Positively Religious

[rug]

By Allen B.
From The Body

November 23, 2011

For our World AIDS Day 2011 section, we wanted to capture the diversity of the AIDS community. So, we reached out to people across the world -- regular contributors and those who have never written for us before -- and asked them to guest blog. These columns are written by people who are living with HIV, have been affected by HIV, or work in the field.

Growing up in church and being gay was one thing. But when I was diagnosed as being HIV positive in October 2009, I had no place to run but to God. I could not disclose to my mother or any other family member because I didn't want to deal with the judgmental stares and looks and the sounds of self pity. I didn't want anyone feeling sorry for me or the mistakes that I had made. For that reason I did not disclose to my family and as of now I have not yet. I eventually will in the future.

As soon as I found out that I was positive, I didn't tell anyone for like a day or two. I happened to tell a friend; he called me right away and comforted me. In church I held my status as a secret for two months until I finally got the courage to tell my pastor on his birthday. Bad timing on my part, but the thought of needing spiritual support was eating me up inside. Being gay is one thing in the black community but being gay in church is a no-no -- except when the church has no members, and they find the first gay off the street to make up the praise team and the musician staff -- then it's OK, but still a no-no. Gay is tolerated if it comes with talent, but is not tolerated if you are a pew warmer.

Being HIV positive in church is another story. Being gay in church is the topic of gossip, but let someone come up as being HIV positive; then it becomes a whole other conversation. "Well they deserved it for living an immoral life," and "God hates the homosexual." Who in their right mind would want to disclose in that type of environment of people?

http://www.thebody.com/content/64856/positively-religious.html

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

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[Thats my opinion]

2. A church that does not welcome and embrace

Gays, and people with AIDS, does not welcome Christ.

I have been fortunate to have served "open and affirming"congregations in Washington (DC) Chicago and Missouri. I would not be part of any church that was not. Every day there are more churches that no only welcome but stand with. The internet has a long lists of Gay friendly congregations--hundreds and hundreds of them.

[laconicsax]

3. Isn't it all a matter of interpretation?

A church not welcoming gays may do so because it believes that to be Christ's will. How are they, in their sincere desire to fulfill Christ's will, not welcoming Christ?