become prevalent in our culture, then that surely should have been the top story of 2007!

Blessings to you —
Lisa