Dear Editor,
I am a member of the “underground” LGBT support group here on campus. It is a group of LGBT Christians that meet every week to just get together and be ourselves without fear of having to defend ourselves to others that may not agree with us. The point of this isn’t to argue for or against being LGBT and Christian. That is something that all of us have reconciled with ourselves and our Lord Jesus Christ. The point of this is to let you all know that, to put it bluntly, we’re here, we’re queer, and we aren’t exactly feeling the love from this community. Houghton is supposed to be a place where everyone can feel the love of God, that is, everyone unless you happen to have an LGBT identity.
Despite what you may have heard, there is a significant LGBT community here on campus who have found “community” together. Yet, outside of our group, we are the outsiders. People don’t understand us, and often times don’t really want to sit down and get to a point of understanding. Yes, we are LGBT, but we are more importantly children of God. Just because you don’t agree or support LGBT rights and actions doesn’t make it your job to suddenly become a theological expert on social media concerning the matter. Being LGBT is a part of our lives, but that does not, however, make it a huge topic in order to be our friend or simply even be friendly. We too are people, and bashing us does not get you or us closer to God. Growth and understanding takes time, and it isn’t easy or pain free, but inflicting more pain or adding fuel to the fire makes it so much worse for those of us who are already feeling like outsiders.
Colossians 3:14 reminds us of the importance of love and unity “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Signed,
Elizabeth Knight ‘16
